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Big divisions loom over fossil fuels as COP28 talks head into final phase

By David Stanway, Gloria Dickie and Kate Abnett
December 10, 2023 11:43 AM CST Updated 5 hours ago

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https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/big-divisions-loom-over-fossil-fuels-cop28-talks-head-into-final-phase-2023-12-10/

Summary

* More than 80 countries pushing for deal that includes fossil fuel phase-out
* Countries still considering a range of options
* Pledges at summit only close a third of 2030 emissions gap if fully met

DUBAI, Dec 10 (Reuters) - The president of the COP28 climate summit on Sunday urged negotiators to work harder to find consensus on a proposed first-of-its-kind deal to phase out the world's use of fossil fuels, as the two-week conference entered its final stage.

The talks in Dubai have highlighted deep international divisions over the future role of oil, gas and coal that are complicating efforts by nearly 200 countries to hash out an agreement before the summit's scheduled end on Dec. 12.

A coalition of more than 80 countries including the United States, the European Union and small island nations are pushing for an agreement at COP28 that includes language to “phase out” fossil fuels, the main source of greenhouse gas emissions that scientists blame for global warming.

They are coming up against tough opposition led by the oil producer group OPEC and its allies.

Seeking a breakthrough on Sunday, COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber took the unusual step of convening a 'majlis' - an Arabic term for a communal gathering - where delegations could speak in a different forum to the formal forward-facing plenary hall.

"We are now in the end game," Jaber said. "I hope that you won't let me down."

Speaking in a circular configuration, delegations restated their positions, but it was not immediately obvious that the forum had yielded a shift in positions.

OPEC had issued a letter to its members and backers on Dec. 6 asking them to oppose any language targeting fossil fuels in a COP28 deal, and observers in the negotiations told Reuters that some of those delegations appeared to be heeding the call.
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https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/big-divisions-loom-over-fossil-fuels-cop28-talks-head-into-final-phase-2023-12-10/