Key Points
After tense and protracted negotiations, delegates at the UN climate conference COP28 have agreed on a deal that calls on countries to transition away from fossil fuels..
But delegates have warned that parts of the text are still not strong enough and that the real work of reducing greenhouse gas emissions is all still ahead of us...
Going into the conference, many delegates had hoped that the final deal would ask countries to phase out fossil fuels altogetherperhaps an unlikely prospect given that this COP was hosted by the United Arab Emirates, a major oil-producing state and OPEC member..
An earlier draft of the agreement was greeted with widespread disappointment as it contained only a weak reference to reducing both consumption and production of fossil fuels and a list of actions countries could take to reduce emissions...
The agreement made at COP is not legally binding, but countries should use it to inform their own climate plans and reduce their own emissions in line with the ambition set out in the final text...
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A Brilliant COP Agreement? It Depends Who You Ask
02, Jan, 24The agreement at COP28 satisfies no one. But it’s probably the best that countries could have hoped for.
Cop28 landmark deal agreed to ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels
13, Dec, 23Summit president hails ‘historic package to accelerate climate action’, but critics decry ‘litany of loopholes’ in final text
Divided they stand: Climate talks head for tough finale
11, Dec, 23Representatives from countries and blocs made statements on their objectives during a “majlis” gathering organised by the COP28 presidency UAE, which called the sitting in an effort to break the deadlock over a number of contentious issues | Latest News India
COP28 draft agreement includes option to do nothing
06, Dec, 23The draft forms the basis of negotiations that will unfold in coming days, with a final text expected in theory by December 12.
Climate pledge by 200 nations seeks to 'transition away from fossil fuels'
14, Dec, 23The president of COP28 had consistently stressed his intention to supercharge climate action. Even as it signals progress, the UAE Consensus hass loopholes that allow oil and gas exporters the space to continue operations, observers said. Countries agreed that transitional fuels, a euphemism for gas, can play a role in facilitating the energy transition while ensuring energy security. This free pass for the expansion of gas production is a particular blow, given that the associated methane leakage could make gas even worse than coal, an expert said.
Cop28: Australia, US and UK say they won’t sign agreement that would be ‘death certificate’ for small islands
12, Dec, 23Australian climate change minister, Chris Bowen, says umbrella group of countries is united in saying draft agreement is too weak
Cop28: second draft text of climate deal calls for ‘transitioning away’ from fossil fuels
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Climate Freeloaders Are Destroying the Planet
23, Mar, 23Governments are ignoring calls to stop fossil fuel expansion—despite there being little time left to avoid the worst effects of global warming.
World not ready yet to 'switch off' fossil fuels, COP28 host UAE says
10, May, 23UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam Almheiri told Reuters in an interview that phasing out fossil fuels would hurt countries that depend on them for revenue.