On the second day of the U.N. COP28 Climate Conference in Dubai, stark disagreements emerged regarding the future utilization of fossil fuels. Following COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber’s stance, urging a phasedown rather than elimination of fossil fuel use, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres presented a contrasting perspective.
Guterres, addressing the delegates, emphasized the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy, stating, “We cannot save a burning planet with a fire hose of fossil fuel.” He advocated for an accelerated and equitable shift towards renewable energy sources, aligning with the goals set in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Guterres asserted that limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius necessitates a complete cessation of burning all fossil fuels, not merely reduction or abatement.
