COP28 ends with call to ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels; UN’s Guterres says the industry will phase out 'whether they like it or not'

COP28 ends with call to ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels; UN’s Guterres says the industry will phase out ‘whether they like it or not’

Reacting to the adoption of the outcome document, UN chief Antonio Guterres said mention of the world’s leading contributor to climate change comes after many years in which the discussion of this issue was blocked. The Secretary-General stressed that the era of fossil fuels must end with justice and equity. “To those who opposed a…

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Climate advocates slam COP28 draft text that drops language on fossil fuel ‘phasedown’

Climate advocates slam COP28 draft text that drops language on fossil fuel ‘phasedown’

The 21-page text, prepared by the COP28 presidency, United Arab Emirates, makes no mention of fossil fuel ‘phasedown’ or ‘phaseout’, which UN Secretary-General António Guterres said earlier on Monday was one of the keys to the conference’s success and which many nations have demanded.  Rather, the draft text called for countries to reduce “consumption and…

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Stop ‘kicking the can down the road,’ UN chief urges COP28 deal on phaseout of fossil fuels

Stop ‘kicking the can down the road,’ UN chief urges COP28 deal on phaseout of fossil fuels

As COP28 entered its final 48 hours, the UN chief delivered a clear message to government negotiators: “We must conclude the conference with an ambitious outcome that demonstrates decisive action and a credible plan to keep 1.5-degree goal alive, protecting those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.”  ‘The clock is ticking’ Negotiators are engaged…

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COP28: The UN’s net-zero food plan to save the 1.5-degree goal, combat climate ‘doomisim’

COP28: The UN’s net-zero food plan to save the 1.5-degree goal, combat climate ‘doomisim’

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has identified 10 priority areas – such as livestock, soil and water, crops, diets and fisheries – where following the roadmap can help push the world closer to achieving ‘Zero Hunger’, the second of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)  The aim: to transform agrifood systems – which…

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First-ever World Seagrass Day focuses on conservation

COP28: UN says staggering $7 trillion spent every year on investments that fuel climate change

The report from the UN’s environmental wing, UNEP, also revealed that despite decades of calls for ending finance flows towards sectors that harm some of humanity’s most valuable assets, those investments currently account for a whopping 7 percent of global GDP. Saturday’s report launch comes as negotiations on the conference’s outcome text are shifting into…

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COP28 in Dubai enters final week, negotiations ramp up on emissions cuts, fossil fuels

COP28 in Dubai enters final week, negotiations ramp up on emissions cuts, fossil fuels

On Wednesday, UN climate chief Simon Stiell told a press conference that the text is “a grab bag of wish lists and heavy on posturing.” He added: “All governments must give their negotiators clear marching orders. We need highest ambition, not point scoring or lowest common denominator politics.” UN chief António Guterres has said the…

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COP28 is about action, not politics, ‘posturing or point scoring,’ says UN climate chief

COP28 is about action, not politics, ‘posturing or point scoring,’ says UN climate chief

Mr. Stiell’s strong message to government negotiators comes as the latest UN climate conference, running in the UAE’s main city, Dubai, since last Thursday, reaches the halfway mark with agreement on financing for climate adaptation and the fate of fossil fuels still up in the air.  “All governments must give their negotiators clear marching orders”. …

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COP28: Over 60 countries pledge to slash cooling emissions amid rising temperatures

COP28: Over 60 countries pledge to slash cooling emissions amid rising temperatures

Over 60 countries signed up to a so called ‘cooling pledge’ with commitments to reduce the climate impact of the cooling sector, that could also provide “universal access to life-saving cooling, take the pressure off energy grids and save trillions of dollars by 2050.”  The cost of keeping cool The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates…

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