A new draft for the final text of the World Climate Conference no longer provides for an exit from coal, oil and gas. Instead, there is only talk of a reduction. Germany and the EU reject the text.
After almost two weeks, the UN climate conference is scheduled to end on Tuesday. But given the tough negotiations, almost everyone expects an extension in Dubai. What is particularly controversial is whether the phase-out of coal, gas and oil should be stipulated in the final text. A new draft of the final declaration no longer contains a common commitment to the global phase-out of all fossil fuels.
The 21-page paper only talks about reducing the consumption and production of fossil fuels. In earlier versions of the text, a move away from fossil fuels was listed as one of several options – but also the possibility that there was no wording on the topic at all.
Reduction instead of exit
The new draft now simply states that both the consumption and production of fossil fuels should be reduced. The consumption of coal should be reduced quickly. The approval of new coal projects should be limited.
COP28 President Sultan Al-Jaber called the draft a “tremendous step forward.” The text reflects the ambitions of the presidency, he explained. “It is now in the hands of the parties we trust to do what is best for humanity and the planet.”
Germany and the EU reject the draft
The draft is likely to cause anger among more ambitious countries. More than 100 countries had spoken out in favor of a commitment to phasing out fossil fuels, including the federal government. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) called the current proposal a disappointment. “Overall it is not sufficient; essential elements are not acceptable to us as the European Union.” EU climate commissioner and chief negotiator Wopke Hoekstra made similar comments, calling the draft “clearly inadequate” and unacceptable.
The US climate envoy John Kerry appreciated the efforts of the Emirati COP presidency to reach a compromise, but also called for improvements. Among other things, the wording on fossil energies needs to be “strengthened”.
However, oil states such as Saudi Arabia firmly opposed calls for an exit. China, Iraq and Russia are also against an end to the fossil fuel age.
Oxfam: “Very weak formulation”
Environmental organizations reacted with disappointment. Oxfam expert Jan Kowalzig spoke of a “very weak formulation” to move away from fossil fuels. And even the other desired goals – a tripling of renewable energies and a doubling of energy efficiency – would not be found as a goal, but only as a possible measure. “COP28 must not end like this,” he warned.
The 1.5 degree target agreed in Paris in 2015 is likely to be thrown out the window with this draft “despite assurances to the contrary elsewhere in the text”. Kowalzig demanded that the European Union should under no circumstances agree to the declaration and that it and its allies among developing countries should loudly reject this text and demand significant improvements.
Sharp criticism also came from Greenpeace. The managing director, Martin Kaiser, told the Evangelical Press Service (epd) that he was “really stunned” that such a non-binding paper had been presented. The federal government must now push for a binding decision to phase out coal, oil and gas.
Appeal for “maximum ambition”
There was no shortage of dramatic appeals in Dubai shortly before the end of the World Climate Conference. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on the almost 200 countries to pull together and enshrine the phase-out of coal, oil and gas in the final text. “Now is the time for maximum ambition and flexibility,” he said. The negotiating teams would have to leave behind arbitrarily drawn red lines and blockades. When it comes to phasing out fossil fuels, the situation is “close to the point,” wrote Foreign Minister Baerbock on Instagram. She was combative: “What we won’t do is give in to those who have all the resources – especially financial ones.”