World leaders at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai reached an agreement calling for a move away from fossil fuels in energy systems, marking a breakthrough after nearly three decades. The agreement is nonbinding and includes support for carbon capture technology and 'transitional fuels' such as natural gas. Critics argue that the deal is weak and insufficient, citing its caveats and loopholes.
China expressed optimism about reaching a climate deal at the United Nations summit in Dubai, despite opposition from OPEC to phasing out fossil fuels. OPEC, led by Saudi Arabia, called on its members to block a declaration that aimed to reduce the extraction of oil, coal, and gas. China, the world's largest oil importer, downplayed the disagreement and stated that it was working towards a solution acceptable to all parties. The Canadian climate minister and other ministers involved in the negotiations expressed confidence that the final text would address fossil fuels. However, the inclusion of fossil fuels in the text is still being debated, with the option to not mention them at all. Activists protested in front of OPEC's booth at the conference, advocating for a phase-out of fossil fuels. The negotiations are being led by ministers tasked with finding an agreement by Tuesday, the end of the summit. Some countries, such as the Marshall Islands, insist that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius requires an end to fossil fuels. Concerns have been raised about the lack of constructive engagement from some countries, while others are pushing against a phase-out of fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, Iraq and other oil-exporting countries at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai refuse to reduce or abandon fossil fuel usage. They face pressure from other countries demanding an end to the era of fossil fuels, although no specific timetable has been set. The Iraqi Minister of Environment argues that reducing or eliminating fossil fuels will disrupt the global economy and worsen inequality. The agreement reached at COP28 is seen as not marking the beginning of the end of the oil, gas, and coal era, despite their significant contribution to global warming.
Nauru and Samoa have joined the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, a coalition of countries calling for the phase-out of fossil fuel production. The treaty, inspired by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, aims to establish a negative normative context around fossil fuels. The treaty has gained significant international status, with 10 countries signing up this year and four joining at COP28. The fast-growing coalition is exerting pressure on negotiations at COP28. The treaty is supported by non-government groups, including the World Health Organization and the European Parliament. Oil, gas, and coal account for over 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, making efforts to limit these emissions a core focus at climate conferences. The Fossil Fuel Treaty's signatories include Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Niue, Timor-Leste, Antigua and Barbuda, Palau, Colombia, Samoa, and Nauru. The treaty's chair and founder, Tzeporah Berman, hopes to make inroads in Southeast Asia, where there is growing interest in the treaty as countries seek economic pathways aligned with their climate goals.
The draft agreement for the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit in Dubai has dropped the mention of a fossil fuel phase-out, using watered-down language on reducing planet-warming pollution. The draft calls on countries to take actions to reduce consumption and production of oil, coal, and gas, but climate experts criticize its vague language and lack of concrete timelines. Many countries, including Saudi Arabia, have opposed the inclusion of any reference to fossil fuels and may attempt to further weaken the text. Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore called the draft 'obsequious' and worse than expected. The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) has indicated that its members will not approve the agreement in its current form, criticizing the negotiations as lacking transparency and inclusivity. The draft agreement has also been criticized by the EU, the U.S. State Department, and climate experts for being insufficient and not addressing the problem adequately. However, some experts remain optimistic that the right ingredients for a fossil-free future are present in the draft. The COP28 agreement, hailed as the 'beginning of the end' for fossil fuels, has been criticized for its lack of ambition and inclusivity. John Silk, head of the delegation for the Republic of Marshall Islands, called the agreement a 'canoe with a weak and leaky hull, full of holes,' highlighting the urgent need for action due to the impacts of climate change on vulnerable island states. Jojo Mehta, CEO of Stop Ecocide International, emphasized the need for a new crime of ecocide recognized by the International Criminal Court to address the consequences of insufficient action. Despite the commitment to triple renewable energy and double energy efficiency by 2030, the deal failed to provide a clear signal on the phaseout of oil, gas, and coal. The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) expressed disappointment with the agreement, citing loopholes and the absence of language on human rights and Indigenous rights in relation to climate finance. While the deal is seen as a step forward, more needs to be done to achieve climate goals and scale up climate finance.
The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has called for a ban on advertising from fossil fuel companies, referring to them as the 'godfathers of climate chaos' who have greenwashed environmental issues. France has already banned fossil fuel ads, and a private member's bill in Canada's parliament has passed its first reading. In Australia, there is an ongoing inquiry into greenwashing, and several cities and regions in the UK and Europe have enacted similar ad bans. In New Zealand, Z Energy, the largest fossil fuel company, is facing legal action for breaching the Fair Trading Act. However, no local or regional councils in New Zealand have enacted ad bans, and major advertising and PR firms have not divested from fossil fuel clients. The advertising industry itself has shown support for Guterres' call, with industry professionals expressing climate anxiety and ethical concerns.
Environmental campaigners in New York are protesting against Citigroup (Citi) for its involvement in polluting businesses. The activists have launched a 'summer of heat' campaign, including protests, leafleting, and an online pressure campaign. The protesters gather at Citi's headquarters in Lower Manhattan every week, demanding a change in the bank's fossil fuel investments policy. The campaign was created by four activist groups in June, along with dozens of other groups. So far, nearly 600 people have been arrested at the New York protests and sit-ins. Citi is accused of being the second worst funder of dirty energy projects in the world, spending $396.3 billion on coal, oil, and gas from 2016 to 2023. The world's 60 largest banks committed $750 billion to fossil fuels in 2023, with JP Morgan Chase, Citi, and Bank of America leading the pack. Citi claims to be transparent about its climate-related activities and supports the transition to a low-carbon economy. Over 750 scientists have warned Citi about the significant climate impacts if deep, rapid cuts to heat-trapping emissions and a phase-out of fossil fuels are not made. The UN has called heat a 'new epidemic' and warned that new oil and gas licenses are endangering the future of the planet. The activists are targeting financiers as one of the key players in polluting energy projects. The battle against fossil fuel financing is expected to be a long-term fight. [1472f066] [264028e1]