Scientific evidence overwhelmingly paints a stark picture: fossil fuels are driving climate change, wreaking havoc on our planet through extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and ecosystem disruptions.
To keep global warming within the critical 1.5°C threshold, a rapid transition to renewable energy sources is no longer a choice, but an absolute necessity. The global stocktake has delivered a sobering message: global greenhouse gas emissions must be slashed by 43% by 2030, compared to 2019, to avoid catastrophic consequences.
Unfortunately, we are falling behind in climate actions after eight years into the Paris Agreement, nations are still lagging behind their pledged commitments. This is not a time for complacency; it’s a wake-up call. The transition to clean energy is imperative for securing a habitable future. The first-ever global stocktake underscores the urgent need to move away from fossil fuels and invest in the development and implementation of climate action plans.
At COP28, nearly 200 parties agreed to intensify climate action before 2030, a crucial step towards stabilizing global temperatures with the reduction of fossil fuel use. The global stocktake is a roadmap for strengthening climate action plans by February 2025.
The inclusion of fossil fuel discussions for the first time marks a significant turning point, signifying the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era and paving the way for the widespread adoption of renewable energy. COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber emphasizes that the fossil fuel language in the final agreement signifies a clear path toward full renewable energy adoption.
The stocktake evaluated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and it called for more ambitious economy-wide emission reduction targets encompassing all greenhouse gases, sectors, and categories
The key measures highlighted in the stocktake are tripling renewable energy capacity, doubling energy efficiency improvements by 2030, phasing down unabated coal power, eliminating inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, and ensuring a just and equitable transition. Developed countries are expected to continue taking the lead by resolving to end dependence on fossil fuels for energy.
“While we didn’t turn the page on the fossil fuel era in Dubai, this outcome is the beginning of the end,” declared UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. “Now, all governments and businesses need to turn these pledges into tangible results, without delay.” The future is clear: fossil fuels are nearing their end and renewable energy beckons. Let’s embrace this transformation with unwavering commitment, working together to secure a clean, sustainable future for generations to come.”
