Talks on fossil fuels ramp up at COP28

A third draft of one of the most important documents on which governments will need to come to a consensus was released during the COP28 climate conference on Friday, with experts saying the latest version was still too wide open, even those representing developing nations such as India stressed on the need to ensure equity in climate action commitments.

- Jayashree Nandi

The COP28 entered its second and final week on Friday, with the phasing out of fossil fuels becoming one of the most divisive issues that need to be agreed upon for what will be the first Global Stocktake (GST) document.

The draft released on Friday gave new options for a phase-out of fossil fuels, with four of the five choices including some ways in which one of the leading causes of carbon emissions is abandoned.

“It is still a long way to go because there are lot of options. Everything is on the table. There are some problematic options including the no text option,” one of the observers said, asking not to be named.

Fossil fuels is one of the sharpest lines dividing the negotiations. Developed countries, including the European Union (EU) and the United States are pushing for a phaseout of unabated fossil fuels and a commitment that no new coal projects are initiated.

Developing countries have called such an approach highly inequitable since the cheaper coal power was critical for poorer nations, especially in the absence of adequate climate finance to transition away from fossil fuels.

India’s chief negotiator Naresh Pal Gangwar intervened during the plenary and said: “India is second to none in the desire for an ambitious outcome but that should be founded on equity and feasibility in a nationally determined manner.”

“During the first week, we have shared frankly in what we believe in. This is important to achieve the objectives of the Convention and goals of its Paris Agreement. We believe in the principles of the Convention and its Paris Agreement and sanctity of processes under them,” Gangwar added.