COP28: UN discussions focus heavily on phasing out fossil fuels
Nations and oil corporations participating in the UN climate discussions have vowed to achieve significant advancements in addressing climate change through a substantial new energy commitment.
Approximately 100 nations have pledged to triple the global usage of renewable energy by the year 2030
Fifty oil and gas corporations, including the Saudi behemoth Aramco, have committed to ceasing the increase of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming by the year
This only accounts for emissions from manufacturing, excluding the combustion of fossil fuels. Critics argue that it wouldn't significantly address the issue of climate change.
At the COP28 conference in Dubai, nations committed to tripling their renewable energy output. They believe this move will assist in eliminating the use of fossil fuels in the global energy structure by no later than 2050.
Advocates, encompassing the European Union and the United Arab Emirates, the hosting nation for COP28, are pushing for the commitment to be part of the ultimate agreement reached at COP. This would imply that all of the nearly 200 nations in attendance would sign on.
Environmental organizations tentatively appreciated the commitment to increase renewable energy sources. However, they criticized the pledges made by oil and gas firms, labeling them as mere "greenwashing".
"I have a lot of doubts," stated Prof Bill Hare, the CEO of Climate Analytics and writer of many UN climate change studies.
"The primary hurdle for the oil and gas industry is to transition from the production of oil and gas," he stated. "Ultimately, nothing else holds significant importance."
Additional information on the COP28 climate conference
Fatih Birol of the International Energy Agency has expressed to BBC News that the fossil fuel sector must cut its production-related emissions by 2030, which is two decades sooner than their initial commitment. The industry is responsible for roughly 15% of worldwide emissions – and this doesn't even include the gases released when their products are utilized for powering vehicles or heating residences.
He expressed that Dubai is currently at a crossroads… Will it choose to collaborate with the rest of the globe.. Or will it continue with its existing business strategies?
Speaking at the conference on Saturday, COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber announced that the new commitment includes a larger number of nations and businesses from diverse sectors than ever, all in agreement with our guiding principle of 1.5C.
In 2015, global leaders came to a consensus in Paris to restrict the increase in worldwide temperature to a
The extensive consumption of oil, gas, and coal is escalating climate change, yet global leaders have not reached a consensus on the speed at which their use should be halted.
Mr Jaber referred to the promise made on Saturday as "an excellent initial move".
"Even though numerous national oil corporations have embraced the goal of net zero emissions by 2050 for the first time, I'm aware that these businesses, among others, have the capacity and obligation to do even more," he stated. "It's crucial for the whole sector to strive to limit global warming to 1.5C and establish more aggressive goals for reducing carbon emissions."
The UAE has asserted that the Decarbonisation Charter will hasten efforts to combat climate change. This comes as oil and gas corporations, responsible for 40% of global emissions, pledge to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Achieving net zero implies ceasing the emission of greenhouse gases into the air.
The head of the Center for International Environmental Law, Carroll Muffett, argued that the sole method to eliminate carbon from oil and gas is to halt its production altogether – swiftly, thoroughly, and with no intention of resuming.
Anything less than this is merely additional corporate eco-deception.
The 50 firms, including the UAE's national oil corporation, have committed to nearly completely halt the emission of the significantly global-warming gas, methane, in the process of oil and gas extraction by the year 2030.
On Saturday, General António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, emphasized during discussions that it is crucial for the world to gradually eliminate the use of fossil fuels. This measure is necessary to prevent the world's temperature from rising more than 1.5C above levels recorded before the industrial era.
Tina Stige, the Climate Envoy for the Marshall Islands, a country highly susceptible to the effects of climate change, stated that there is an urgent need for a quick advancement in clean energy. She also advocated for a threefold increase in the use of renewable sources, but she pointed out that this only represents half of the necessary response.
"She further adds that the promise cannot conceal the actions of nations that are concurrently increasing their production of fossil fuels."
The United Arab Emirates' leadership role in the COP28 discussions has drawn negative attention due to its position among the world's top ten oil and gas manufacturers. Furthermore, the summit's chair, Sultan al-Jaber, also oversees the large Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), which adds to the controversy.
An increasing number of global leaders are speaking at COP28, currently on its third day.
A message was delivered on behalf of Pope Francis, who was unable to be present due to sickness. He emphasized the importance of renewable energy in preserving the planet. He also stressed on phasing out fossil fuels and promoting education about more sustainable ways of living.
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