AP News's Seth Borenstein, David Keyton, Jamey Keaten and Sibi Arasu are reporting on the new deal made at COP28.
Nearly 200 countries at the U.N. climate talks have agreed for the first time to transition away from fossil fuels, marking a significant pledge in the history of these discussions.
The agreement, achieved at COP28, does not explicitly call for a complete phase-out of oil, gas, and coal, but instead focuses on a gradual transition, giving nations flexibility in their approach. COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber rapidly approved the agreement, which aligns with the Paris accord's goal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
However, some small island nations and delegates expressed dissatisfaction, viewing the deal as a continuation of the status quo rather than a substantial shift towards aggressive emissions reduction.
The deal, which includes goals for renewable energy use and energy efficiency, was seen as a compromise, with many countries, including the U.S., seeking stronger language but facing challenges in reaching consensus among 195 nations.
The agreement aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and a peak in carbon pollution by 2025, but allows flexibility for countries like China. Critics, including Al Gore, acknowledge the milestone but point out the deal's shortcomings and call for more decisive action in the future.
Source: AP News
https://apnews.com/article/cop28-climate-summit-negotiations-fossil-fuels-dubai-64c0e39e6ad54a98e05e5201a2215293
(This article was written with assistance from ChatGPT)
