President Joe Biden has hailed the agreement reached at COP28, the U.N. climate summit in Dubai, as a pivotal move towards achieving international climate objectives. In an official statement, Biden commended the deal for its historic commitment to shifting away from fossil fuels, a move deemed critical in addressing environmental challenges.
While expressing appreciation for the agreement's pledge to triple global renewable energy by 2030, President Biden acknowledged the considerable work still required to maintain the 1.5-degree Celsius goal—the benchmark set by scientists to avert irreversible climate change effects.
See also: COP28 Summit in Dubai Seals Historic Deal: Global Commitment to Fossil Fuel Transition
Delegates from nearly 200 nations finalized the agreement after two weeks of negotiations, targeting the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Over 100 nations advocated for stronger language, specifically calling for a direct “phase-out” of fossil fuels. However, the agreed-upon language focuses on a transition “away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly, and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade.”
The accord also outlines the objective to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2050 and expedite the development of technologies such as carbon capture and storage.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the inevitability of a fossil fuel phase-out, asserting, “To those who opposed a clear reference to a phase-out of fossil fuels in the #COP28 text, I want to say that a fossil fuel phase-out is inevitable whether they like it or not. Let's hope it doesn't come too late.”
See also: COP28 Agreement on Renewables Garners Industry Praise, Yet Calls for Stronger Commitments Persist
At present, fossil fuels contribute approximately 80% of the world's energy, with two-thirds of electrical generation reliant on these sources, according to the U.N. Environment Program. The responsibility for implementing the agreement now rests with individual countries, requiring them to adapt their policies and investments in line with the outlined goals.
