In a significant turn of events at the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit in Dubai, the hopes for a comprehensive deal to end fossil fuels have dwindled as organizers released a draft proposal suggesting a reduction rather than a phaseout. This development falls short of the expectations set by environmental groups, the U.S., the European Union, and vulnerable island nations, with activists expressing concern that the talks may be deemed a failure without a clear call for phasing out coal, oil, and natural gas production.
The draft proposal faced criticism from U.S. climate envoy John Kerry, who stated that it does not meet the urgent need for transitioning to clean energy sources and phasing out fossil fuels. Closed-door negotiations on the text continued late into Monday night and early Tuesday, with disagreements emerging between nations, particularly on the terms “phaseout” or “phase-down” of specific energy sources.
Summit President Sultan al-Jaber urged flexibility and compromise, emphasizing that the world is closely watching the discussions. Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore criticized the proposal, declaring COP28 on the verge of complete failure and expressing disappointment with the draft, which he characterized as worse than anticipated.
While the text outlined voluntary measures, including tripling global renewable capacity by 2030 and rapidly phasing down unabated coal, it avoided the explicit demand for a fossil fuel phaseout. Instead, it suggested that countries commit to “reducing both consumption and production of fossil fuels … so as to achieve net zero by, before, or around 2050.”
Small island nations, the EU, and environmental advocates viewed the proposal as insufficient and a betrayal of the summit’s potential to unequivocally declare the end of fossil fuels. The U.S. State Department acknowledged the need for improvements in the text, particularly concerning fossil fuels, to secure a strong outcome for the summit.
Negotiations are expected to continue through the final day of the summit, with divisions among nations on the critical issue of fossil fuel reduction. The outcome will likely shape discussions on climate action, highlighting the challenges in reaching a consensus on phasing out fossil fuels on a global scale.
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