COP28 summit adopts deal to 'transition away from fossil fuels'

“We have language on fossil fuel in our final agreement for the first time ever,” said al-Jaber, CEO of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) oil company.

He said, "We have delivered a comprehensive response to the global stocktake. We have delivered a robust action plan to keep 1.5c in reach. It is a balanced plan that addresses emissions… it is built on common ground. It is strengthened by full inclusivity. It is a historic package to accelerate climate action. It is the UAE consensus.”

However, it must be noted that the deal falls short of advocating for a complete "phase-out" of fossil fuels, a demand expressed by over 100 nations. Instead, it advocates for a gradual "transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly, and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade." The envisioned transition aims to achieve global net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, aligning with climate science imperatives.

Earlier in the day, delegates discussed the latest draft of the document, which called on the world to reduce reliance on planet-warming fossil fuels. The initial proposal faced backlash, necessitating an extension of the summit, initially intended to conclude on December 12.

The revised version explicitly "calls on" all nations to contribute through a series of actions, contrasting with the earlier draft's tentative language that "could" be taken to combat climate change.

Following the agreement's approval, French Energy Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher lauded it as "a victory for multilateralism and climate diplomacy." She emphasised the need to develop a comprehensive plan to move away from fossil fuels. Norway's Minister for Climate and the Environment, Espen Barth Eide, said this marked the first time that the world has collectively acknowledged the imperative to transition away from fossil fuels.

Additionally, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in a statement, said, "The era of fossil fuels must end – and it must end with justice and equity." 

"Science tells us that limiting global heating to 1.5 degrees will be impossible without the phase out of all fossil fuels on a timeframe consistent with this limit," he said, adding that this has been recognised by a growing and diverse coalition of countries.

With the deal now finalised, nations bear the responsibility of implementing the agreement through national policies and investments.

The proposed agreement specifically outlines the imperative to "transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly, and equitable manner, aiming to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science."

It also calls for a threefold increase in global renewable energy capacity by 2030, expediting of efforts to reduce reliance on coal, and accelerating deployment of technologies such as carbon capture and storage to address challenging-to-decarbonise industries.