The COP28 climate conference concluded in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), featuring an agreement to shift away from fossil fuels – a historic commitment explicitly included in a Conference of the Parties (COP) final agreement for the first time. Over hundred countries pledged to triple renewable energy, and major oil and gas players committed to decarbonising direct emissions and reducing methane emissions. More than hundred nations signed a declaration highlighting the impact of food and land-use changes on carbon emissions.
COP28 refers to the 28th session of the conference of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), an annual global summit where representatives from UNFCCC countries convene to discuss and negotiate international responses to climate change. These conferences are crucial in shaping global climate policy and implementing key agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
The COP28 climate talks extended beyond schedule as countries worked towards a significant deal on fossil fuels, reflecting the complexity and urgency of reaching a consensus. The negotiations focused on reducing fossil fuel consumption, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and countries aimed for a substantial decrease in the use of coal, oil, and natural gas while promoting renewable energy sources.
Challenges arose due to differing views among countries on transitioning away from fossil fuels, with developing nations seeking support and resources for a cleaner energy shift without hindering their economic growth. The resulting ‘UAE Consensus’ encourages nations to expedite the transition from fossil fuels, emphasising equitable and systematic changes. While not meeting all expectations for a complete fossil fuel phase-out, the agreement represents a significant breakthrough, marking the first instance in COP texts mentioning the transition away from oil and gas.
The COP26 conference in Glasgow in 2021 focused on coal consumption, aiming for a ‘phase-out’ that evolved into a less stringent ‘phase-down’ approach in the final Glasgow climate pact. Coal remains a primary source for electricity, steel, and cement production, contributing significantly to anthropogenic CO2 emissions.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported a 6% rise in global coal demand in 2021. The future trajectory of coal demand remains uncertain, with the IEA’s upcoming Coal 2023 report expected to shed light on these trends. As reported by F+L DAILY, while the Glasgow climate pact’s commitments are not legally binding, their effectiveness hinges on the actions and policies implemented by individual countries post-conference.
