At the COP28 climate conference, the UAE presented a softened draft of the final agreement, which does not provide for a phase-out of fossil fuels.
The document calls for emissions reductions through a fair reduction in fossil fuel consumption and production to achieve climate neutrality by about 2050, DW reports.
It is noted that a coalition of more than 100 countries wanted a complete phase-out of fossil fuels. However, the draft final document offers options that would reduce the production and consumption of coal, oil, and natural gas.
The article says that the agreement also provides for a tripling of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and a rapid phase-out of coal that is not used on an industrial scale. In addition, the agreement calls for the expansion of carbon capture technology.
DW emphasized that the failure to include calls for a complete abandonment of fossil fuels indicates the influence of certain countries, in particular oil exporters from OPEC. The rejection of fossil fuels was supported by a coalition of more than 100 countries, including the largest oil and gas producing countries, such as the USA and Canada. and Norway, as well as the EU and climate-vulnerable island countries.
The draft agreement was met with widespread condemnation, and many representatives expressed their disappointment. For example, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Annalena Berbock, called the document clearly insufficient and disappointing.
"This text is not enough. There are elements that are unacceptable in themselves. This is disappointing," said French Energy Minister Agnes Panier-Runacher.
A US State Department official added that the mitigation section, including fossil fuel issues, needed significant strengthening, and the finance section contained inaccuracies that needed to be corrected.
"We will not go to our watery graves in silence. We will not accept an outcome that will lead to devastation for our country and for millions, if not billions, of the most vulnerable people and communities," said Marshall Islands Chief Delegate and Natural Resources Minister Samuel Silk .
COP28 is said to end on Tuesday, December 12. However, the negotiations may drag on for a few more days, as was the case in 2022.
Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that the International Energy Agency has warned that the commitments made at the COP28 climate conference are not enough to limit global warming to 1.5°C, even if they are fulfilled.
Previously, EcoPoliticsreported on the key events of the first week of the COP28 conference and the achievements of the Ukrainian delegation.
