UN climate conference in Dubai starts second half of the year
Published: Friday, Dec 8th 2023, 05:50
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Halfway through the World Climate Conference in Dubai, the outcome of the negotiations is still open, according to the Swiss delegation. "There are now texts on the most important negotiating topics on the table, but nothing has been decided yet," said environmental ambassador Felix Wertli to the Keystone-SDA news agency.
In the second half of the conference, the environment ministers will travel to Dubai to negotiate on the basis of these texts. Swiss Environment Minister Albert Rösti will also travel to Dubai on Friday to take part in the negotiations at ministerial level.
The second half of the conference will now show whether or not effective recommendations for moving away from coal, oil and gas will be made, according to Wertli, who heads the Swiss delegation.
At the 2015 World Climate Conference in Paris, it was decided to limit global warming to well below two degrees compared to pre-industrial levels, preferably to 1.5 degrees. However, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) showed in a report that this target could not be achieved with the measures agreed to date.
"We need a course correction at this conference," said Wertli. And: "It is important that the states agree on recommendations that really contribute to achieving this 1.5 degree target."
Phasing out fossil fuels
An important negotiating point at the conference is a phase-out of oil, gas and coal. According to Wertli, the demands of various countries are still far apart on this point. However, the resolutions of the World Climate Conference must be reached by consensus.
Oil- and gas-exporting countries in particular are resisting the calls for a phase-out. Conversely, numerous other countries, including Switzerland, are pushing for the phase-out perspective to be enshrined in the final document of the climate conference.
More unity on claims funds
There was more agreement on a new fund for climate damage, which was made operational and filled with money right at the start of the conference.
The conference will also discuss a resolution for the global expansion of renewable energies by a factor of three and an increase in energy efficiency by a factor of two. Switzerland supports such a resolution.
The World Climate Conference in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on the Persian Gulf runs until December 12.
©Keystone/SDA
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