State Parties have reached a “historic” outcome at COP28 in Dubai to transition away from all fossil fuels to reach net zero emissions by 2050, introducing language on fossil fuels for the first time in a COP final agreement. However, the final text omits any reference to “phase out” fossil fuels. The deal was welcomed by delegates as a meaningful step towards net zero . However, advocacy groups complained it lacked substance around financing.
Referred to as the UAE Consensus, the text calls on parties to undertake actions that lead to “transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner.” This comes off the back of outrage from European, Latin American and vulnerable island nations at a first draft that failed to mention the phase out of fossil fuels and offered a series of opt-outs available for countries to take.
The final text also calls for the tripling of global renewable energy capacity by 2030 and the acceleration of the development of low-emission technologies, including nuclear, low-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture and storage technology.
The agreement underlines the different levels of responsibility countries have in tackling climate change, in accordance with economic circumstances, and recognises the need to financially support low-income and developing countries’ (LDCs) green transitions.
However, it was not without criticism, both from those nations pushing for a firmer stance on the phase out of fossil fuels, and those opposing it. Notable amongst the critics were the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), whose delegates were not present in the room as the final text was gavelled through in the early hours of the morning.
The EU welcomed the agreement as “the beginning of the post-fossil era.” EU representatives regularly pushed parties for more ambitious language around “phasing out” fossil fuels, and voiced concerns over previous drafts as “insufficient” to achieve Paris Agreement objectives. The UK’s reaction to the deal is not yet known. Minister Graham Stuart, head of the UK delegation to COP28, had to return in the final stages of the negotiation to support a government bill in the House of Commons, before flying back to the UAE shortly after.
IEEP colleagues in Brussels also ran a series of events at COP covering the role of academic and scientific advice in climate policymaking. In addition, check out their blog on developing new narratives around COP discussions.