The United Nations climate talks in Dubai face a critical juncture as numerous nations express strong dissatisfaction with a preliminary agreement on fossil fuels, decrying it as inadequate. The removal of language advocating for a “phase-out” of fossil fuels has ignited tensions among the 198 participating countries, placing the entire accord in jeopardy.
The revised text, slated for release on Tuesday, aims to address concerns raised by discontented nations and facilitate ongoing negotiations. The focal point of contention revolves around the phrasing used to underscore the immediate necessity of diminishing greenhouse gas emissions originating from fossil fuels.
A spokesperson for the European Union has labeled the draft as “unacceptable,” raising the prospect of the bloc withdrawing from the negotiations. Minister Eamon Ryan underscored the gravity of the situation, acknowledging that a collapse of the talks is not a desirable outcome for the world.
Expectations for a robust agreement were tempered due to COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber’s dual role as CEO of the Abu Dhabi oil giant Adnoc. The controversy centers on whether the draft adequately addresses the critical imperative to curtail fossil fuel consumption.
Countries directly impacted by climate change, confronting threats from rising sea levels and extreme weather events, have condemned the draft. Representatives from the Alliance of Small Island States underscored the necessity for robust commitments to phasing out fossil fuels, asserting their unwillingness to sign what they perceive as their “death certificate.”
Both the United States and the United Kingdom have voiced dissatisfaction with the draft. The U.S. has called for substantial strengthening of the text related to fossil fuels, while the UK labeled the draft as “disappointing” and emphasized the imperative of a phased-out approach to unabated fossil fuels.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres outlined the criteria for success at the talks, emphasizing the imperative of a consensus on phasing out fossil fuels in alignment with a 1.5°C temperature rise limit. The success of the talks hinges on addressing the future of coal, oil, and gas.
As tensions escalate and negotiations persist, the fate of the UN climate talks hangs in the balance. The urgency to combat climate change and the intricate challenges of reaching a global consensus on reducing fossil fuel usage underscore the complexities faced by world leaders at the summit.