Delegates at the COP28 summit in Dubai reached a pivotal agreement, endorsing a historic Global Stocktake text that calls for nations to gradually transition away from fossil fuels. The groundbreaking deal, characterized as a “historic package,” was unanimously adopted, receiving applause from representatives of nearly 200 countries. COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber emphasized its comprehensive measures, outlining a robust strategy to uphold the 1.5-degree Celsius target.

While marking a significant milestone, it is noteworthy that the agreement stops short of advocating for a complete “phase-out” of fossil fuels, a demand expressed by over 100 nations. Instead, it urges a gradual transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, emphasizing a just, orderly, and equitable manner. The envisioned transition aims to achieve global net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, aligning with climate science imperatives.

Earlier discussions on the draft document faced backlash, leading to an extension of the summit. The revised version explicitly “calls on” all nations to contribute through a series of actions, reflecting a shift from the earlier draft’s tentative language. French Energy Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher praised the agreement as “a victory for multilateralism and climate diplomacy,” underscoring the need for a comprehensive plan to move away from fossil fuels.

Norway’s Minister for Climate and the Environment, Espen Barth Eide, highlighted the collective acknowledgment by the world regarding the imperative to transition away from fossil fuels. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the necessity for ending the era of fossil fuels with justice and equity, emphasizing the scientific consensus that limiting global heating to 1.5 degrees requires the phase-out of all fossil fuels.

With the deal finalized, nations now bear the responsibility of implementing the agreement through national policies and investments. The proposed agreement not only emphasizes the transition away from fossil fuels but also calls for a threefold increase in global renewable energy capacity by 2030. It urges the expediting of efforts to reduce reliance on coal and the acceleration of the deployment of technologies such as carbon capture and storage to address challenging-to-decarbonize industries.

In summary, the COP28 summit has led to a globally endorsed agreement that sets the course for a gradual transition away from fossil fuels, marking a significant step toward addressing the severe impacts of climate change.

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