At the recent climate summit in New York, the stark divide between advocates for fossil fuels and those calling for a complete halt to new development was on full display. This division has cast doubt on the efforts to transition to a greener energy system.
World leaders and top officials gathered to discuss new climate targets ahead of the upcoming UN COP28 climate summit. While there is general agreement on the need for progress, there is no consensus on how to achieve it. The burning of fossil fuels remains a major obstacle.
The negotiations in New York also included discussions on the language to be used in the global agreement that will be pursued at COP28 in Dubai. The main point of contention is the definition of a “phase out” of fossil fuels and whether it allows for the expansion of carbon capture technologies.
French president Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan president William Ruto, among others, signed a letter stating that carbon capture technologies should not be used to justify further fossil fuel expansion. They emphasized that the world must stop adding carbon to the atmosphere to avoid catastrophic consequences.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, called for major polluters to phase out unabated fossil fuels before 2050. However, developing nations seeking funding for their transition to green energy systems pushed back against this goal.
Meanwhile, at the World Petroleum Congress in Calgary, Alberta, oil executives warned against a rapid shift away from fossil fuels. They argued that prematurely phasing out conventional energy could jeopardize energy security and affordability. The conflict in Ukraine was also cited as an example of the risks associated with ignoring these realities.
Small island nations, such as Tuvalu and Palau, highlighted the existential threat posed by rising sea levels. They stressed the need for urgent action to prevent the disappearance of entire countries due to climate change.
While world leaders gather for COP28 in December in hopes of reaching an agreement to limit global warming, fossil fuel industry executives will be pushing against production cuts before 2050. Their presence at the summit continues to be a source of conflict and mistrust.
Despite criticism, US climate envoy John Kerry defended the industry’s inclusion in the discussions, arguing that their expertise is necessary for planning emission cuts. However, critics have accused the fossil fuel industry of obstructing progress in tackling climate change.
The role of carbon capture technologies in fossil fuel development remains a contentious issue, especially as countries like the UK, South Korea, and Japan hesitate to set ambitious green targets. The fossil fuel industry is using this opportunity to advocate for its continued involvement.
Al Gore, former US vice-president and climate campaigner, expressed concern about the influence of the fossil fuel industry on global climate negotiations. He believes they are primarily focused on protecting their business interests rather than solving the climate crisis.
Overall, the debate surrounding climate change and the role of fossil fuels continues to intensify. It remains to be seen whether COP28 will lead to meaningful progress in addressing this urgent issue.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
