The Cop28 climate summit on Wednesday approved a deal that would for the first time push nations to transition away from fossil fuels to avert the worst effects of climate change.
The deal, which needs to be approved by the summit, recognises “the need for deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions” and calls for parties to contribute to “transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science.”
The global transition away from fossil fuels was adopted within minutes of the start of the final session of Cop28 summit, making it the first time such language has been included in nearly three decades of climate talks.
It also lists seven other steps to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It does not, however, include a commitment to phase out fossil fuels by a set date.
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Cop28 president Sultan Al Jaber brought the gavel down to confirm the deal in Dubai to a standing ovation from tired delegates.
Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment and Climate, described the agreement as “historic”.
“It’s historic because for 30 years, the United Nations process hasn’t addressed the core of the problem on a day-today [basis] and [the deal] connects the two sides,” he told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland.
“And yes, it’s not perfect. But had we not got an agreement and delivered this package together, then that would have been a critically sad and difficult day for the world.
“At the centre, it also says it’s not just about transition away from fossil fuels. It’s also about building a new, renewable and energy-efficient future and critically changing the entire financial architecture in the world to make that happen everywhere in the world,” Mr Ryan said.
“So, yes, we have to now deliver. Yes, we know how to act.” When asked how does ‘transition away’ equal ‘phasing out’, the Minister said it was the same thing.
[ Cop28 deal is imperfect but significant progress for tackling the climate crisisOpens in new window ]
[ Good cop, bad cop: what the Cop28 agreement says and what it meansOpens in new window ]
Language in the agreement was strengthened after widespread anger at a draft in which it suggested that countries “could” reduce fossil fuels but left too many holes for many nations to live with.
Mr Al Jaber also described the deal approved by almost 200 countries as an “historic package” of measures which offered a “robust plan” to keep the [limiting global warmth] target of 1.5 degrees within reach.
“Many said this could not be done ... Everyone united, acted and delivered. We operationalised loss and damage and filled the fund. We delivered world first after world first.”
“It [the deal] is built on common ground, it is strengthened by full inclusivity. It is enhanced, balanced but make no mistake, a historic package,” he said. “We have language on fossil fuels in our final agreement for the first time ever.”
Mr Al Jabar added: “Let me sound a word of caution. Any agreement is only as good as its implementation. We are what we do, not what we say. We must turn this agreement into tangible action. If we unite, we can have a profound effect on all of our futures.”
Reactions to the text have so far been mainly positive, with some exceptions.
John Kerry, US climate change envoy, said of the agreement: “It is a document that reflects two years of work by all parties from every part of the globe ... while nobody here will see their views completely reflected, the fact is that this document sends a very strong signal to the world.”
Mr Kerry said the United States and China intend to update their long-term climate strategies.
Reacting to the deal, United Nations secretary general António Guterres said: “Whether you like it or not, fossil fuel phase out is inevitable. Let’s hope it doesn’t come too late.”
The Alliance of Small Island States, which represents countries disproportionately vulnerable to climate change including sea level rise, said it was not ambitious enough, China said the proposal was not perfect, and several delegates said it failed to address finance.
“For me, this is the signal. This is effectively the starting gun. Now, we can be serious about the discussion of phasing out fossil fuels.”
Former US vice president Al Gore said: “The decision at Cop28 to finally recognise that the climate crisis is, at its heart, a fossil fuel crisis is an important milestone. But it is also the bare minimum we need and is long overdue. The influence of petrostates is still evident in the half measures and loopholes included in the final agreement.”
The agreement defied the expectations of many observers who thought host country United Arab Emirates being a major oil exporter would be too much of a conflict of interest.
Opec secretary general Haitham Al Ghais said in a statement on Wednesday that the oil industry is in jeopardy without adequate levels of investment. He also congratulated the UAE for the positive outcome of Cop28.
Opec, which represents oil-producing nations, had sent round a letter to its members in the final days of the negotiations urging them to reject any language that would commit them to a “phase-out” of fossil fuels.
The EU, UK and US all said they want to see stronger action that would keep the Paris Agreement of limiting global temperature rise to no more than 1.5 above pre-industrial levels – what Mr al-Jaber called his “north star”.
Also part of the agreement is a tripling of renewable energy by 2030, which some NGOs described as a signal of the end of the fossil fuel era, while there is enough ambiguity in the transition away from fossil fuels to gain the approval of oil producers.
This phrasing led to the Alliance of Small Island States describing the text as a “litany of loopholes” and “incremental and not transformational”.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Cop28 presidency published the latest proposed text of a potential deal at the climate talks in Dubai, which included the reference to “transitioning away from all fossil fuels beginning in this decade”.
Responding to the proposed text earlier, Melanie Robinson, global climate programme director with the World Resources Institute, said: “This text makes a clear call for the world to transition away from fossil fuels and accelerate action this decade. This would dramatically move the needle in the fight against climate change and overcome immense pressure from oil and gas interests.”
Tom Evans, a policy adviser with energy think tank E3G, said the text would show a collective recognition that we must turn away from fossil fuels and move towards a cleaner future.”
Caroline Brouillette, director of Climate Action Network, said: “This text truly represents the paradox that is Cop28. On the one hand we’ve seen the most visible ever capture of the process by oil and gas lobbyists, and on the other hand, you’ve seen a record momentum to finally tackle the root cause.”
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