The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has demanded a commitment to phasing out fossil fuels at the COP28 climate conference, criticising the lack of political will to avert climate disaster.
Before heading to the summit in Dubai, Antonio Guterres stressed the need for a timeline to phase out fossil fuels. Highlighting global action to limit global warming to +1.5°C as insufficient, some countries seek a clear consensus on cutting fossil fuels from the summit's final document.
This presents a challenge, given that no previous summit has managed to achieve this goal. COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, for instance, only referred to coal.
Guterres, who is heavily committed to the climate fight, stated on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday – the first day of COP28 –that "we're in deep trouble." The Secretary General believes that a vague and evasive 'reduction' pledge would not suffice, as in his view, 'reduction' can mean anything. 'Phase-out', in contrast, means definitive action, even if not immediate, within a credible timeline and in alignment with the 1.5°C target.
A full month before the end of the year, the data already points to 2023 being the hottest year recorded in human history.
Today’s State of the Global Climate report shows we’re in deep trouble. Leaders must get us out of it – starting at #COP28. https://t.co/CeBvWe3r2v — António Guterres (@antonioguterres) November 30, 2023
Interestingly, Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President and CEO of national oil company Adnoc, has faced accusations of a conflict of interest. Guterres urged him to leverage his position to convince others of the need to phase out fossil fuels.
He noted that Jaber is better positioned than an NGO member to influence his industry peers. Guterres further suggested that Jaber's promotion of his nation's oil and energy projects as COP28 President is untenable.
Another agenda item at COP28 will be the development of renewable energy. Guterres is calling for a tripling of global renewables, rather than mere voluntary commitments from nations.
Additionally, Guterres hopes this summit will advance a substantial global investment programme targeting Africa, a continent with 60% of the world's solar potential but only 2% solar investment.
Related News
- 'Get your act together': Climate March returns to Brussels on Sunday as COP28 kicks off
- COP28 is a moment of truth for oil and gas industry, IEA says
Other measures essential for the summit's success, Guterres suggested, include climate justice. The COP27 held in Egypt marked a major breakthrough with the creation of a fund to compensate countries which are most vulnerable to climate impacts yet historically least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, it has been difficult to implement.
Guterres called for the new fund to be a significant contribution to this COP. As the world continues to experience storms, floods, fires and droughts, it is currently on track for a 2.5°C to 2.9°C increase in global temperatures this century. Yet, despite this looming "total catastrophe", Guterres refuses to give up hope of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
The 1.5°C target is "alive", he asserted, adding that we have the potential, technology, and financial means. "The only thing that is always missing is political will. That's why the COP is important, for people to understand that we are still going in the wrong direction."
