In an unprecedented move at the UN climate conference, the global community is urging for a shift away from fossil fuels, with over 100 nations advocating for a phase-out. However, the final agreement adopted in Dubai skirts around this demand, leaving room for continued use of gas and controversial technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS).
The United Arab Emirates, hosting the conference, published a robust 21-page action plan aiming to keep the 1.5-degree target within reach. This target, agreed internationally in 2015, aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times. Despite the pressing concerns raised by climate experts and environmentalists about the feasibility of this target, the plan sets out goals for tripling renewable energy capacities and doubling energy efficiency by 2030.
The call for phasing out fossil fuels has been a contentious topic at the conference. While many countries support this transition due to the role of fossil fuels in contributing to climate change, others, particularly those with significant fossil fuel reserves, challenge this shift. Economics and politics play crucial roles in this debate, with the transition to renewable energy sources requiring substantial financial and technological investments, as well as potential challenges to maintaining energy production levels and attracting foreign direct investment.
The lack of a clear phase-out in the final agreement can be attributed to these factors, as well as the diverse national interests and financial and technological gaps at the conference. As the world grapples with the critical climate situation, this outcome further emphasizes the need for more aggressive action and collective commitment to addressing climate change.
References:
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (n.d.). Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Retrieved November 22, 2022, from
- International Energy Agency. (2022). World Energy Investment 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from
- World Resources Institute. (2022). Global Carbon Budget 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from
- OECD. (2022). Foreign Direct Investment. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from
Enrichment Insights:
- Global greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels reached an all-time high of 37.4 billion tonnes in 2024, surpassing the 2023 figure by 0.8%.
- There is no evidence of a peak in global fossil fuel emissions, with no signs of a decrease in reliance on these energy sources. *Countries like the UK, Brazil, and the UAE announced ambitious plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but these strategies did not necessarily include phasing out fossil fuels directly.
- Economic and political pressures, as well as foreign direct investment, hinder the transition to renewable energy sources.
- The need for substantial financial and technological investments and technological development is key to achieving carbon neutrality by mid-century.
