Title: Concerns Arise as COP28 Draft Agreement Drops Call to Phase Out Fossil Fuels
The recently released draft agreement for the COP28 climate summit has sparked concern and disappointment among climate activists and experts, as it removed a crucial call to phase out fossil fuels. The weakened language on fossil fuels in the draft has raised suspicions of appeasement to oil-producing nations.
While the draft does call for actions to reduce planet-warming pollution, critics argue that it lacks the necessary concrete timelines and specificity to effectively combat the climate crisis. Initially, more than 100 countries supported the language to phase out fossil fuels, but it is expected that many will express their opposition due to its removal.
The secretary-general of OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, explicitly called on its members to reject any language targeting fossil fuels. This stance further raises concerns about the potential failure of the COP28 summit.
Prominent climate advocate and former US Vice President Al Gore criticized the draft, stating that the summit is on the verge of failure. He expressed disappointment in the watering down of the language on fossil fuels, which he believes undermines the urgency required to address the climate crisis.
In defense of the draft, the president of COP28 urged negotiators to deliver the highest ambition on all items. However, the Alliance of Small Island States, representing vulnerable nations most impacted by climate change, indicated that its members would not approve the agreement in its current form. They highlighted the lack of transparency and inclusivity in the negotiations as major concerns.
Notably, the US State Department and lead negotiators for the European Union also expressed disappointment with the draft and called for stronger commitments. Both entities emphasized the need for bolder action in addressing the climate crisis.
Experts and activists have further criticized the draft for its vague language, lack of ambition, and perceived influence of the fossil fuel industry. They argue that these elements jeopardize the effectiveness of the agreement and hinder progress towards a sustainable, fossil-free future.
Despite the somber outlook expressed by many, some experts remain cautiously optimistic. They believe that the draft still contains the right ingredients for a fossil-free future, citing the ongoing discussions as potential avenues for bolstering the agreement’s goals and ambitions.
As the summit progresses, the fate of the COP28 draft agreement hangs in the balance. The absence of a call to phase out fossil fuels raises concerns over the summit’s potential failure, highlighting the need for concerted efforts to address these issues and secure a more sustainable future for the planet.
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