Delegates from nearly 200 countries gathered in Dubai for the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) climate summit. The summit aimed to address the falling behind of targets set in the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius [6784423f]. The Global Stocktake, a two-year process that informs greenhouse gas reductions, was a key focus [6784423f]. The current reductions and commitments were not consistent with the Paris Agreement's goals [6784423f]. The talks also addressed the slow commitment of sub-national governments, such as cities and states, to the Paris Agreement [6784423f]. The next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) updates are due in 2025 and must include short-term targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions [6784423f].
The summit prioritized the phase-out of fossil fuels and the acceleration of renewable energy deployment [6784423f]. The International Energy Agency called widespread carbon capture an 'illusion' and emphasized the need for the fossil fuel industry to shift to clean energy [6784423f]. The COP's incoming president, Sultan al-Jaber, who is also the CEO of the UAE's national oil company, faced scrutiny over his ability to be an honest broker of a climate deal [6784423f]. The EU, US, and UAE rallied support for a deal to triple global renewable energy installed by 2030, but China and India were not fully on board yet [6784423f].
In addition to addressing climate targets, the conference also focused on scaling up climate finance, particularly for the Global South, and addressing the energy crisis and inequality [6784423f]. The establishment of a climate damage fund to help countries that have already suffered irreparable damage from climate change impacts was also discussed [6784423f]. Wealthy nations were expected to announce contributions to the fund, with the EU and US already committing to contribute [6784423f]. The conference launched discussions on international divisions over the best way to combat global warming [6784423f].
The COP28 summit presented an opportunity for countries to come together and find common ground on climate action. The outcome of COP28 remained to be seen, but there was a call for optimism and unwavering resolve [6784423f].
On the same day as COP 28 in Dubai, a counter-COP began at the submarine base in Bordeaux, organized by the collective Scientists in Rebellion. Jérôme Santolini, a member of the collective and a research director in biochemistry, was interviewed on France Bleu Gironde to discuss the event. The purpose of the counter-COP was to highlight the local impact of climate change and the exploitation of new oil wells in the same area where a fire occurred. Santolini emphasized the need to address climate change as a direct and local issue that affects people's lives. [481b1002]
The counter-COP in Bordeaux presented a contrasting perspective on climate change. It questioned the urgency of addressing climate change by highlighting instances of unusual weather events, such as early snowfall in Britain and pre-seasonal snow on ski slopes [678d1882]. The counter-COP argued that the potential costs of climate change policies outweighed the benefits and that there was no peer-reviewed study predicting the extinction of humanity if fossil fuels were not phased out [678d1882]. It advocated for considering the cost of actions to reduce emissions and developing lower-cost alternatives to fossil fuels before mandating their adoption [678d1882]. The clash of perspectives between COP28 and the counter-COP in Bordeaux underscored the complexity and diversity of opinions surrounding climate action [678d1882].
The fight over the future of fossil fuels took center stage at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. The outcome of the summit would determine whether there would be a phase out or phase down of fossil fuels. Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, emphasized the need for COP28 to be a mitigation COP and for all oil, gas, and coal nations to recognize that the world economy was at the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era. The language of the final agreement would be closely monitored, as it would indicate the commitment to reducing or eliminating fossil fuel use. The fight over fossil fuels was seen as intertwined with the issues of loss and damage caused by climate change. Despite previous failures, there was growing momentum to recognize fossil fuels as the largest contributor to climate change. The COP28 summit would also address the energy transition package and various initiatives had been launched to decarbonize the energy sector, including pledges to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 and expand nuclear power while reducing methane emissions. The goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius was crucial to avoid tipping points that could lead to dramatic shifts in Earth's life support system. [c6de84da]
COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber claimed that there was no scientific evidence supporting the need to phase out fossil fuels to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius. His comments were criticized by scientists and were in contrast to the position of UN Secretary General António Guterres. The issue of a phase-out or phase-down of fossil fuels was a contentious topic at the COP28 summit. More than 100 countries already supported a phase-out, but some countries, including Russia, Saudi Arabia, and China, rejected the idea. The comments by Al Jaber, who was also the CEO of the United Arab Emirates' state oil company, Adnoc, raised concerns about a conflict of interest. Scientists argued that a phase-out of fossil fuels was necessary to limit global warming to 1.5C and achieve sustainable development goals. They emphasized that the science was clear and that a failure to phase out fossil fuels would have severe consequences for vulnerable populations. The COP28 presidency defended Al Jaber's comments, stating that fossil fuels would still play a role in the future energy system, albeit a smaller one. The presidency highlighted its achievements in operationalizing the loss and damage fund, launching a private market climate vehicle, and securing commitments from oil companies and countries to decarbonize and increase renewable energy. [eefd85c4]
The linguistic challenges faced during climate negotiations at COP28 in Dubai were discussed in an article by Mary Robinson and Sultan Al Jaber [c2a5ea5a]. The main topic of discussion was whether to prioritize a phase out or phase down of fossil fuels. Mary Robinson, chair of the Elders group, argued for a phase out of fossil fuels to achieve the 1.5ºC limit, while Sultan Al Jaber, president of COP28, defended the use of fossil fuels and asked for a road map for a phase out that allowed for sustainable development. The article highlighted the cultural dynamics and power imbalances at play in the negotiations. It also criticized the proposal to capture and store carbon emissions from fossil fuels, stating that renewable energy was the only solution to stop greenhouse gas emissions. The article emphasized the importance of the language used in the negotiations and how it could impact the outcome and recommendations of COP28.
The clash between fossil fuels and climate action continued to be a central theme at COP28 in Dubai. The linguistic challenges and power dynamics in the negotiations highlighted the complexity of finding common ground on climate action. The outcome of COP28 would determine the future of fossil fuels and the commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The clash of perspectives between those advocating for a phase out of fossil fuels and those defending their use underscored the need for meaningful dialogue and compromise. The fight over fossil fuels was seen as intertwined with the issues of loss and damage caused by climate change, making it a crucial topic of discussion at the summit. The language used in the final agreement would be closely scrutinized, as it would indicate the level of commitment to addressing climate change and transitioning to renewable energy sources. The COP28 summit presented an opportunity for countries to come together and make significant progress towards a sustainable and low-carbon future.
Climate negotiators in Dubai worked on a draft agreement at the COP28 climate conference that called on nations to transition away from using fossil fuels. The compromise text was a stronger assertion of the world's commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions without explicitly phasing out fossil fuels. The draft was being reviewed and edited before a final proposal was unveiled. The text became more declarative, stating that nations 'should' take specific steps such as tripling renewable power and boosting efficiency. It also recognized that countries should determine their own paths in reducing emissions. The key change in the draft was a shift towards transitioning away from fossil fuels in a just and equitable manner to achieve net zero by 2050. The draft also emphasized the need to accelerate zero and low emissions technologies. Negotiators were optimistic about reaching a deal [09230649].
Nearly 200 nations at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai have sealed an agreement urging countries to begin transitioning away from fossil fuels. The agreement, which drew a standing ovation, is the first-ever climate accord to address the primary driver of warming temperatures. The nonbinding pact leaves it up to individual national governments to decide whether and how quickly to cut their reliance on oil, natural gas, and coal. The agreement commits countries to developing plans for transitioning away from fossil fuels in this critical decade, with the aim of bringing net greenhouse gas pollution to zero by 2050. While some activists expressed disappointment that the compromise hadn't gone further, others see it as a historic agreement that shapes a path towards safer and more reliable energy sources. The agreement comes amid mounting evidence that countries aren't cutting planet-warming pollution sharply enough to avoid a rising tide of extreme weather events. The next two climate summits, in Azerbaijan and Brazil, will address follow-up decisions. [983049d4]
The final COP28 climate deal has received mixed reactions. Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed confusion about the decision-making process and the absence of small island developing states. Some view the agreement as an incremental advancement, but believe that a more significant course correction is needed. The deal includes breakthrough commitments on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the transition away from fossil fuels. However, critics argue that it falls short and still reflects the influence of petrostates. The success of the deal in marking the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era depends on subsequent actions and the mobilization of finance. Overall, the deal is seen as providing different pathways for countries to achieve the objective of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
COP28, the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, was recently held in Dubai, UAE. Nigeria attended and announced initiatives such as an electric bus fleet, a national carbon market strategy, a Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy, commitment to the Global Cooling Pledge, and commitment to eliminating gas flaring. Important outcomes included the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund and a call for the transition away from fossil fuels. The Fund aims to provide funding for vulnerable countries affected by climate disasters. The call for the transition away from fossil fuels is the first time they have been specifically named in climate negotiations. The effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen, and issues such as the eligibility for funding and the controversy surrounding carbon credits need to be addressed. Despite the uncertainty, it is clear that progress is being made in safeguarding the planet, but more action is needed.