UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday that the agreement reached at the Dubai Climate Summit (COP28) recognizes “for the first time” the need to move away from fossil fuels.
Guterres added that the agreement was reached “after many years of blocking the debate on this issue.”
The COP28 global agreement “clearly” confirms the imperative to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, which requires a drastic reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions. Guterres said after the document’s adoption at the summit’s plenary.
“Science tells us that it is impossible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees without phasing out all fossil fuels within a time frame compatible with this limit. This fact has been recognized by a growing and diverse coalition of countries,” Guterres said.
“I want to say that the departure from fossil fuels is inevitable, whether you like it or not. Let’s hope it doesn’t come too late,” Guterres stressed, adding that “the world cannot afford delays, indecision or half-measures.”
To those who oppose a clear reference to the phase-out of fossil fuels during World War II #COP28 Climate conference I want to say:
Like it or not, the phasing out of fossil fuels is inevitable. Let’s hope it doesn’t come too late. pic.twitter.com/q2LqMw75K1
– António Guterres (@antonioguterres) December 13, 2023
Countries meeting at the climate summit today approved “by consensus” a decision calling for a “transition” to the phase-out of fossil fuels, the chairman of COP28 in Dubai announced.
At the opening of the closing plenary session, delegates adopted the decision prepared by the United Arab Emirates, which was welcomed.
It is a “historic decision to accelerate climate action,” said Sultan Al Jaber, president of the UN conference.
Source: DN
