COP28 Climate Summit Marks Historic Agreement to Phase Out Fossil Fuels
ES Web Desk
Representatives from nearly 200 countries reached a groundbreaking agreement at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai on Wednesday, signaling a collective commitment to reduce global consumption of fossil fuels. The deal, a first of its kind, aims to address climate change by signaling the eventual end of the oil age.
After two weeks of intense negotiations, the agreement is intended to convey a strong message to investors and policymakers about the world’s united determination to move away from fossil fuels. Scientists emphasize that such a transition is crucial to avoiding the worst impacts of climate change.
COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber described the deal as “historic,” emphasizing that its true success would be measured by its implementation. He stated, “We are what we do, not what we say,” urging tangible actions to follow the agreement.
Numerous countries lauded the deal for achieving a significant breakthrough in decades of climate talks. Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, highlighted its unprecedented nature, stating, “It is the first time that the world unites around such a clear text on the need to transition away from fossil fuels. It has been the elephant in the room. At last, we address it head on.”
The agreement faced strong opposition from the oil producer group OPEC, led by Saudi Arabia, which resisted the inclusion of explicit language to “phase out” oil, gas, and coal use. The summit, pushed into overtime by a full day, witnessed a fierce battle between more than 100 countries advocating for stronger language and the influential OPEC.
OPEC member countries collectively control nearly 80% of the world’s proven oil reserves and about a third of global daily oil production. The deal’s significance lies in acknowledging the necessity to reduce reliance on specific fuels and marks a historic step toward a sustainable and greener future.
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