As the COP28 climate summit in Dubai approaches its conclusion on December 12, the conference president, Sultan al-Jaber, has called for intensified efforts to reach an agreement on a groundbreaking deal aimed at gradually eliminating the use of fossil fuels. The talks have been marked by significant disagreements over the role of oil, gas, and coal, involving nearly 200 participating countries.
Over 80 nations, including the United States, the European Union, and various small island states, advocate for an agreement explicitly calling for the "phase-out" of fossil fuels, recognizing their significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. However, they face strong opposition from OPEC and its allies, opposing any language in the COP28 deal directly targeting fossil fuel usage.
In an effort to facilitate progress, al-Jaber organized a 'majlis' on Sunday, a traditional Arabic gathering providing delegations with a less formal setting than the plenary hall to express their views. Despite this initiative, there was no immediate indication of a shift in stance among the participants.
OPEC, led by Saudi Arabia, along with Russia and other members, argues that the summit should focus on reducing emissions rather than specifying the sources of those emissions. China's chief climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, expressed the view that a successful COP28 deal should address the issue of fossil fuels, although he did not explicitly endorse a phase-out.
The United States' Special Climate Envoy John Kerry held a meeting with Xie, but the details of their discussion were not disclosed. According to a draft text, there is a suggestion that Azerbaijan might host the next COP29 climate summit in November 2024, pending official adoption by the ongoing summit.
The core negotiating text, last updated on Friday, reveals that countries are still considering various options. These options range from committing to a complete phase-out of fossil fuels to phasing out only "unabated fossil fuels," or potentially making no mention at all.
Mitigating fossil fuels typically involves capturing and storing carbon dioxide emissions, a process that is costly and not yet proven on a large scale.
Negotiators have until Monday to produce another draft, leaving them just one full day to resolve their differences. Saudi Arabia's delegation emphasized the need for a deal that does not discriminate against specific energy sources but instead aims to reduce emissions. Some countries, like Britain and Australia, hinted at possible compromise, provided there are adequate safeguards.
