Second Day of The U.N. COP28 Climate Conference

The second day of the U.N. COP28 Climate Conference in Dubai highlighted sharp differences regarding the future use of fossil fuels. While the president of COP28, Sultan al-Jaber, advocated for a phasedown of fossil fuel usage, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a complete cessation of their use. 

Guterres emphasized the need for a just and equitable transition to renewable energy, citing the 2015 Paris Climate agreement's goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

The contrasting views on fossil fuel use led to a prominent member of the COP28 advisory board, former Marshall Island President Hilda Heine, offering her resignation. Heine expressed disappointment over reports alleging that the UAE planned to discuss fossil fuel and commercial deals during the conference, which she believed could undermine the credibility of the negotiation process.

During the conference, Britain's King Charles III expressed concern about the world being off track in achieving climate goals, while Jordan's King Abdullah II linked climate change to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken connected climate change to the global food crisis, highlighting the projected increase in food demand and the potential reduction in crop yields due to the climate crisis. On the opening day of the conference, a $420 million fund was established to assist vulnerable nations in coping with climate change-induced disasters. This agreement was seen as a positive start to the conference and may pave the way for further agreements during COP28.

Source: voanews.com