Fossil Fuels Take Centre Stage At UN Summit Of The Future
By Manu Shrivastava
In a landmark decision, the United Nations has endorsed a new agreement that highlights the critical need to move away from fossil fuels to tackle climate change. This pact, finalised at the Summit of the Future in New York on 22 September 2024, is seen by experts as a vital measure in the global effort to mitigate climate impacts.
The ongoing Summit of the Future is a 'high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.' The summit was first proposed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in 'Our Common Agenda' report published in September 2021.
The inter-governmentally negotiated and action-oriented pact, known as the UN Pact for the Future, has been endorsed by 143 nations and commits to "transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly, and equitable manner."
 |
| UN member nations pledged to transition away from fossil fuels |
Russia, Belarus and Iran were among the seven nations that voted against the pact and fifteen members abstained from voting.
This comes at a time when the world is increasingly experiencing severe climate-related events, such as extreme weather and rising sea levels.
A significant aspect of the negotiations was the reintroduction of the term "transition away from fossil fuels," which had been initially removed from the draft. Its reinstatement before the final adoption signifies a growing global consensus on the necessity of reducing fossil fuel dependence.
The pact reaffirms the commitments made at COP28, held in UAE, to "triple global renewable energy capacity and double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements” by 2030.
The members also pledged to accelerate efforts to reduce the use of unabated coal power, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
The overwhelming support for the pact indicates a strong global commitment to addressing climate change through collective action and sustainable practices.
International Climate Politics Hub's Catherine Abreu pointed out that phasing out fossil fuels has become the new benchmark for climate action. She emphasised that any country claiming to lead on climate issues will now be judged by their plans to transition away from fossil fuels. This marks a pivotal shift towards greater climate accountability worldwide.
Resonating with the sentiment of climate activists, Oil Change International's Romain Ioualalen stressed the importance of integrating fossil fuel reduction into the core of climate strategies. He urged nations to develop climate plans that halt the expansion of fossil fuels and include clear phase-out strategies. Ioualalen also called on affluent countries to set an example by committing to a new climate finance target of at least USD one trillion annually at COP29.
The adoption of the UN Pact for the Future marks a renewed global commitment to combating climate change through collective action and sustainable practices. As nations work towards these goals, the focus remains on transitioning energy systems away from fossil fuels.
The agreement represents a crucial moment in the global fight against climate change. By committing to move away from fossil fuels, countries are taking a significant step towards a sustainable and resilient future. The journey ahead will require ongoing effort and collaboration, but the adoption of this pact is a promising beginning.
