COP28: UN discussions focus on terminating fossil fuels
Nations and petroleum corporations at the UN climate discussions have committed to making substantial advancements in addressing global climate change through a significant new energy commitment.
Approximately 100 nations have vowed to triple the global usage of renewable energy by the year 2030
Fifty companies in the oil and gas sector, including the Saudi behemoth Aramco, have committed to halt their contribution to greenhouse gases by the year 2050
This only includes emissions from manufacturing, not from the combustion of fossil fuels. Detractors argue that it wouldn't significantly address the issue of global warming.
Countries have committed to tripling renewable energy at the COP28 summit in Dubai, stating it will aid in the elimination of fossil fuels from the global energy system no later than 2050.
Advocates, such as the European Union and the United Arab Emirates, which is hosting COP28, are pushing for the commitment to be part of the ultimate agreement at COP. This would mean that almost 200 countries present would consent to it.
Environmental organizations have tentatively praised the commitment to increase the use of renewable energy sources. However, they criticized the pledges made by oil and gas companies, labeling them as merely attempts at "
"I have a lot of doubts," stated Prof Bill Hare, the CEO of Climate Analytics and a writer of various UN climate change documents.
"The primary obstacle for the petroleum industry is to transition away from oil and gas production," he stated. "Ultimately, nothing else holds significant importance."
Further information about the COP28 climate conference
Fatih Birol, a representative from the International Energy Agency, informed BBC News that the fossil fuel sector needs to cut down its emission output by the year 2030, which is two decades sooner than the initially pledged date. This industry is responsible for approximately 15% of the world's emissions – and this figure doesn't even include the gases released when their products are utilized for running vehicles and heating residences.
He stated that a crucial decision point is currently being experienced in Dubai. The question is whether they will collaborate with the global community or if they will adhere to their existing business strategies.
Speaking at the conference on Saturday, COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber stated that the new commitment includes a greater number of nations and businesses from a wider range of industries than ever before, all aiming to keep global warming below 1.5C.
In 2015, global leaders came to a consensus in Paris to restrict the degree of global warming to a
The extensive consumption of oil, gas, and coal is accelerating climate change, however, global leaders are yet to reach a consensus on the pace at which their usage should be halted.
Mr. Jaber referred to the commitment made on Saturday as "an excellent initial move."
Even though numerous state-owned oil corporations have for the first time committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, I am convinced that they, along with others, must strive to do even more," he stated. "It's vital for the whole sector to work towards maintaining a 1.5C limit and establish even more aggressive goals for reducing carbon emissions."
The Decarbonisation Charter, according to the UAE, will accelerate efforts to combat climate change. It is noted that oil and gas companies, which are responsible for 40% of global emissions, have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by the year 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 solution to 'decarbonize' fossil fuels like oil and gas is to cease its production "rapidly, entirely, and forever".
Anything less than this is simply more corporate deception related to environmental initiatives.
The group of 50 firms, inclusive of UAE's national oil corporation, have committed to nearly eliminate the emission of the highly global warming gas, methane, from oil and gas operations by the year 2030.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, emphasized on Saturday during a discussion that there is a global necessity to gradually eliminate the use of fossil fuels. This is crucial in order to maintain the global temperature rise below 1.5C compared to pre-industrial levels.
Tina Stige, the Climate Representative for the Marshall Islands – one of the countries most at risk from climate change – has stated that a significant increase in the use of clean energy is essential, and has advocated for a threefold increase in the use of renewable resources. However, she emphasizes that this is only a part of the solution.
"She asserts that the commitment won't gloss over nations that are concurrently increasing their production of fossil fuels."
The fact that the UAE is leading the COP28 discussions has drawn negative attention since it's among the world's top 10 oil and gas manufacturers. Furthermore, the head of the conference, Sultan al-Jaber, is also the leader of the enormous Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc).
Additional global leaders are delivering speeches at COP28, now in its third day.
A message was delivered on behalf of Pope Francis, who was unable to attend due to sickness. In it, he expressed that the use of renewable energy is vital for the preservation of the planet. He also emphasized the importance of eradicating the use of fossil fuels and educating people about adopting more sustainable lifestyles.
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