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Sultan Al Jaber, chair of the COP28 climate summit, speaks at a presentation on December 2, 2023 in Dubai. The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) is supposed to end on December 12, but there are still major divisions between countries.
Dubai
CNN
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A new draft of the basic agreement at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai refers to transitioning away from fossil fuels as an option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but does not call for countries to “phase out” fossil fuels – a phrase used by more than 100 countries. It was supported in some way and it showed in earlier drafts.
The current version calls on countries to collectively “contribute” to global efforts to reduce carbon pollution in the way they see fit, and offers eight options, one of which is to “transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems…accelerate action in this critical decade so as to reach net zero.” By 2050.”
Countries can choose other options instead, including contributing to the global goal of tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency.
Another, more controversial, option is to accelerate technologies, including “removal technologies such as carbon capture, utilization and storage” that would allow fossil fuel use to continue if carbon pollution is removed from it before it enters the atmosphere. This technology has not been widely proven effective and is currently expensive.
The draft was published on Wednesday morning, more than 12 hours after the summit deadline, where talks continued for hours as countries negotiated language on fossil fuels and other sticking points.
What to do about the future of fossil fuels has been the most contentious issue in these talks. Some of the most ambitious countries and climate advocates have expressed anger and frustration that an earlier draft dropped the call for a phase-out.
Annual climate talks are often divisive and take extra hours, but the UN climate change conference (COP28) was particularly fraught, with criticism that oil interests derailed the process.
Fossil fuel industry Access to the registry has been granted To the conference, according to a recent analysis. Sultan Al Jaber, head of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), who is chairing the talks, is chairing the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company as it undergoes a major operation. Expansion of oil and gas production. He has consistently rejected criticism of conflicts of interest and pledged a transparent process.
The Secretary-General of the OPEC oil producing organization, Haitham Al-Ghais, called Members and allies last week “Preemptively reject” any language aimed at reducing fossil fuel use, and ask members to support language focused on “emissions.” instead of.
Thomas Mukoya – Reuters
Lysipriya Kangujam, a climate activist from India, holds a banner during a summit session at the COP28 climate talks in Dubai, December 11, 2023.
Saudi Arabia and Iraq were among the countries that did not want to mention the phase-out of fossil fuels in the text, said Katherine Abreu, founder and executive director of the nonprofit group. Destination Zero told reporters in Dubai. Kuwait News Agency KUNA said the country’s delegation to COP28 “confirms” its rejection of the phase-out as well.
The COP28 presidency has addressed criticism that the text has been too watered down. She said on Tuesday that she supports a “historic” agreement that includes some language related to fossil fuels and aims to achieve “the highest ambition.”
“We are facing the most demanding COP agenda ever,” COP28 Director-General, Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, said at a press conference.
This is a developing story and has been updated.
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