A heated debate over phasing out coal, oil, and gas is brewing at the World Climate Conference in Dubai. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged this shift away from fossil fuels during his visit to the UAE, sparking controversy with the conference host doubting the necessity of such a move for climate protection targets.
Environmental organizations and activists, including Fridays for Future, welcomed Scholz's call for a fossil fuel phase-out, but criticized the German government for contradicting the Paris Agreement by building new fossil fuel infrastructure and weakening the Climate Protection Act.
The controversy surrounding the phase-out is fierce, with countries such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iraq opposing it, which could make an agreement challenging. The prime minister of Tuvalu, a small island state at risk of climate change, called for an immediate halt on new drilling and swiftly phasing out all fossil fuels.
While the phase-out is controversial, the goal to triple energy generation from renewables worldwide by 2030 and doubling energy efficiency is widely supported. Countries like the UK and Germany aim to be carbon neutral by specific dates, even planning to ramp up nuclear power capacity to meet their energy needs.
The COP28 presidency, led by the United Arab Emirates, has defended the participation of Sultan Al-Jaber, who has expressed doubts about phasing out fossil fuels. Critics argue that Al-Jaber's role as head of a state oil company raises concerns about the conference's impartiality and commitment to combating climate change.
- The controversy centers around the necessity of a global phase-out of fossil fuels to achieve climate protection targets, with mixed opinions from various countries and groups.
- Climate activists, nations at risk due to climate change, and environmentally conscious countries are pushing for a shift away from fossil fuels, putting pressure on governments to make tangible commitments.
- Opposition from countries heavily reliant on fossil fuel exports and questions on the role of Sultan Al-Jaber, head of the state oil company, create challenges to achieving a consensus at the climate conference.
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- The current phase-out controversy at COP28 is influenced by various factors:
- Historic Mention: The final outcome text for the first time mentions fossil fuels as the primary cause of the climate crisis, signaling a shift in global attitudes towards renewables and phasing out fossil fuels.
- Loopholes: The COP28 text contains loopholes that the fossil fuel industry manipulated, such as the use of carbon capture and storage (CCS) to justify continued extraction.
- Lobbying Efforts: A substantial number of fossil fuel lobbyists, totaling around 2,456 attendees, have a considerable influence at the conference. Their presence highlights the industry's resistance to phase-out plans.
- Commitments from Countries and Groups: Countries like Germany and the UK are actively promoting phasing out fossil fuels by setting carbon neutrality targets and enhancing renewable energy capacities.
- Climate activists, such as Extinction Rebellion, are pressuring world leaders to take definitive actions on phasing out fossil fuels, resulting in global events and protests.
