COP28's Rocky Road to a Final Declaration - Climate Summit Extended into Overtime
As predicted, the World Climate Change Conference in Dubai witnessed an unexpected extension on Tuesday, pushing back the conclusion of the nearly 200 participating states' meeting. Conference President Sultan al-Jaber from the United Arab Emirates initially aimed to wrap up the gathering at 11 a.m. local time (08 a.m. CET). However, the strife over a final text persisted.
Monday evening saw Al-Jaber, who also serves as head of the state oil company, offer a draft that left EU leaders, the German government, along with dozens of other nations, unsatisfied and displeased. Furthermore, environmental organizations voiced their discontent, calling for improvements in the draft text.
Clash Over Final COP28 Declaration
The source of discontent stemmed from the fact that the original draft no longer included the phase-out of coal, oil, and gas, demanded by over 100 countries. This discrepancy flew in the face of previous versions.
The UN meeting, featuring around 97,000 attendees, started on November 30.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock assured that an extension wouldn't pose any hindrances for the European delegation, "We have time. And we are prepared to stay a little longer," said the Green politician.
Reservations Arise
A group of countries, including oil-rich Saudi Arabia, along with China, Iraq, India, and Russia, recently expressed reservations against an immediate decision on phasing out fossil fuels.
Worth a Look
Breathe Room Provided
The extension of the Climate summit in Dubai presents an opportunity for countries, such as Germany, to press their interests into the final declaration. Despite initial concerns voiced by the European delegation regarding the draft text presented by Conference President Sultan al-Jaber, the crux of the Climate summit remains fixed on concluding a final declaration that tackles climate change issues, including the phase-out of coal, oil, and gas.
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The extended COP28 conference in Dubai serves as a platform for nations, including Germany, to advocate for improvements in the final declaration. While the draft text, presented by Conference President Sultan al-Jaber, left EU leaders and environmental organizations disgruntled, the primary goal of the summit remains unchanged: producing a final declaration that addresses climate change matters, including the phase-out of coal, oil, and gas.
Enrichment Data
COP28 Conference Background
COP28, held from November 30 to December 12, 2023, in Dubai, was a significant event in the climate change battle. The UAE Presidency aimed to unite the world in delivering actionable solutions to the climate crisis, focusing on accelerating the energy transition, reducing fossil fuel emissions, and increasing renewable energy use.
The conference outlined four key pillars: fast-tracking a responsible and equitable energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on people, nature, lives, and livelihoods, and fostering inclusivity.
Additionally, the conference aimed to assess progress in combating climate change and set a comprehensive response to the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, closing existing gaps to achieve the 1.5°C temperature goal.
COP28 Outcomes
The conference called for tripling renewable energy capacity worldwide by 2030 and doubling energy efficiency to reduce global average solar energy costs and make solar energy economically competitive with fossil fuels.
The UAE Presidency encouraged phasing out fossil fuel emissions, prioritizing a renewable energy system free from unabated fossil fuels by mid-century while avoiding an economic crisis or energy squeeze. The conference also addressed Scope 3 emissions, which are emissions from the use and consumption of fossil fuels.
However, the specific phase-out timeline for coal, oil, and gas was not detailed in the COP28 outcomes.
