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Wednesday, December 13, 2023

COP28 Closing Plenary: Transition away from Fossil Fuels, but major loopholes in package

The second major draft of the Global Stock Take has been presented, and negotiators are preparing for a final plenary at the UN Climate Change Conference.

Much of the discussion at COP28 has centred around the Energy Transition Package and the key debate  Phase Out of Fossil Fuels to meet the Paris Agreement 1.5C temperature target. Enabling climate finance for developing countries to transition has been recognised in the draft text but no developed pathways forward to address this problem. Global Goal of Adaptation has also largely gone under the radar, but is eqaully important for all countries, but especially developing countries

There are many loopholes in the energy package to continue fossil fuel use, but it is a major signal that the Era of fossil fuels is ending and a transition is underway. Will it be fast enough? Most likely not.

The Global Stock Take has been gavelled as a decision, to applause.

However, it was done without Samoa, speaking for AOSIS in the room. Who requested the floor and raised their concerns on  deficiencies in the GST. They received an even greater applause. But the decision had been adopted.


Comments added after the Plenary Livestream video:


16 items decision postponed


Smart Energy Council's Richie Merzian providing some perpective

13 December - Australia's Climate MinisterChris Bowen talking to the decisions adopted at the Final Plenary

13 December - Cop28 landmark deal agreed to ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels. Summit president hails ‘historic package to accelerate climate action’, but critics decry ‘litany of loopholes’ in final text (Guardian)

13 December -Prof. Stefan Rahmstorf on what a 1.5C pathway means


Standing ovation for Samoa pushback:

Samoa for Small Island States was not in the room when decision was gaveled. Speaks:

Samoa on GST

Speech by Samoa outlining concerns of AOSIS

The statement can be read on the AOSIS website

13 December - adopts new deal on transitioning away from fossil fuels in historic moment. Standing ovation in the plenary room as Sultan Al-Jaber gavels it through with no objections.

UN Secretary General:

13 December - Comment by AOSIS in a press release (via email):

AOSIS acknowledges that from a procedural angle, the revised Global Stocktake text is an improvement and does indeed reflect a number of submissions made by small island developing states. We welcome the inclusions to strengthen Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the strong references to the science, and inclusions to ensure there are various support elements to create a runway from this Global Stocktake to the next. However, our world’s window to keeping 1.5 alive is rapidly closing, and we feel the text does not provide the necessary balance to strengthen global action for course correction on climate change.

AOSIS has been very clear that the Global Stocktake must be the vehicle for delivery of course correction, yet it sputters in significant areas.

In terms of safeguarding 1.5C in a meaningful way –the language is certainly a step forward, it speaks to transitioning away from fossil fuels in a way the process has not done before. But we must note the text does not speak specifically to fossil fuel phaseout and mitigation in a way that is in fact “the step change that is needed”. It is incremental and not transformational.

We see a litany of loopholes in this text that are a major concern to us.

In paragraph 26 we do not see any commitment or even an invitation for Parties to peak emissions by 2025. We reference to the science throughout the text but then we refrain from an agreement to take the relevant action in order to act in line with what the science says we have to do.

It is not enough for us to reference the science and then make agreements that ignore what the science is telling us we need to do.

The paragraph on abatement” can be perceived in a way that underwrites further expansion. Phasing out of “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies is problematic, creating loopholes that were not there before. We see step backward with inclusion of energy poverty and just transition as caveats. “Inefficient” is an issue forus. The inclusion of “transitional fuels” is also quite problematic.

In sub paragraph 28 (d) the exclusive focus on energy systems is disappointing. We are concerned thatparagraphs 28 (e) and (h) in particular, potentially take us backward rather than forward. In subparagraph (e) we are being asked to endorse technologies that could result in actions that undermine ourefforts. We need to see guardrails around this language.

AOSIS now looks forward to engaging in a spirit of cooperation with our other Parties to accelerate action in this critical decade for our vulnerable communities.

13 December - My view on Draft GST Text (UNFCCC Link): 

This draft GST text doesn't deliver a fast, fair #FossilFuelPhaseout that a super majority of countries at #COP28 want, but it does provide a signal that Fossil fuels are on the way out.

  • Para 28a - incorporates tripling renewables and doubling energy efficiency globally by 2030 
  • Para 2b - weakened language about coal power phase down.
  • Para 28c - 'low-carbon fuels' is a loophole for Fossil gas use
  • Para 28d - spells end of fossil fuels: ' Transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems'
  • Para 28e  - opens up use of abatement technologies (a climate solution distraction)
  • 28h is a boost in language on inefficient Fossil fuel subsidies phase out adding "that do not address energy poverty or just transitions, as soon as possible"
  • 28f is about reducing non CO2 gases, primarily methane and nitrous oxide, important for short term climate impact
  • Para 28g focusses on reducing transport emissions
  • Para 29 substantial loophole for expanding #FossilGas.
  • There is little in Adaptation and climate finance for developing countries in this text, which is a hurdle to transition
  • An improvement on previous draft, but minimally so. Direction Commendable but with so many loopholes for continued coal and gas use.
  • Still a Death sentence to Pacific Nations
Para 69 acknowledges that climate finance is key for developing countries , yet the draft text fails to provide any solution. 
"69.  Notes that scaling up new and additional grant-based, highly concessional finance, and non-debt instruments remains critical to supporting developing countries, particularly as they transition in a just and equitable manner, and recognizes that there is a positive connection between having sufficient fiscal space, and climate action and advancing on a pathway towards low emissions and climate-resilient development, building on existing institutions and mechanisms such as the Common Framework;"

Draft GST text, 13 Dec 2023, Energy package Paras 28-29


13 December - Cop28: second draft text of climate deal calls for ‘transitioning away’ from fossil fuels. Latest draft does not include a commitment to phase out or phase down fossil fuels, as many countries, civil society groups and scientists have urged (Guardian)

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