At least 200 countries agreed at the COP28 climate summit on Wednesday to start reducing global consumption of fossil fuels and avert the worst of climate change through the reduction of global emissions by 43% by 2030.

Waison Wilson 

This is aimed at keeping the heat records at 1.5 Celsius.

COP 28 president, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber applauded the cooperation of the global oil and gas companies stepping up for the first time on methane and emissions and recommended implementation to effectively achieve the climate goal.

The development comes at a time when the world reached a global consensus to secure a clean energy transition away from fossil fuels.

Jaber said the global village races towards a goal to triple renewables and double energy efficiency.

“The world must take the steps necessary to turn the reached agreement into tangible actions,” he said.

He applauded the efforts by the country members in pushing for the declarations on agriculture, food, and health.

“More oil and gas companies stepping up for the first time on methane and emissions and we have language on fossil fuels in our final agreement,” Jaber added.

United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres said COP28 occurred was a decisive moment in the fight against climate change.

“It's important that the outcome of the Global Stocktake clearly reaffirms the need for limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C and that this requires drastic reductions in emissions in this decade,” he said.

Guterres said for the first time, there is a recognition of the need to transition away from fossil fuels – after many years in which the discussion of this issue was blocked.

European Union Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra cheered the COP 28 bargain for effectuating progress in decades of climate talks.

He said  COP28 will mark the beginning of the end of fossil fuels.

“The text we have in front of us sets in motion an irreversible, and accelerated transition away from fossil fuels,” Hoekstra said.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said she welcomed the successful conclusion of the COP28 UN Climate Conference and the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement. 

“It is good news for the whole world that we now have a multilateral agreement to accelerate emission reductions towards net zero by 2050, with urgent action in this critical decade,” Leyen said.

Countries in attendance agreed on reducing global emissions by 43% by 2030 to keep 1.5 Celsius within reach which is in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

“The world has committed to tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. This gives powerful momentum to the transition away from fossil fuels,” Leyen said.