COP28 draft text skips out on a full fossil fuel phaseout: The highly anticipated draft of the COP28 Global Stocktake delivered a range of global targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, but it fell short of including the “phaseout” or “phase down” of fossil fuels, The Guardian reports. Rather than deliver the awaited goal to phase out of fossil fuels, the draft text stated that fossil fuel production and consumption is to be reduced by 2050 in line with “scientific advice,” avoiding any mention of the contentious “phaseout” language despite being called for by over 80 countries.

What’s on the table, then? The Global Stocktake draft, released by the UN climate body, called for a number of actions that countries “could” take to rapidly reduce global emissions, including:

  • Tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling the rate of achieving energy efficiency by 2030.
  • Accelerating the phasing down of unabated coal and limiting unabated coal production.
  • Accelerating zero and low emissions technologies and removal technologies such as carbon capture and utilization and storage.
  • Reducing consumption and production of fossil fuels, in a just, orderly and equitable manner so as to achieve net zero by, before, or around 2050.
  • Accelerating and substantially reducing global non-CO2 emissions, especially methane, by 2030.
  • Accelerating emissions reductions from road transport through a range of pathways, including development of infrastructure and deployment of zero and low emission vehicles.

The draft’s language is contentious: While the draft — if adopted without amendments — would go down in history as the first official text calling for a global reduction of fossil fuels, negotiators noted there is a lack of obligatory language given that commitments in the draft text are preceded by the phrase: “take actions that could include…” Time reported. “This text doesn’t send the clear signals that are needed to avert the climate crisis. The suggested set of actions is merely a pick-your-own menu,” Director of World Resources Institute ’s International Climate Initiative David Waskow said.

Some questions on the finance front: The draft also did not include “any language that points to the obligation of developed countries to provide finance for adaptation or mitigation,” Director of policy and campaigns at ActionAid US Brandon Wu said. “We also don’t see clarity on finance for adaptation. They say doubling adaptations, but doubling what? Where is the finance going to come from, will it be additional?” a member of the Chad delegation questioned.

However, some beg to differ: Despite all the vehement criticism, the text “recognises that the reality is that you can’t phase out fossil fuels before you have a massive investment in renewable energy which needs huge finance flows,” climate economist and adviser to Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Avinash Persaud told The Guardian. The draft is acceptable as long as it would deliver a promise to ramp up investments in renewable energy in developing countries, she reasoned, saying that it would be “the only pathway to a phase out of fossil fuels.”

It's unclear what’s next: Governments and negotiators are expected to continue intensive talks over the draft text until the relevant parties agree to sign the final pledge. It is unclear whether the presidency will be able to achieve this on the last day of the conference, raising the likelihood for talks to continue past the summit’s scheduled end date.

IN OTHER POLICY NEWS-

UAE unveils first groundwater mapping project: The Emirati Energy and Infrastructure Ministry (MoEI) and the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD) have unveiled the first hydrogeological map and geo-database of the UAE, which aims to document and manage the UAE’s aquifers and groundwater sources, Wam reports. The tool will map out comprehensive hydrogeological data on both the regional and local levels, including groundwater well locations, geologic structures, dams, springs, and groundwater quality. The map will cover the entire hydrogeological typologies and groundwater bodies UAE-wide based on a Geographic Information System (GIS).

Towards achieving sustainable water management: The initiative builds on and contributes to the UAE’s Water Security Strategy 2036, which targets securing water access and sustainability and enhancing water security. The UAE was named as one of the top countries prone to extreme water stress, ranking 7th most water stressed country out of 164 countries, making water insecurity one of the most pressing environmental issues facing the country. The UAE’s water level has dropped about one meter annually over the past 30 years and it is expected to run out of freshwater resources in about 50 years.

The UAE backs the food sector with a new program: The COP28 Presidency has launched a two-year partnership program on water-resilient food systems under the umbrella of COP27’s Climate-Resilient Food Systems Allowance to help developing markets step up water and food systems management efforts, according to a statement.

Other COP progress on food and agriculture: 152 countries have endorsed the COP28 UAE Declaration on Agriculture, Food Systems and Climate Action. Governments, philanthropies, and private sector players have so far pledged USD 3 bn in climate financing toward the food and agriculture industries at COP28.

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