COP28 has seen the world acknowledge the end of the reign of fossil fuels. 

A historic pact made at the summit marks a decisive shift away from coal, oil, and gas, recognising the harm they inflict upon the planet.

The final COP28 agreement explicitly calls for a “transition away from fossil fuels” such as oil, gas, and coal, due to their role in heating the Earth. 

This pledge, based on scientific evidence, is a major breakthrough for UN climate talks, which require consensus to finalise agreements. 

It also comes in the face of fierce opposition from several major countries eager to exploit their fossil fuel reserves.

Even the landmark 2015 Paris agreement failed to explicitly mention fossil fuel use, focusing instead on greenhouse gas emissions. 

The new pact reflects a growing realisation that extending the era of coal, oil, and gas, which has fueled unprecedented development for over two centuries, does more harm than good.

“Humanity has finally done what is long, long, long overdue,” said the European Union’s climate commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra.

However, despite framing this outcome as historic, many negotiators acknowledge that it falls short of their expectations. 

The language advocating for a more resolute “phaseout” did not survive contentious revisions, leaving room for continued fossil fuel use for decades. 

Additionally, the agreement lacks binding power, relying on various factors like financing, vested interests, and domestic politics for implementation.

“Whether this is a turning point that truly marks the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era depends on the actions that come next,” former US vice president Al Gore said after the announcement.

The negotiations revealed new fault lines in geopolitics as major Gulf oil exporters aligned with fossil fuel consumers like China and India in resisting fossil fuel goals that Europeans and island nations deemed essential. 

Countries such as the United States, Canada, Norway, and Australia called for phasing down oil and gas while simultaneously planning expansion projects.

The speed at which the deal was reached, catching observers off-guard, underscores its significance. The COP28 president, Sultan Al Jaber, swiftly called for a vote, met with unanimous approval.

However, not everyone is satisfied with the outcome. 

Anne Rasmussen, an official from the island nation of Samoa, expressed disappointment at feeling excluded and emphasised the need for a course correction. Her emotional speech garnered a standing ovation from half the room.

The compromise agreement, while significant, still leaves the planet on a dangerous trajectory. 

To meet the most ambitious Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the world would need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent by 2030. This necessitates yearly reductions comparable to those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

US President Biden hailed the deal as a “historic milestone”, but there were moments during COP28 when failure seemed imminent. 

John Kerry, US climate envoy, admitted that he had previously doubted the possibility of such an agreement. However, the growing demand for clean energy from consumers and investors, coupled with the clear signal to transition away from fossil fuels, is accelerating the shift.

Despite hosting COP28 in a lavish $7 billion venue funded by oil wealth, the United Arab Emirates ultimately played a crucial role in brokering the deal. 

The presence of fossil fuel lobbyists at the conference was instrumental in making the COP a less hospitable ground for their interests.

The primary goal of COP28 was to address the world's failure to meet climate goals, highlighting the urgency of tackling fossil fuels. 

While the agreement calls for carbon neutrality by 2050, it still leaves room for fossil fuel usage in certain sectors. 

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is included, despite its unproven track record and potential to prolong fossil fuel use.

Moreover, the agreement allows for “transitional fuels”, primarily natural gas, which is rich in methane, a potent climate pollutant. This decision raises concerns about its impact on climate goals.