CNBC's Natasha Turak is on new deal at COP28.
The draft text for the COP28 climate deal, which omits the phasing out of fossil fuels, has sparked significant criticism and highlighted deep divisions among attendees.
The draft, issued by the United Arab Emirates' presidency of the summit, emphasized reducing emissions but did not address the complete elimination of fossil fuels, despite their role as the primary contributor to climate change. This omission led to urgent warnings from delegates of the U.S., the European Union, and climate-vulnerable countries, who contrasted sharply with oil-producing nations resistant to targeting fossil fuels.
Key figures like EU chief negotiator Wopke Hoekstra and U.S. Special Climate Envoy John Kerry expressed their dissatisfaction, emphasizing the necessity of phasing out fossil fuels to mitigate climate risks. The controversy was further fueled by comments from COP28 President Sultan al Jaber, who also heads the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), suggesting there was no scientific basis for a fossil fuel phase-out, a stance he later softened. The draft suggests options for emission reduction but lacks concrete commitments, leading to frustration among nations seeking more decisive action against fossil fuels.
Source: CNBC
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/12/anger-and-frustration-as-cop28-draft-text-omits-fossil-fuel-phaseout.html
(This article was written with assistance from ChatGPT)
