At the United Nations climate talks in Dubai, United States special envoy for climate change, John Kerry, made a significant statement on Wednesday supporting a phaseout of fossil fuels. This marks the clearest statement yet on America’s position on this issue at the summit known as COP28.
Kerry emphasized that in order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, an end to the burning of coal, gas, and oil is necessary. According to many scientists, this is crucial to prevent the most catastrophic effects of climate change, especially considering that the planet has already warmed by 1.2 degrees Celsius.
“We’ve got to do what the science tells us to do, and the science has been clear,” Kerry told reporters at the conference.
However, he also acknowledged that deploying technology to capture and store carbon emissions from industries with no low-carbon or zero-carbon alternatives, such as steel and cement manufacturing, would be essential to achieve this goal.
While there have been growing demands from some countries for a fossil fuel phaseout, others, including Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing states, oppose such efforts. Under U.N. rules, unanimous approval is required for any agreement from the climate talks, allowing a single nation to scuttle the deal.
If an agreement to phase out fossil fuels is reached in Dubai, it would be historic, as past U.N. climate deals have shied away from including the words “fossil fuels.” Despite the challenges, Kerry pointed to the heavy investment in renewable energy and the inevitability of the global economy moving away from fossil fuels.
Environmental activists have praised the U.S. position, with David Nicholson, the chief climate officer of Mercy Corps, describing it as “good news” and “a positive sign.” However, it is evident that there is still a long way to go in addressing the global climate crisis.
Reporting from Dubai was contributed by Jenny Gross.