9 am: 13th December 2023
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: As COP28 runs over time, the 5th version of the Global Stocktake text was released early morning, as countries now gather in plenary, 350.org responds.
Andreas Sieber, Associate Director of Global Policy and Campaigns at 350.org says:
“This new text is a step forward, though the bar was set low. Nevertheless, while not the historic decision we hoped for, it does put us on a path towards phasing out fossil fuels. Despite the record number of fossil fuel lobbyists in attendance, and a COP president who is the CEO of an oil company, civil society and more than 100 countries have won an agreement to rapidly move away from fossil fuels this decade. However, given the overwhelming momentum among countries in support of a renewable energy package and a long overdue fossil fuel phaseout, we needed a far more ambitious result.”
Landry Ninteretse, Regional Director, 350Africa.org
“Weaker and vague language on fossil fuel phase out in the global stock take is highly offensive to all who have taken this process seriously. It speaks to the blatant disregard for the plight of communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis that have contributed the least to it. Our expectation was that COP 28 would, at the very least, demonstrate commitment to course correcting and charting a path to a complete phase out of all fossil fuels, a sustainable future built on renewables, ambitious adaptation finance and clear technology transfer commitments by rich nations. It is unfortunate that the process and the parties have failed us and that the interests of petrostates have completely hijacked the climate negotiations. It is yet another COP of unmet expectations!”
Joseph Sikulu, Pacific Managing Director at 350.org says:
“The bar was set so low with the first draft text of the Global Stocktake that we are expected to be satisfied with this incremental improvement. COP28 promised us an historic achievement and what we have received is a lukewarm text, with many of our red lines for survival being crossed. Our islands deserve more than lukewarm – we deserve a clear commitment to stay below 1.5 degrees and the resources to adapt and transition our developing economies. While it does acknowledge fossil fuels as the root cause of the climate crisis, it again fails to call for the phaseout of coal, oil and gas. While it does acknowledge the need to triple renewable energy, it fails to set a clear quantitative goal. Every year, we travel across oceans to come to these negotiations and we continue to get only drops of ambition. So we will return home, and continue to build up resilience in our communities, but it is evident that we may do so without the strong backing of the international community.”
Peri Dias, COP28 Latin America representative for 350.org says:
“This year, we were outnumbered by fossil fuel lobbyists. At COP30, Indigenous people, those on the frontline and anyone contributing to climate justice must outnumber fossil fuel lobbyists and blockers. We urge the Brazilian government to start working on an ambitious process that puts people at the center of the Climate Talks. We have two years to make a difference – if the COP process is to deliver on something meaningful, this is the last opportunity”.
“In this critical decade for the climate, where governments at COP28 have chosen to play for a draw is, in fact, a resounding defeat. To untie the knot of future negotiations, the countries of the Global North must urgently assume their historic responsibility for the climate crisis and allocate the finance that countries in the Global South need to leave fossil fuels behind and fairly expand their renewable energy capacity. We can celebrate advances such as a mention of transitioning away from fossil fuels, but until the means of implementation are truly addressed, the solution to the climate crisis will always be postponed for the next year, and the terrible climate extremes already harming our communities tell us that we do not have the time for that. Our communities lead the way.”
Jeff Ordower, North America Director at 350.org says:
“Let’s be clear: this new text is only marginally better than the last draft, and the bar was extremely low. Some of the rich, top-emitting nations, including the US, want to be seen publicly to be calling for some kind of fossil fuel phaseout, but when it comes time to hold the line and use their political power to actually take accountability, they continue to cater to Big Oil and their own short-term profit the way the US always has. The continued over-reliance on dangerous distractions like carbon capture to keep 1.5C alive is not surprising, but incredibly disappointing. We commend the temerity and steadfastness of our Small Island Nation counterparts for holding the line for fossil fuel phaseout and powering up renewable energy and for dragging these negotiations along to the point where we are today. And yet, as a fellow climate leader stated, this text still leaves our most vulnerable around the globe with one foot in the grave. It’s time for the US Climate Delegation, specifically, to stop with the diplomatic games and to actually be the climate leader we claim to be. The US has an historical responsibility to frontline communities and the planet to lead on fully funding a fast, fair phaseout of all fossil fuel production and export and to stop relying on the expensive promise of unproven future tech to address the climate crisis that is an existential threat to our people and our planet today.”
Norly Mercado, Asia Regional Director at 350.org says:
“Asia, a region that is home to communities bearing the brunt of climate impacts and who have contributed the least to the climate crisis, needed COP28 to conclude with a robust outcome on climate finance. This updated text – in particular the acknowledgement that we need to leave fossil fuels behind – is an improvement that is thanks to the tireless work of the climate movement. However, COP28 could have gone much further to rapidly usher in a fossil-free, renewable powered world with the urgency we need. It needed the strong signalso deliver rapid, equitable finance to facilitate a just transition in the Global South and keep global heating under 1.5 degrees – on this front, it has not succeeded.”
Masayoshi Iyoda, Japan Campaigner at 350.org says:
“Although this outcome isn’t perfect and doesn’t meet the responsibility of COP28, the latest draft decision takes away the legitimacy of fossil fuel addicted nations including Japan in continuing to put off a renewable transition this decade. It is concerning that the draft decision leaves some room for dangerous distractions such as nuclear and CCS. Still, the science is clear enough: Japan must contribute to the Paris 1.5C goal through committing to phaseout all fossil fuels and support community-led renewable energy in the Asia region.”