800 World leaders in Dubai summit unite, call for phase out of fossil fuel
By Samuel Ogunsona reporting from Dubai
A remarkable 800 World leaders at the on-going conference on Climate Change in Dubai have adopted a common position to end fossil fuel.
Their demand included signatories of Non-Governmental organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society groups.
The stakeholders call for the phase out of all fossil fuels in a just and equitable way to 1.5C within reach.
This was contained in a letter signed by over 800 world leaders made available to Irohinodua at the ongoing climate action summit in Dubai.
The letter which was presented to COP28 president, Sultan Al Jaber, sees the signatories of over 300 CEOs, more than 30 financiers, some 240 NGOs and over 70 world class scientists, as well as mayors, governors, investors, indigenous peoples, health professionals, young people, faith leaders, and athletes among others.
Some of the demands included but not limited to an orderly phase out of all fossil fuels in a just and equitable way, in line with a 1.5C trajectory.
It also requested for the halt and reversal of deforestation and land degradation as well as biodiversity and other ecosystem loss by 2030
The letter addressed to Sultan Al Jaber stated “We are pleased to deliver a letter, signed by more than 800 signatories from across the world.
“1.5°C Plan at COP28
Because later is too late
“As we enter the final days of COP28, we are at a tipping point.
“The world and its people need the strongest possible outcome to keep 1.5°C degrees within reach. But delivering on this historic task requires us to act like a team.”
They added that signals of transformation across sectors and society are all around us.
“At the same time, the climate emergency is biting harder than ever. It’s up to us to seize this opportunity – because what is achieved here in Dubai must mark a legacy moment which determines the fate of our future generations.”
They stated that :We – CEOs, NGOs, mayors, governors, investors, Indigenous peoples, health professionals, young people, faith leaders, scientists, athletes and more – stand in courage and resolve with the COP28 President and all Parties in bringing us together behind a rapid response plan to the Global Stocktake.”
The 800 leaders said to reach the positive tipping point, we know we need the following:
“An orderly phase out of all fossil fuels in a just & equitable way, in line with a 1.5C trajectory – whilst ensuring the tripling of global renewable energy capacity by 2030 from 2022 levels and the doubling of energy efficiency
“The enabling environment to scale up and shift public and private finance, with developed countries taking the lead in action and support; putting a price on carbon and tripling investments for renewable energy
The halt and reversal of deforestation and land degradation as well as biodiversity & other ecosystem loss by 2030; ensure resilient food systems and deliver a strong global goal on adaptation”
They noted that the outcomes must be supported by the implementation and of Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans well before COP30 in 2025 which align with 1.5°C and incorporate multi-stakeholder efforts within them.
