UN Climate Summit Climaxes in Potentially Ruinous Commitments
14th December 2023
On Wednesday, December 13th, the Dubai-hosted UN climate summit, COP28, concluded by presenting its final declaration. All 198 participating countries reached a non-binding deal which—in a world first—makes explicit mention of weaning countries off fossil fuel use.
Following two weeks of intense negotiations, the deal aims to reduce or wholly avoid the negative byproducts of climate change and was praised by COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber as “historic.” Amid the celebrations, delegates are avoiding the real implications of phasing out oil, gas, and coal.
At times COP28 presented itself as threatened by some its participants, with the Saudi Arabia-led oil producer group the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) threatening to veto the adoption of a ‘green’ agenda, arguing that the world economy can slash emissions while continuing to use specific hydrocarbon-based fuels. After necessitating an additional day of negotiations, OPEC relented and Al Jaber was able to tell a jubilant plenary session that “we must take the steps necessary to turn this agreement into tangible actions.”