At the United Nations climate change conference COP28 climate talks in Dubai, delegates have reached an agreement that marks a significant milestone in addressing climate change. This deal, approved by nearly 200 countries, establishes a groundbreaking framework for nations to transition away from fossil fuels. The objective is to mitigate the most severe consequences of climate change and ensure that global temperatures do not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber expressed his enthusiasm for the “historic package” of measures contained in the agreement. He described it as a “robust plan” that provides a pathway to achieving the temperature target.
“We have language on fossil fuel in our final agreement for the first time ever,” said Al Jaber, CEO of the UAE oil company ADNOC.
Read more: COP28: New draft of final agreement released, outcomes to be announced later today
Representatives from various countries view this agreement as a crucial step towards phasing out the use of fossil fuels. U.S. climate envoy John Kerry announced that both the United States and China plan to update their long-term climate strategies, emphasizing that the agreement sends a powerful message to the international community.
Orderly and equitable transition
However, while the deal falls short of calling for an immediate phase-out of fossil fuels, it does stress the need to transition away from them in energy systems. The agreement highlights the importance of an orderly and equitable transition, aiming to accelerate action during this critical decade. The goal is to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions globally by 2050, aligning with the guidance provided by climate science.
