At the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, U.N. leaders call for an unprecedented global agreement to end the use of oil, gas, and coal, facing resistance from major oil producers.
By yourNEWS Media Staff
U.N. climate negotiators at the COP28 summit in Dubai are advocating for a landmark deal that aims to mark the beginning of the end for fossil fuels. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged negotiators to demonstrate “maximum ambition and flexibility” to reach a consensus among nearly 200 participating countries.
Guterres, emphasizing the urgency of the situation, told reporters, “We are in a race against time.” His call to action was made upon returning to Dubai to join the negotiations and the 80,000 attendees who have flown in from around the world.
The COP28 summit, hosted in the oil-rich city of Dubai, is considering the first-ever call for a global exit from oil, gas, and coal usage. These fossil fuels are widely regarded as major contributors to the planet’s climate crisis. However, Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has been leading the opposition to this proposal, with support from the OPEC cartel, which has been urging its members to vote against the phase-out of fossil fuels.
Simon Stiell, the head of the U.N. climate body, without naming specific countries, has called on all parties to remove “unnecessary tactical blockades” that are hindering the deal. Guterres has emphasized the need to address the root cause of the climate crisis — fossil fuel production and consumption. He has advocated for the summit to recognize the necessity of phasing out all fossil fuels, a stance that faces opposition from oil-producing countries led by Saudi Arabia.
The urgency of the negotiations is underscored by the approaching deadline, with the summit’s leadership expected to release a new draft text on Monday. COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber has called on countries to conclude discussions on time by Tuesday. The summit’s focus remains on achieving a consensus to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to support the transition of less developed countries.
The COP28 summit represents a critical juncture in global climate negotiations, as leaders grapple with the challenging task of balancing environmental imperatives with the economic interests of fossil fuel-dependent nations. The outcome of these discussions could have far-reaching implications for the future of energy production and consumption, as well as for the global efforts to mitigate climate change.