Blue Zone
Challenges and Urgent Calls for Action at COP28: From Fossil Fuel Phase-out to Global Adaptation Goals
The UN Climate Summit, COP28, faces challenges as negotiations struggle due to conflicts over finance and equity, leading to worrying compromises that inadequately address the severity of the climate crisis. Despite a positive start with the establishment of the Loss and Damage fund, ambitious decisions appear difficult to achieve. Climate-related disasters in 2023 and alarming research underscore the need for bold action. Key issues include the controversial phasing out of all fossil fuels, with a call for a just transition to renewable energy and climate finance to support affected regions. Stakeholders emphasize the critical role of the Global Goal on Adaptation, urging the adoption of a robust framework with clear indicators and adequate funding to address the impacts of climate change, especially in vulnerable global south communities.
Global Leaders Unite: Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance’s Urgent Call for Fossil Fuel Phase-out at COP28
The Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) issues a compelling call to action at COP28, urging a global commitment to phase out all fossil fuels in alignment with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting temperature increases to 1.5°C. The alliance emphasizes the urgency of transitioning away from oil and gas, citing the escalating impacts of climate change and the need to address the root causes of crises. The statement outlines specific measures, including a peak in fossil fuel production and consumption by 2025, renewable energy scaling, and enhanced support for just transitions. High-profile signatories from various nations endorse the call, highlighting the importance of securing an agreement at COP28 to set the world on a path towards genuine climate, energy, and economic security.
Nokia’s Technological Showcase: Accelerating Green Transition and Digital Innovation at COP28
Nokia presented its cutting-edge technology solutions, such as 5G and artificial intelligence, at COP28, showcasing their role in accelerating the green transition. Finland’s Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, stressed the crucial need for private sector involvement in combatting climate change and outlined Finland’s ambitious goals for carbon neutrality by 2035. The Finnish business community, spanning 14 sectors, collaborates on low-carbon roadmaps, positioning Finland as a leader in green solutions. Orpo emphasized the symbiotic relationship between green and digital transitions, envisioning a clean, efficient, and digital manufacturing industry by 2030. The panel discussion, featuring industry leaders, delved into the interconnectedness of these transformations. Nokia’s contributions, from advanced connectivity solutions to digitizing renewable generation, were exemplified by their 5G “factory of the future” in Oulu, demonstrating significant increases in output, reduced energy consumption, and a substantial decrease in CO2 emissions.
Germany Disappointed with COP28 Draft Deal
Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, expressed dissatisfaction with the COP28 draft deal, deeming it clearly insufficient and disappointing. Speaking from the German Climate Pavilion in Dubai, she highlighted the absence of a plan to replace fossil fuels in the draft, leading Germany to withhold support. Baerbock anticipated challenges in reaching a conclusion by midday the following day but assured that the European delegation was prepared to extend discussions if needed.
Overcoming Obstacles for Highest Ambition Climate
Simon Stiell, head of the UN climate change body overseeing COP28, stresses the need to overcome “tactical blockades” and “strategic landmines” as negotiations narrow down to crucial issues: mitigating climate change ambition and countries’ support for the transition. His urgent appeal for the “highest ambition” outcome involves rejecting incrementalism, clearing tactical obstacles, and emphasizing the Global Stocktake’s collective importance. Stiell’s emphasis on transparency, inclusion, and the interconnectedness of ambition on both fronts underscores the security of 8 billion people at stake. ActionAid International’s Teresa Anderson echoes Stiell’s call, highlighting the pivotal role of rich countries providing financial support. Stiell’s message and his subsequent urgent appeal align with the imperative for decisive action and a credible plan to achieve the 1.5-degree goal.
UN Secretary-General Calls for Maximum Ambition and Fossil Fuel Phase-Out
UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivers a stark message at COP28, stressing the urgent need to address climate change and stating that the planet is nearing the 1.5-degree limit. Guterres calls for maximum ambition, flexibility, and a departure from blocking tactics in negotiations. He advocates for increased ambition in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, delivering climate justice, and phasing out fossil fuels. Guterres highlights the importance of adaptation finance, the Climate Solidarity Pact, and addressing financial challenges in developing countries. He concludes by urging a clear plan to keep the 1.5-degree limit alive and protect those on the frontlines of the climate crisis, emphasizing the pivotal role of COP28 in decisive action. In response to a question, he asserts that the commitment to phase out fossil fuels is central to the conference’s success, aligning with the 1.5-degree limit.
COP28’s Majlis Meetings Forge Paths for Common Ground
As COP28 reaches its final stages, Parties engage in continuous discussions within the ‘Majlis,’ a special gathering akin to a council, aimed at fostering open-ended, heart-to-heart discussions at the Ministerial and Head of Delegation levels. The COP President leads these meetings, bringing together all countries to find common ground on decisions and outcomes, emphasizing the importance of striking the right balance. The Majlis format seeks to facilitate collaborative efforts in navigating critical issues during this crucial phase of COP28.
Green Zone
“Final COP28 Draft Takes Unexpected Turn, Excludes ‘Fossil Fuel Phase-out”
In the final hours of the climate talks in Dubai, negotiators released the latest draft on the global stocktake, a crucial document for COP28. Notably, the draft does not include the explicit “phase out of fossil fuels.” However, it proposes an agreement to cut the “production and consumption of fossil fuels,” marking a historic shift in UN climate conferences.
Previously, several countries and the EU emphasized that a successful COP28 outcome should involve a “phase out of all fossil fuels,” but this goal may still be included in the final text. The COP28 President: Dr. Sultan Al Jaber expressed optimism about the draft, considering it a significant step forward and entrusted the decision to the participating parties.
The updated Global Stocktake draft indicates resistance from fossil-fuel reliant economies such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq against a complete phase-out of fossil fuels, a goal that seemed attainable earlier. The document now focuses on “reducing both consumption and production of fossil fuels” in a fair and orderly manner, aiming for net zero by or around 2050 in alignment with scientific recommendations.
The draft underscores the necessity of tripling global renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 without specifying detailed plans. The International Energy Agency emphasizes the importance of these measures to prevent exceeding the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold. Additionally, the draft encourages the scaling up of technologies, including those addressing CO2 capture from the atmosphere.
References to equity, common but differentiated responsibilities, and respective capabilities are present in the text, recognizing that countries’ climate change efforts should consider their historical emissions contributions. However, there is no explicit language in the adaptation section regarding the obligation of developed countries to provide financial support.
The mitigation section in the latest draft no longer specifies the obligation of developed countries to lead in securing finance, as noted by Brandon Wu from ActionAid USA.
References
https://actalliance.org/act-news/cop28-press-release-the-final-stretch-ambition-must-go-up-and-not-be-watered-down/
https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/202312_BeyondOilandGasAllianceCOP28_Call%20to%20Action.pdf
https://www.businessfinland.fi/en/cop28/whats-new/news/finnish-digitalization–to-carbon-neutrality
https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/germany-cannot-support-cop-28-draft-deal-foreign-minister-2023-12-11/
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2023/dec/11/cop28-live-time-to-be-ambitious-says-president-as-summit-enters-final-days?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with:block-6576bee18f08782fbd9a7187#block-6576bee18f08782fbd9a7187
https://unfccc.int/news/as-cop28-enters-its-final-stretch-simon-stiell-calls-for-a-highest-ambition-outcome
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2023-12-11/secretary-generals-opening-remarks-press-encounter-cop28
https://unfccc.int/cop28/blogs
https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2023/12/11/cop28-last-minute-change-at-climate-talks-draft-omits-fossil-fuel-phaseout.html
https://gulfnews.com/uae/environment/cop28-in-dubai-new-global-stocktake-text-calls-for-reducing-consumption-and-production-of-fossil-fuels-by-2050-1.99885451
https://www.cop28.com/en/green-zone
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-12-11/cop28-fossil-fuels-make-climate-deal-draft-text-for-first-time?leadSource=uverify%20wall
https://www.just-food.com/news/cop28-fao-launches-roadmap-towards-zero-hunger-climate-resilience/?cf-view
