Summary:
- COP28 in Dubai concluded with a historic but flawed declaration, signaling a shift away from fossil fuels and the dawn of renewable energy, yet facing criticism for weak language and concerns about funding the transition in vulnerable countries.
A transformative declaration emerged from COP28 in Dubai, signaling a shift away from fossil fuels and the dawn of renewable energy as United Nations climate negotiations concluded around noon local time today.
The COP28 decision text, unveiled on Wednesday morning, addressed the need for “transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems” and emphasized “reducing both consumption and production of fossil fuels in a just, orderly, and equitable manner to achieve net zero by, or before, or around 2050 in keeping with the science.”
Negotiated tirelessly by climate ministers and senior officials, the historic provisions found their place in the 21-page document’s energy transition section. Initial analysis suggested that while the language fell within the typical UN legal jargon, it was a substantial improvement over an earlier draft deemed “unacceptable” and “grossly insufficient.”
The text, which called on countries to take action rather than demanding it in stronger terms, was seen as a major advance. It notably included a call to transition energy systems away from fossil fuels, marking the first time oil and gas were incorporated into a COP agreement. The inclusion of measures to triple renewables deployment, address methane emissions, and establish a loss and damage fund underscored the potential significance of COP28 in climate history.
COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber lauded the outcome as an “enhanced, balanced, but historic package to accelerate climate action.” While acknowledging that the fossil fuel era hadn’t been completely left behind, UN climate secretary Simon Stiell expressed optimism that this outcome marked the “beginning of the end.”
The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) cautioned about major concessions in the final text that could hinder crucial climate action in the coming decade. Despite improvements, AOSIS highlighted significant areas where the COP decision fell short, leaving room for the expansion of fossil fuel production.
COP observers hailed this as a breakthrough in international climate negotiations, acknowledging the historical importance while acknowledging the challenges ahead. Bill Hare of Climate Analytics called it the “first nail in the coffin” for the fossil fuel industry, while others emphasized the need for real-world outcomes and swift action to fulfill the pledges made during COP28.
However, concerns lingered about funding the transition in the most vulnerable countries and the ultimately weak language regarding fossil fuels. Critics, including the Center for International Economic Law, labeled COP28 a “fossil-fueled failure” due to a lack of clarity on the phaseout of oil, gas, and coal.
Discussions leading up to COP negotiations in Azerbaijan and Brazil in 2024 and 2025 will continue to address critical issues such as funding for the loss and damage fund, climate change adaptation, a fair transition away from fossil fuels, the end of fossil fuel subsidies, and structural inequities in international debt arrangements.
