Breakthrough at World Climate Summit marks the end of the fossil fuel era
COP28
The World Climate Summit (COP28) ends with a breakthrough towards phasing out oil, coal and gas in energy systems. The presidency of the United Arab Emirates threatened to gamble away the trust it had built up by setting up the Loss and Damage Fund at the start of the conference. In a first draft of the final document, the central demand for a phase-out of fossil fuels was no longer included. Following international outcry, the negotiations and negotiators now call for the first time in history for a transition away from fossil fuels in the final outcome document and make a clear commitment to the 1.5 degree target.
Bas Eickhout, Greens/EFA member of the European Parliament delegation to COP28, comments:
“The World Climate Summit marks a breakthrough to end the fossil fuel era. For the first time ever, the world commits to exit from oil, gas and coal. The clear commitment to reach the target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degree goes beyond the Paris World Climate Summit. The business model of the fossil lobby faces the end. Investing in renewables will save the planet from the brink of collapse and boost investments. The COP28 ended with more than expected, still more efforts will be needed to reach the 1.5 target.”
Jutta Paulus, Green/EFA member of the European Parliament delegation to COP28, comments:
“We are facing the end of the fossil era. We shall not rely on commitments only. We now face the task of setting clear and binding dates for the phase out of oil, coal and gas. Commitments to the end of the fossil era need to be translated into clear climate targets. We Greens/EFA call on the European Commission to present a clear plan on how to make the EU climate neutral by 2040.
“Carbon is not the only culprit. Climate killer methane is responsible for 30% of global heating already .After tackling methane emissions from the energy sector, the Eu now needs to change its agriculture policy to reduce this strong greenhouse gas.”
