COP28 - Our Global Leaders are Failing Us
Published 16 December 2023
COP28: a weak cop-out, signaling our global leaders are failing us
By Sue Coutts, External Affairs, Zero Waste Network and Polly Griffiths, Sustainability Manager, Sustainability Trust
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Held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, it was touted as an inclusive and progressive COP while being hosted in a country that is highly dependent on fossil fuel sales to keep its economy going and with questionable human and worker rights.
We don’t have any confidence that these climate summits are resulting in the urgent action that is needed. Perhaps not surprising when the number of fossil fuel lobbyists present has nearly quintupled in 3 years to 2,456.
For the first time fossil fuels were part of the negotiations around the text in the underpinning agreement but the key goal of locking in a “phase out” of fossil fuels was watered down to a “transition”. Expansion plans of the fossil fuel industry now remain valid investment options.
The International Energy Agency says if we want to stay within the 1.5 degrees of warming limit set through the Paris Agreement, we can’t afford to burn all the fuel already discovered let alone open any new reserves. The message being sold to us is still that we can continue to use fossil fuels if we invest in developing technology solutions. Without a halt on fossil fuel use, and significant reductions in our consumption of materials and energy alongside, electrification, energy efficiency and carbon capture will not be enough.
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As a business, we are concerned about Aotearoa New Zealand's future prosperity, and the financial costs of climate change are huge.
Aotearoa risks significant legal, economic, reputational and environmental consequences if we continue with future offshore oil and gas exploration. The country won the ‘Fossil of the Day’ award at COP28 for the plan to overturn the ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration.
We have signed the Kiwis in Climate open letter calling for the new Prime Minister to reconsider and applaud Wellington City Council for formally endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty proposal.
We can’t understand how the Government thinks it can reverse the 2018 ban on exploration for new oil and gas reserves but also say it will deliver on NZ’s existing climate change commitments.
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NZ is making progress in reducing emissions, but it is insufficient and we’re not on track to meet our climate goals.
The Climate Change Commission has just released its advice to Government advice to inform the second emissions reduction plan for 2026–2030. The advice makes 27 recommendations focused on areas where there are critical gaps in action, or where efforts need to be strengthened or accelerated.
This includes:
· Build more renewable electricity, such as solar, wind, and geothermal, and ensure networks keep up with growing and variable demand
· Support moves to swap fossil fuels for renewable energy in heating and industry
· Retrofit buildings so they are healthier, more resilient, lower emissions and cheaper to run
· Avoid installing new fossil gas in buildings where there are affordable low emissions alternatives
· Encourage households and businesses to switch to electric vehicles
· Make it easier for more people to choose public or active transport
· Directly resource iwi/Māori efforts to reduce climate pollution
· Phase out of organic waste to landfill
· Strengthen product stewardship
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission Chair Dr Rod Carr says:
“The Government has choices about how to meet the country’s climate goals. We all have a role to play, but policies that support reducing climate pollution provide clarity to businesses, communities and households and open up better choices for us all.”
https://community.scoop.co.nz/2023/12/government-policies-must-add-up-to-achieve-climate-goals/