No clear end to fossil energy: final version of the climate conference is criticized

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A new draft for the final declaration of the World Climate Conference in Dubai does not include the clear phase-out of coal, oil and gas that dozens of countries are calling for. The text of the presidency of the United Arab Conference was published on Wednesday morning. The 21-page document simply calls on states to move away from fossil fuels in their energy systems. More than a hundred states had previously called for more extensive wording, namely a phase-out.

It was initially unclear whether the reference to energy systems excluded sectors such as transport, which also produce many climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions. It also includes the target to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 and double the pace of energy efficiency over this period. The G20 countries have already decided to do this.

On Monday evening, the presidency of the so-called COP28 published a draft text that provoked a storm of protest from many states and outrage among environmental organizations. Germany and the EU called it disappointing and unacceptable. The UN meeting of almost 200 countries was subsequently extended. It would be over on Tuesday morning.

“No historical result”

The latest design now satisfies these critics to some extent. To be officially adopted, it must be unanimously approved by all states in the plenary – this could happen next Wednesday.

The vice-president of the environmental group Global Citizen, Friederike Röder, said the new text version was better, but the wording was too vague to meet the 1.5 degree global warming target agreed in Paris in 2015. “This is not the historic outcome that would be necessary given the critical emergency.” There is a lack of urgency and clarity required to bring about a global course correction.

Germanwatch political director Christoph Bals said: “If this text is accepted, it will send a strong signal to the world. For the first time, a world climate conference calls on all countries to move away from coal, oil and gas.” This would make investments in new oil and gas projects riskier. However, such a decision will not be enough to put the world on the desired 1.5 degree path.

Problematic loopholes in the design

Jan Kowalzig, climate diplomacy expert at Oxfam, also said it was highly doubtful whether the text was sufficient to meet the 1.5 degree limit, especially as no concessions were made on financial support to poorer countries. However, the text is a significant improvement over the previous version, albeit with some drawbacks.

According to him, the draft contains “problematic loopholes”, including the reference to the role of natural gas as a temporary solution. “Some countries and the fossil fuel industry will see this as a justification for further expansion of gas production.” The emphasis on the role of capturing and storing greenhouse gases, an expensive technology that is not widely available, ultimately serves fossil interests and distracts from the urgently needed expansion of renewable energy sources.

Disasters are not prevented

Tom Evans of the environmental organization E3G commented: “If this text is adopted later in the plenary, it will demonstrate the collective recognition that we need to move away from fossil fuels and focus on a cleaner future.” The design could help prevent a disaster in Dubai. “But it won’t prevent a catastrophe for the planet.”

The host, chairman of the Sultan al-Jaber conference, and his team had been meeting with representatives of the states and country groups since Monday evening and well into the night. “This is to ensure that everyone is heard and that all views are taken into account,” a spokeswoman said.

The chairman of the COP28 conference is also chairman of the state oil company. Yet he emphasized several times during the conference that he wanted to reach an ambitious conclusion and keep the internationally agreed goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees within reach. (SDA)

Source: Blick