Transition Away from Fossil Fuels
After two weeks of negotiations, countries today finally agreed to transition away from fossil fuels, marking a significant outcome that signals the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era. However, despite this being an important moment for global climate action, countries failed to commit to a full phase-out.
The call to transition away from fossil fuels is in the final Global Stocktake text which commits countries to limit warming to 1.5°C. The Global Stocktake text supports the goal of tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency. It also calls for an end to deforestation and forest degradation by 2030 and contains references to nature-based solutions and food systems.
Speaking after the announcement of the final Global Stocktake text, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal — WWF Global Climate and Energy Lead, and COP20 President said: “The Earth is down but not out, as countries agree to transition away from fossil fuels, but fall short of consensus on the full phase-out of coal, oil and gas at COP28. Nevertheless, a decision to transition away from fossil fuels is a significant moment. After three decades of UN climate negotiations, countries have at last shifted the focus to the polluting fossil fuels driving the climate crisis. This outcome signals the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era.
“It is unfortunate that the outcome suggests a role for dangerous distractions such as large-scale carbon capture utilization and storage and ‘transitional fuels’. For a liveable planet, we still need a full phase out of all fossil fuels and will continue working towards that.
“The Global Stocktake is clear that eight years on from the Paris Agreement, we are still way off course to limit global warming to 1.5oC and avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis. In this critical decade, all countries must enhance the ambition and implementation of climate action. It is vital that countries work now to transform their energy systems and replace polluting fossil fuels with clean and cheaper renewable energy, such as wind and solar, at an unprecedented speed and scale.”
More importantly, earlier in the week, the Africa Group of Negotiators underscored the necessity for Africa to embrace the phase down of fossil fuels and shift towards investing in renewable energy resources. It is imperative for Africa to now develop sustainable plans to tap into its abundant renewable energy potential, with crucial support from developed countries, particularly in the form of finance. Substantial financial support from developed nations is essential for the continent to undergo a fair transition and ensure energy access for its people.
Operationalization of Loss and Damage Fund
The decision to operationalize the Loss and Damage fund was one of the early wins of COP28, having been announced on the first day of the UN climate change conference. This paved the way for financial pledges, totalling more than US$700 million. These commitments, while encouraging, fall short of what developing countries like Kenya need to effectively combat the impacts of climate change. The appointment of the Board holds the key to the swift disbursement of funds to those who need it the most and who are at the front lines of climate action.
UAE Declaration on Agriculture and Food
Commenting on the UAE Declaration on Agriculture and Food, Nancy Rapando — Africa Food Future Initiative Lead, WWF, said: “COP28 has made great progress in small ways. The declaration on agriculture and food is already a great stride in the right direction. Negotiators need to fast-track the process of coming up with a roadmap to support the implementation of the Sharm-el Sheikh joint action on agriculture and food security. We are delayed on action and we need to focus all this adaptation finance to ensure that, as Africa, we do not continue with the identity of a food insecure continent.” Nancy Rapando — Africa Food Future Initiative Lead, WWF.
37 Countries Join Freshwater Challenge
On 10 December 2023, a total of 37 countries from across the globe, joined the Freshwater Challenge as a show of commitment to integrate freshwater targets into their National Frameworks and Policy Priorities.
The Freshwater Challenge aims to ensure 300,000km of degraded rivers and 350 million hectares of degraded wetlands are committed to restoration by 2030, and to protect freshwater ecosystems.
Eric Oyare — Lead, Blue Heart of Africa Initiative, WWF, said: “The decision by 37 countries from across the globe — including 15 from Africa — to join the Freshwater Challenge at the COP28 is by far the largest show of commitment and a signature statement that the time to act is now or never, and that water is life. This is a major boost to global efforts to mitigate climate change and adapt to its worsening impact on societies and economies.”
This initiative is championed by WWF, The Nature Conservancy, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the United Nations Environment Programme, Conservation International, Wetlands International and the Ramsar Secretariat among others.
Six countries — Colombia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Gabon, Mexico and Zambia — initially launched the initiative at the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York in March 2023.
