Failure of Cop28 on fossil fuel phase-out is ‘devastating’, say scientists

(The Guardian, 14 Dec 2023) Climate experts say lack of unambiguous statement is ‘tragedy for the planet and our future’.

he failure of Cop28 to call for a phase-out of fossil fuels is “devastating” and “dangerous” given the urgent need for action to tackle the climate crisis, scientists have said.

One called it a “tragedy for the planet and our future” while another said it was the “dream outcome” for the fossil fuel industry.

The UN climate summit ended on Wednesday with a compromise deal that called for a “transition away” from fossil fuels. The stronger term “phase-out” had been backed by 130 of the 198 countries negotiating in Dubai but was blocked by petrostates including Saudi Arabia.

The deal was hailed as historic as it was the first citing of fossil fuels, the root cause of the climate crisis, in 30 years of climate negotiations. But scientists said the agreement contained many loopholes and did not match the severity of the climate emergency.

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The Guardian, 14 Dec 2023: Failure of Cop28 on fossil fuel phase-out is ‘devastating’, say scientists