Should the world phase out fossil fuels or is this an issue we shouldn’t talk about? Countries participating in COP28 are starting to review the draft of the final communiqué of the conference, which leaves open all possibilities regarding the matter.

The second version of the draft, which will form the basis for discussions in order to adopt a final statement from COP28 which officially ends on December 12, includes in 24 pages the different views promoted by the approximately 200 countries that are in negotiations this period in Dubai. Key point of contention: fossil fuels.

Research published today showed that global carbon dioxide emissions are expected to reach record levels this yearintensifying climate change and causing new extreme and destructive weather events.

Three fossil fuel options are included in the draft final communication.

The first provides for “the coordinated and fair gradual withdrawal from fossil fuels”. In the language of the UN, the word “fair” means that rich nations should stop using fossil fuels faster than the poorest developing countries now.

The second option calls for “accelerating efforts to phase out fossil fuels (…) and rapidly reducing their use to achieve carbon neutrality in energy systems by mid-century.”

The US, the 27 EU countries and islands particularly vulnerable to climate change are pushing for a phase-out of fossil fuels, in order to drastically reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Scientists stress that this must happen already this decade in order to avoid catastrophic climate change.

“We are not talking about turning off the tap completely overnight,” said Jennifer Morgan, Germany’s envoy. “What you see here is a real battle for the energy system of the future that we will build together,” he added.

“No way”

The third option contained in the draft does not mention the withdrawal from fossil fuels at all.

This version is supported by some countries, “including Saudi Arabia and China”, an observer revealed to AFP.

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdelaziz bin Salman said in an interview with Bloomberg yesterday, Monday, that his country, the world’s largest oil exporter, “doesn’t agree in any way” to divest from fossil fuels.

He accused countries of “hypocrisy” that call for an end to the use of fossil fuels, simply calling on them to do so.

“Those countries that really believe in phasing out hydrocarbons should (…) draw up a plan on how, starting from January 1, 2024,” he stressed.

Also yesterday, Monday, the COP28 chairman, UAE Industry Minister Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, came under heavy criticism after Britain’s Guardian newspaper published comments he made last month, when he said a move away from fossil fuels was not necessary. in order to achieve the climate goals.

“There is no science and no scenario out there that says getting off fossil fuels is what will allow us to achieve 1.5 degrees Celsius,” al-Jaber said in an online event on November 21, referring to limiting the increase in the Earth’s temperature by 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era.

However, at a press conference, al-Jaber, who is also the head of the Abu Dhabi State Oil Company (ADNOC), which produces more than 3 million barrels of oil per day, responded that he respected the science of climate change and added that the withdrawal from fossil fuels fuel is “inevitable”.