FEEM - COP28: New draft deal in the works amid fossil fuel divide

2023-12-12 05:19:04 ET

The agreement drafted at the United Nations' COP28 summit hit a roadblock after some countries opposed the deal as it didn't include strong enough wording on phasing out the use of fossil fuels. A new draft is expected on Tuesday.

The deal, which instead suggested other steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions , is an important part of the summit's final talks regarding climate change.

Many countries sought stronger wording instead of just guidelines for reducing fossil fuels' consumption and production, but Saudi Arabia and other OPEC+ members have opposed this.

The wording on phasing out fossil fuels needs to be "substantially strengthened," according to a State Department spokesperson. This view was echoed by Wopke Hoekstra, EU's climate commissioner.

The draft's "weak language on fossil fuels is completely insufficient," said the Alliance of Small Island States, a group of countries extremely vulnerable to climate change. "It does not refer to a phase out at all."

But Mohamed Adow, director of think tank Power Shift Africa, believes the summit will usher in the end of the fossil fuel era. "This is the first COP where the word 'fossil fuels' are actually included in the draft decision."

More on climate change

• Three Investment Themes At COP28
• COP28 draft agreement avoids fossil fuel 'phase out'
• U.S. makes COP28 splash with new methane rule
• Missing in climate action? COP28 set to kick off in Dubai

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