"Fearing the End of an Era"
The COP28 conference may not have been a breakthrough, but it's crystal clear where we're headed, says climate expert Frauke Röser.
ntv.de wonders if Federal Foreign Minister Baerbock's optimism about sealing the end of the fossil age is justified. Or is it just wishful thinking with a purpose?
Frauke Röser, climate policy expert and founding member of the NewClimate Institute, is not impressed by COP28's results. While it's positive that all fossil fuels, including oil and gas, are mentioned in the final declaration, the absence of a commitment to phase out fossil fuels is concerning. Despite the criticism, Röser agrees that we're at the beginning of the end for coal, oil, and gas, as long as it happens quickly enough.
The Emirati Conference Presidency's Draft kissed the Dust
The draft for the final declaration presented by Emirati conference president Sultan al-Jaber on Monday evening left fans of ambitious climate policies cold. It appeared as if this was a negotiating maneuver to make the final declaration look better in comparison. But is this a successful bargain?
Climate Negotiations and the Oil Industry's Presence
With the oil industry still showing no signs of interest in abandoning fossil fuels, some question the point of a climate conference urging countries to turn away from fossil fuels. The Paris Agreement and the 1.5-degree target highlight the urgency of action, but progress remains slow.
Successes at COP28
Although COP28's overall results were mixed, one achievement deserves recognition: the agreement on the "Loss and Damage Fund," a fund for losses and damages caused by climate change. Developing countries, who have been calling for such a fund for years, recognized this as a significant victory.
The Final Declaration's Shortcomings
The final declaration of COP28 indicates that countries are emitting too much CO2 to achieve their self-imposed 1.5-degree target, invalidating the entire process. The unique presidency dual role and the geopolitical influence of Azerbaijan, the host of the next COP, adds complexity to the issue.
Climate Club: Germany's Contribution
Germany's climate club initiative, led by Federal Chancellor Scholz, has received mixed reviews. While the concept of an international forum is laudable, critics question its structure and goals.
OPEC's Lobbying during COP28
OPEC's appeal during COP28 for its member states to continue investing in fossil fuels caused quite a stir. Climate experts argue that its presence is an inevitable part of the negotiations, but they worry about the oil industry's influence on the process.
Fossil Fuel Nervousness
While some OPEC states may appear unruffled, climate experts like Röser feel a growing sense of nervousness. They're aware that their commodities' future demand is uncertain, which will force them to adapt their economies in the long term.
Enrichment Data:
- Despite the COP28 conference's mixed results, the international commitment to decarbonization is obvious. The COP28 final declaration's inclusion of a transition away from all fossil fuels is a crucial step.
- Climate experts believe that negotiations should focus on immediate actions to phase out fossil fuels and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
- While the failure to agree on a framework for international emissions trading is a setback, this does not diminish the importance of individual countries reducing their emissions to zero.
- The UAE Agreement, released during COP28, will further support global decarbonization progress by driving action to abandon fossil fuels.
