Countries at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai are considering calling for a phaseout of fossil fuels as part of the U.N. summit’s final deal, according to a draft negotiating text seen Dec. 5.
Research published Dec. 5 showed global carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels are set to hit a record high this year, exacerbating climate change and fueling more destructive extreme weather.
The draft of what could be the final agreement from COP28, published by the U.N. climate body, kicks off negotiations around what is considered the summit’s defining issue: Will countries agree to eventually end the use of fossil fuels, or fight to preserve a role for them?
The draft text includes three options, which delegates from nearly 200 countries will consider.
The first option in the draft is listed as “an orderly and just phase-out of fossil fuels.” In U.N. parlance, the word “just” suggests wealthy nations with a long history of fossil fuel burning would phase out faster than poorer countries that are developing their resources now.
The second option calls for “accelerating efforts toward phasing out unabated fossil fuels.” A third option would be to avoid mentioning a fossil fuel phaseout. (Reuters)
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