Stand-off continuing at COP28 over phase-out of fossil fuel use

• 4 months ago (2023-12-13)
• David Flin

Climate change 20 Coal 274 Emissions 57

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The COP28 talks have been the first to directly mention fossil fuel usage in a global climate agreement. However, countries have been wrangling over the text of this agreement.

The summit had been scheduled to close on the morning of the 12th December, but officials were still struggling the wording of the text. The original draft had included the words “phase out” and “phase down”, but a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, objected to this language, and called for using the weaker wording “reducing both consumption and production of fossil fuels, in a just, orderly, and equitable manner”, and that such cuts should be optional.

A representative from the EU called the modified draft “unacceptable”, and warned that the EU could walk away from discussions. The US said that the wording of the text needed to be “substantially strengthened”, and a number of other nations, including the UK, described the text as “disappointing” and that it needed to go further.

There is widespread consensus that the first mention of fossil fuels in a global climate agreement is a step forward, but many nations want much more. 2023 is set to be the hottest years humans have ever experienced.