Alternatives are not viable yet but the general goal is set.
On Wednesday, December 13rd, the COP28 climate summit in Dubai concluded with a historic agreement, signaling a global commitment to “transition away” from fossil fuels. The pact, reached after two weeks of intense debate, emphasizes a just, orderly, and equitable move away from fossil fuels in energy systems to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. While not an immediate end to petroleum consumption, the agreement sends a strong message to international markets and may lead to a gradual transformation of the energy economy.
SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVES: A LITTLE REALISM
The deal recognizes technologies that can mitigate the climate impact of oil, natural gas, and coal by capturing carbon dioxide emissions. The inclusion of “zero- and low-emission technologies” like renewables, nuclear, and carbon capture indicates a balanced approach, acknowledging the need for cleaner energy solutions. Notably, the agreement allows flexibility for each country to follow its unique pathway, a factor that could have influenced the acceptance of the deal by major oil-producing countries like Saudi Arabia.
IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY AND THE AUTHORITY
Despite general satisfaction with the accord, concerns arise regarding the absence of additional financing to aid developing nations in their transition away from fossil fuels, since United Nations is not a world government and has no such power. Adaptation funds for climate-vulnerable countries are also lacking. While the COP28 summit made progress on a fund to help poor nations cope with climate disaster, detailed financial discussions may be deferred to future summits, such as COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
UNREALISTIC GOALS ARE PART AND PARCEL OF EVERY GREEN CONVERSATION
Surprisingly, the… ambitious goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius remains in conversation, with the United States, the European Union, and numerous countries expressing satisfaction with the outcome. However, achieving this target will require substantial emissions reductions, posing challenges that some, like the Alliance of Small Island States, fear the current draft fails to address adequately.
