DUBAI (Reuters) – The presidency of the world climate conference (COP28) on Wednesday presented a draft final climate agreement, which for the first time would push countries to abandon fossil fuels in order to avoid worst consequences of climate change.
The draft is meant to reflect the position of nearly 200 countries, meeting in Dubai, where many governments have insisted that strong language be used to signal a possible end to the fossil fuel era – despite protests. by the oil-producing countries of OPEC and their allies.
Representatives of the countries participating in the summit have been invited to a meeting on Wednesday morning, where the agreement could be approved.
Consensus is necessary for the adoption of the texts presented at global climate conferences. It is then up to each country to implement them through national policies and investments.
The draft agreement calls for “a transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a fair, orderly and equitable manner (…) in order to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, in accordance with scientific data” .
If this text were adopted, it would be the first time in thirty years of global climate conferences that countries have agreed on a concerted abandonment of oil, gas and coal, which currently represent around 80% of global energy. .
Scientists estimate that fossil fuels are by far the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, which fuel climate change.
(Reporting Valerie Volcovici, Kate Abnett, Jake Spring, Gloria Dickie, Elizabeth Piper, David Stanway; French version Camille Raynaud)
©2023 Thomson Reuters, all rights reserved. Reuters content is the intellectual property of Thomson Reuters or its third party content providers. Any copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. “Reuters” and the Reuters Logo are trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.