Awe-Inspiring Spirit of Cooperation
U.S. special climate envoy John Kerry expressed his admiration, stating, “I am in awe of the spirit of cooperation that has brought everybody together.”
An Oil Country Decides to Ditch Oil and Gas
Denmark’s Minister for Climate and Energy, Dan Jorgensen, remarked, “We’re standing here in an oil country, surrounded by oil countries, and we made the decision saying let’s move away from oil and gas.”
Confusion Amidst Incremental Progress
Representing the Alliance of Small Island States, Samoa’s Anne Rasmussen expressed her confusion, saying, “We didn’t want to interrupt the standing ovation when we came into the room, but we are a little confused about what happened. We have come to the conclusion that the course correction that is needed has not been secured. We have made an incremental advancement over business as usual, when what we really need is an exponential step change in our actions.”
Adaptation: A Matter of Life and Death
Highlighting the urgency of adaptation, Bangladesh climate envoy Saber Hossain Chowdhury emphasized, “Adaptation is really a life and death issue … We cannot compromise on adaptation; we cannot compromise on lives and livelihoods.”
Historic Agreement with Breakthrough Commitments
Canadian Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault hailed the COP28 agreement as historic, describing it as a catalyst for near-term action and emphasizing its focus on a secure, affordable, 1.5C-compatible, and clean transition. He particularly highlighted breakthrough commitments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the shift away from fossil fuels.
Historical Responsibilities and Weak Efforts
Zhao Yingmin, China’s vice environment minister, stressed the unshirkable historical responsibilities of developed countries in climate change mitigation. Conversely, the head of delegation from the Marshall Islands, John Silk, expressed disappointment, comparing the progress made to a weak and leaky canoe.
Negotiating the Outcome as a Package Deal
Singapore’s environment minister, Grace Fu, urged all parties to view the outcome as part of a comprehensive deal and avoid being entrenched in their respective positions. She emphasized the need for flexibility and compromise during negotiations.
A Fossil Fuel Crisis and the Path Ahead
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore described the COP28 decision to recognize the climate crisis as a fossil fuel crisis as a significant milestone. However, he emphasized the importance of subsequent actions and financial mobilization to ensure a decisive shift away from fossil fuels.
Maintaining Objectives with Customized Approaches
An anonymous source familiar with Saudi Arabia’s position commented on the COP28 deal, stating that it provides a flexible approach where each nation can follow its own pathway while maintaining the objective of limiting the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius in accordance with their specific circumstances and sustainable development context. The source underscored the necessity of reducing emissions from all sources, seizing every available opportunity.
The COP28 climate summit has laid the groundwork for a global collective effort to combat climate change, with nations acknowledging the imperative of transitioning away from fossil fuels. Although challenges lie ahead, this commitment signals a decisive step toward a more sustainable future.