COP28: Countries sharply divided over fossil fuels phaseout as talks reach last leg

The participating countries at the UN climate summit in Dubai were waiting for a new draft text to be released by the COP28 presidency, held by the United Arab Emirates, which would most likely be the final agreement.

Steil has cautioned that every step from the highest ambition will cost countless millions of lives as there had been some advancement in resolving some disagreements over the last day. Steil said, “Clear the unnecessary tactical blockades out of the way. And there have been many along this journey.”

Steil also highlighted two key issues that are still being discussed — how ambitious nations were willing to be in tackling climate change, and how much funding and support they would provide to back up that aim, as per Reuters.

For the negotiators, Tuesday, December 12 will be the last day to come to a consensus to pass deals. If these parties come to an agreement, then the world could witness the first deal to phase out the use of fossil fuels as they are the main source of the greenhouse gas emissions.

A delegate representing Saudi Arabia on Sunday (December 10) said a COP28 deal should focus on cutting emissions instead of making “attempts to attack energy sources.”

OPEC had earlier in the COP28 made a call in a letter to its members not to use any language directly targeting fossil fuels, even as GHG emissions from fossil fuels are the main reason for climate change. Fossil fuels, including coal, oil and gas, are among the major sources of energy even as renewable energy is growing rapidly.

OPEC and OPEC+ members have been against setting out a fossil fuel phaseout into the COP28 deal.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres arrived back in Dubai as the COP28 is approaching its end and said in a post on X, “As we approach the finish line of COP28, my main message is clear: We need an ambitious outcome that demonstrates decisive #ClimateAction and a credible plan to keep the 1.5°C warming limit alive and to protect those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.”

In another post on Monday (December 11) Guterres said, “ In a divided world, COP28 can show multilateralism remains our best hope to tackle global challenges. It’s time to seek compromise for solutions – without compromising on the science or on the need for the highest ambition: Ambition on reducing greenhouse gas emissions & ensuring climate justice.”