Nearly every nation worldwide has committed to a groundbreaking “transition away from fossil fuels” at the COP28 climate summit held in Dubai. This historic agreement marks the first time such a consensus has been reached in 28 years of international climate negotiations.
Global Stocktake and Challenges: The commitment is a pivotal part of the first “global stocktake” within the framework of the Paris Agreement. However, frustration arose as some countries left the talks dissatisfied with the absence of a clear call for a fossil fuel “phase-out” this decade, coupled with concerns about loopholes that could perpetuate coal, oil, and gas production and consumption.
Financial Commitments and Disappointment: Despite early success in establishing a fund for “loss and damage” caused by climate change, developing countries expressed disappointment at the lack of new financial commitments for transitioning away from fossil fuels and adapting to climate impacts.
Controversies Surrounding COP28 President: Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 president and an oil executive, celebrated the “world-first” achievement of incorporating “fossil fuels” into a UN climate change agreement. However, allegations surfaced that the UAE intended to leverage COP28 for undisclosed oil-and-gas deals, casting a shadow over Al Jaber’s presidency.
International Pledges and Varied Commitments: Outside formal negotiations, COP28 witnessed a wave of international pledges covering diverse areas, from oil-and-gas emissions and renewable energy tripling to addressing food systems and integrating climate change and biodiversity action.
In-Depth Analysis: Key Outcomes Inside and Outside COP28: Carbon Brief provides a detailed analysis of all the significant outcomes within and beyond the COP, including formal negotiations, Emirati leadership controversies, global stocktake insights, rules of procedure, loss and damage agreements, adaptation measures, mitigation work programs, financial considerations, and more.
Road to COP29 and Beyond: As the climate community looks ahead, the report covers the road to COP29, global leaders’ and countries’ pledges, China’s role at COP28, the influence of oil and gas interests, protests, surveillance, the Israel-Gaza crisis, new climate science, and the ongoing journey in addressing climate change challenges.
For more information on COP28 outcomes, both inside the negotiations and around the conference, explore Carbon Brief’s comprehensive coverage.
