Groups demand decisive climate action as COP28 nears end

MANILA, Philippines — As COP28 entered its final few days, climate and energy groups called on governments to deliver an outcome that would keep the hope of limiting global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach.

“It is the survival of humanity. Breaching (1.5 Celsius) is a point of no return, and impacts will be ghastly for vulnerable countries like the Philippines,” Philippine Movement for Climate Justice national coordinator Ian Rivera said. 

The planet has endured a string of record-breaking temperatures and intensifying storms and heatwaves. Current efforts to limit warming to 1.5 Celsius, as set forth in the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, are falling short. 

Rivera stressed that COP28 should deliver clear agreements on fossil fuel phase-out, targets for the acceleration of renewable energy development, just transition programs, and scaled-up climate finance delivery.

Negotiators at the climate summit in Dubai made progress Saturday, but deep divides persisted following a last minute push by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to block a phase-out of fossil fuels, which are driving the climate crisis. 

The Power for People Coalition (P4P) welcomed the government’s signing of a pledge to triple the world’s renewable energy capacity and improve energy efficiency by 2030. 

But it was “gravely disappointed” that the Philippine delegation “continues to neglect its responsibility” to use its voice in demanding a global fossil fuel phaseout and a 100% renewable energy transition.

“We also need the government to quit dilly-dallying and start walking the talk in the just transition and renewable energy pledges it speaks of at COP 28, which are in stark contradiction to its continued peddling of gas, nuclear, and other false solutions,” P4P said. 

Ditching coal, oil and gas for cleaner energies such as solar, wind and hydroelectric is essential if the world is to meet the 1.5C goal and avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. 

An analysis commissioned by the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development suggested that a 100% renewable energy transition compatible to 1.5 °C, through phasing out coal by 2035 and gas by 2040,