Germany called on governments around the world to work towards setting an ambitious renewable energy target that would “mark the end of the fossil fuel era” and help prevent dangerous global warming.
Speaking at the start of a two-day meeting in Berlin attended by dozens of climate envoys, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock noted on Tuesday that the world must drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming up to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Celsius). Fahrenheit).
“But we also know that not all countries are willing to do that,” she said. “That is why I want to open the debate … on whether we should and can meet a renewable energy target at the next climate conference.”
Baerbock’s proposal reverses the script after an earlier attempt to set a deadline for phasing out all fossil fuels, which faced stiff opposition from major oil and gas exporting nations. Instead, they have supported the idea of capturing the planet’s emissions as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
Experts have said such technologies, known as carbon capture and storage, have not been widely proven and could require huge investments at the expense of cheaper alternatives, such as solar and wind power.
Triple green capacity by 2030
Sultan al-Jaber, a former executive of an oil company who will chair the COP28 climate summit from November 30 to December 12, urged countries to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.
“We will accelerate delivery in sectors such as renewables that need to triple capacity by 2030 and double again by 2040,” al-Jaber said in a speech at the opening of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue – a meeting of climate diplomats in Berlin.
Al-Jaber’s call marked a public endorsement of a target set by the International Energy Agency. Last month, during a closed-door meeting with G7 leaders in Japan, he had also raised the target.
The COP28 chairman also used his speech to call on developed countries to deliver a long-promised $100 billion climate package for developing countries.
“Expectations are high. Confidence is low. This is holding back progress, and as part of my outreach, I am asking donor countries to provide a final assessment of the fulfillment of this commitment before COP28,” said al-Jaber.
‘End of the fossil fuel era’
Addressing officials from about 40 countries attending the annual meeting, Baerbock said renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are already the most cost-effective form of energy generation in most places around the world.
“Our goal for the [climate conference] in Dubai must herald the end of the fossil fuel era,” she said.
The idea got a cool backlash from the United Arab Emirates, which is hosting this year’s UN climate summit.
“In a pragmatic, equitable and well-managed energy transition, we must be laser-focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions while gradually scaling up and scaling up viable, affordable carbon-free alternatives,” said al-Jaber. He placed particular emphasis on the word “emissions” as he spoke.
“We know that the energies used today will continue to be part of the global energy mix for the foreseeable future,” he added. “As such, we will work with the world to decarbonise the current energy system while building a new system capable of transforming even the most heavily emitting industries.”
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for an end to the use of fossil fuels, which are responsible for most of global warming since the start of the industrial age. But so far only coal has been notified with a commitment two years ago by countries to “phase out” its use.
‘Phase out reasonably’
Environmentalists say solutions must also be found for millions of workers in the coal, oil and gas industries if they are to be successfully phased out, as well as alternative energy sources for billions of people around the world who still rely on cheap fossil fuels. fuels.
“What we need to see come out of COP28 is not just about fossil fuel phase-out, but about equitable fossil fuel phase-out,” said Harjeet Singh, head of global political strategy at Climate Action Network International.
Diplomats attending the Berlin meeting will also discuss how to ramp up different forms of financial aid for developing countries most affected by climate change.
US climate envoy John Kerry has said the total amount needed to help all countries make the economic transition to a green economy will run into the trillions of dollars. Experts have said that in addition to aid, large amounts of money must also come from the private sector. Other sources, such as carbon taxes on air and sea travel, have also been put forward.
Pakistan’s Climate Minister Sherry Rehman made clear the impatience of countries like hers still grappling with the aftermath of last year’s devastating floods.
“We want to make progress in finding ways to climate finance that is real, that is actionable and that is delivered on time without institutionalized red tape for countries in need and countries in climate catastrophe,” she told reporters in Berlin .