by Graham Keen (Grands-Parents pour le Climat – Belgique)
13.12.23 – Landmark summit takes direct aim at fossil fuels
Nations at the UN climate summit have for the first time taken explicit aim at the use of fossil fuels. The talks in Dubai came close to collapse but in a dramatic turn-around, nations agreed to “transition away” from coal, oil and gas. But small islands hit hard by climate change protested, saying the deal was rushed through without them. And it departed from earlier stronger language to “phase out fossil fuels”. Many nations including the US, UK and European Union had pushed for a phase out from the opening of the talks. Read more
What was agreed at COP28 about fossil fuels?
For the first time, countries agreed on the need to “transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems”. The text calls for this to be done “in a just, orderly and equitable manner”. This is seen as an important recognition that richer countries are expected to move away from coal, oil and gas more quickly. However, the deal doesn’t compel countries to take action, and no timescale is specified.
12.12.23 – As COP 28 is due to finish (this morning)… UN climate talks in jeopardy in fossil fuel backlash. The talks could be in jeopardy after some nations reacted furiously to a draft deal on fossil fuels they call “weak”. The draft removed language included in a previous text suggesting that fossil fuels could be “phased out”. All 198 countries at the summit must agree or there is no deal. A new amended version of the text is expected to be issued on Tuesday so that negotiations can continue. Governments have never agreed how or when to stop using fossil fuels. A representative for the European Union called the draft “unacceptable” and said the bloc could walk away.
6.12.323 – Is the world about to promise to ditch fossil fuels? The UN climate change conference in Dubai is close to a big breakthrough on reducing the gases heating our planet, its hosts believe. Expressing “cautious optimism”, the UAE negotiating team believes COP28 is gearing up to commit to phasing down fossil fuels over coming decades. Maybe even ditching them altogether. Read more
5.12.23 – UN climate talks go big on ending fossil fuels. Countries and oil companies at the UN climate talks have promised to make major progress in tackling global warming in a large new energy pledge. Around 100 countries promised to treble world renewable energy use by 2030. And 50 oil and gas companies including Saudi giant Aramco pledged to stop adding to planet-warming gases by 2050. That only covers emissions from production, not the burning of fossil fuels and critics said it would not meaningfully tackle climate change. But countries pledging to triple renewable energy said it would help remove fossil fuels from the world’s energy system by 2050 at the latest. Supporters, including the EU and the host UAE want the pledge to be included in the final deal, meaning all of the nearly 200 countries represented here would sign up. Read more
Record number of fossil fuel delegates at climate talks. The number of delegates at this year’s UN climate talks who are also linked to fossil fuel producers has quadrupled since last year, campaigners say. Read more
Pope Francis calls for end to fossil fuels. The Pope threw his weight behind calls for an end to fossil fuels in a message delivered here at COP28. In a wide-ranging statement, Pope Francis called for an end to coal, oil and gas as well as lifestyle changes to save the planet. He also asked for debt forgiveness for poorer countries hit by climate change. Read more
2.12.23 – UAE Increasing oil production. The country hosting COP28 climate talks aimed at cutting fossil fuel emissions is massively ramping up its own oil production, the BBC has learned. The United Arab Emirates’ state oil firm Adnoc may drill 42% more by 2030, according to analysts considered the international gold standard in oil market intelligence. Between 2023 and 2050, only Saudi Arabia is expected to produce more. Read more