COP28: Last Chance to Limit Global Warming to 1.5 Degrees
John Kerry, the US climate envoy, sees COP28 as the world's final opportunity to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, despite the draft's limitations. This view stems from the UN's projection that global warming could exceed 2.8 degrees by the end of the century.
Kerry emphasizes the need for substantial fossil fuel phase-out amidst the climate crisis, but COP28 President Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber's new draft no longer includes a global phase-out of all fossil fuels. Germany and the EU have rejected the draft, eliciting alarm from climate and development organizations.
Fossil Fuel Phase-Out Efforts and Challenges
The UAE Presidency's plan aims to phase out fossil fuel emissions, prioritize a fossil-free energy system, and halve direct emissions from the oil and gas industry by mid-century. The agenda also aims to triple renewable energy capacity worldwide by 2030, potentially making solar energy economically competitive with fossil fuels.
However, challenges persist. China argues that a complete phasing-out of fossil fuels is not realistic due to the intermittent nature of renewable energy and the immaturity of energy storage technology. Many countries have missed their deadlines to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, which are crucial for limiting global warming.
The Role of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
The EU President and the COP28 Presidency launched a global pledge to triple renewable energy generation and double the rate of energy efficiency improvements. This could lead to reduced solar energy costs, making it economically competitive with fossil fuels.
In the midst of these efforts and disputes, Kerry urges world leaders to seize this opportunity at COP28 to address climate change.
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