COP28 agrees to phase out fossil fuels - but with 'litany of loopholes'

The Blue Marble - taken during Apollo 17 lunar mission 1972

For the first time, COP28 delegates meeting in Dubai yesterday reached a deal agreeing to transition away from fossil fuels, but critics point out many omissions and weaknesses in the final agreement.

Neil Thorns, Director of Advocacy at CAFOD, said: "COP28 has confirmed what we need to do with an explicit reference to a world without fossil fuels and support to the most vulnerable communities through the agreement of a loss and damage fund.

"But with little new funding the 'how' this happens in a fair and rapid way to support the needs of low-income countries whose populations are suffering from the climate crisis is far from clear.

It risks pushing those countries further into a debt crisis with less funding to support the poorest and most vulnerable communities.

"Pope Francis called for urgent action at COP28. He may be disappointed that leaders have not moved 'beyond the mentality of appearing to be concerned but not having the courage needed to produce substantial change', but we now have the basis to create greater ambition at our national levels. That is the way we will keep to a 1.5 degree pathway.

"It's encouraging to see increasing government support to link the climate and food agendas, which should be reflected in future national plans and an urgent plan to transform our food system to provide greater support smallholder farmers."

Christian Aid's Senior Climate Advisor, Joab Okanda, said: "It is clear that the era of fossil fuels is coming to a close. We may not have driven the nail into the coffin here at COP28 but the end is coming for dirty energy. But there is a gaping hole on finance to actually fund the transition from dirty to clean energy in developing countries. Without that, we risk the global shift being much slower.

"We now need to see rich countries following up their warm words about wanting a fossil fuel phase out with actions to actually bring it about and end their use of coal, oil and gas by the end of this decade.

"Rich fossil fuel using countries like the UK will need to decarbonise first, with middle income countries going next and then the poorest countries after that.

"There's also a huge gap in terms of funding to help vulnerable communities adapt to climate change. The issue of climate finance in general will now need to be the major focus at the next meeting in Baku in Azerbaijan next year.

"The desperate attempts of fossil fuel interests to prevent a stronger outcome in Dubai has revealed just how worried they are about the coming decarbonisation of the global economy."

UN General Secretary António Guterres said: To those who opposed a clear reference to phase out of fossil fuels during the COP28 Climate Conference, I want to say: Whether you like it or not, fossil fuel phase out is inevitable. Let's hope it doesn't come too late.

Anne Rasmussen, Samoa's lead delegate, speaking on behalf of small island nations, complained that they "weren't even in the room" when COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber announced the deal was done.

Saying the deal contained "a litany of loopholes" she commented:"the course correction that is needed has not been secured."