A demand for targets for the phase-out of fossil fuels in the final agreement of COP28 in Dubai is not frivolous but an urgent request backed by "crystal clear" science, Europe's climate commissioner told AFP on Tuesday.
The European Union is willing to take "additional steps" to help developing countries, particularly regarding climate damages, revealed the newly-minted commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, who has been under fierce scrutiny for his past experience in the oil industry.
But that means all wealthy nations need to start contributing, he added from the capital of the United Arab Emirates, where ministers and negotiators gathered for two days of preliminary meetings ahead of COP28 next month.
- Key issues -
At the advanced meeting, the EU addressed "core elements" that the Dutch commissioner said would "determine the outcome and the success" of the upcoming United Nations climate talks.
Those elements range from mitigation, the loss and damage fund, to adaptation.
Within mitigation, Hoekstra said, the EU has a "desire to drive out fossil fuels", to peak global GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions by 2025, tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency by 2030,
"Of course some of these items are less controversial: it will be easier to rally around renewable energy targets and energy efficiency targets" than phasing out fossil fuels, he said.
Referring to a speech by Sultan Al Jaber who will be hosting the talks, in which he said "science should lead us", Hoesktra said that should not be applied "a la carte" but across policies and decisions.
"We also need to acknowledge that more money is needed. Scientists say to us that is needed and the window is closing," he added.
- Climate finance -
The European Union has been a leader among developed nations in working to fulfil a promise to provide $100 billion in annual aid to developing countries, by contributing a "very substantial" $26 billion toward it, he said.
"We are very much willing and committed" to help set up the new loss and damage fund for vulnerable nations.
While the precise parameters of the fund remain hotly debated, he cautioned that "we can only do this right once".
This fund is meant really for those most in need... in particular, small island developing states who are clearly most on the receiving end of climate change and have no responsibility whatsoever for what is happening," he said.
Those contributing to the funds should be broadened, he said, "to everyone who has the ability to pay amongst nations".
Not singling one particular country out, he said by ranking countries by GDP, it is clear who has seen economic progress and "with being a sizable economic power, comes a lot of responsibility".
However the two days of pre-COP28 talks wrapped up in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday with plenty of positive comment but no agreement.
A key issue that emerged in earlier talks this year over the structure, beneficiaries and contributors of the fund is that richer nations want China, the Gulf nation and Singapore to pay into it.
The fund not only addresses the hazards that climate change -- instigated by the most industrialised nations -- has imposed on poorer nations, but would also foster "that amazingly important, yet intangible thing called trust" between the North and the South, said Hoesktra.
- Fossil fuel end date -
Asked whether the EU will be see
king a final agreement on targets to phase out fossil fuels at the COP28 talks, Hoekstra replied; "the most renowned experts in the world (are) actually telling us that we need more action".
That action requires "rapidly driving out fossil fuels in general, and coal in particular," he said.
"This is not the frivolity of the European Union," he said. "It is not a matter of picking and choosing, or of political manoeuvring."
The world cannot wait 10 years to set a scheme, he said, because "the window of opportunity is closing" and "future generations need us to act now".
Artificial Intelligence Analysis
Objective:
The objective of this text is to discuss the importance of setting targets for the phase-out of fossil fuels at the upcoming COP28 meeting in Dubai.
State-of-the-Art and Limitations:
The current state-of-the-art is that the European Union is willing to take “additional steps” to help developing countries, particularly regarding climate damages. However, there are limitations in implementing the phase-out of fossil fuels, as this is a controversial issue and additional funds are needed to make it successful. New Approach and Why It Will Succeed:
The EU has proposed several core elements to determine the outcome of COP28, such as mitigation, a loss and damage fund, and adaptation. These are expected to help in the phase-out of fossil fuels, by tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. This new approach should succeed as it focuses on measures that are less controversial and have greater support from the public. Target Audience and Impact:
The target audience of this text is COP28 and the international community. If successful, the phase-out of fossil fuels will have a significant, positive impact on the environment and the global climate.
Risks Involved:
The risks involved in pursuing this approach include potential opposition from those who do not support the phase-out of fossil fuels, and the need for additional funds to make it successful. Cost and
Timeline:
The cost of pursuing this approach is unknown, as the amount of additional funds required is yet to be determined. The timeline for achieving results is also unknown, as it will depend on the outcome of the COP28 negotiations.
Success Metrics:
The mid-term and final success metrics for this approach depend on the outcome of the COP28 negotiations.
Score: 8/10
The text clearly articulates the objectives of the COP28 meeting and explains the new approach proposed by the EU. It also provides a good assessment of the risks, target audience and potential impact of this approach. However, the cost and timeline for achieving results are unknown.
