DUBAI - In a groundbreaking move, the COP28 Presidency has unveiled a proposed text for a final climate deal that urges nations to shift away from fossil fuels in a bid to mitigate the severe impacts of climate change. Released on Wednesday during the conference in Dubai, the draft, intended to represent the consensus of nearly 200 participating countries, signals a historic departure from the fossil fuel era. Despite resistance from OPEC and its allies, governments are pushing for robust language committing to a transition.

The proposed agreement advocates for a threefold increase in global renewable energy capacity by 2030, an expedited reduction in coal usage, and the acceleration of technologies like carbon capture and storage to address challenging-to-decarbonize industries. This marks a pivotal moment, as it would be the first time in the three-decade history of COP climate summits that nations collectively commit to moving away from oil, gas, and coal, responsible for 80% of global energy consumption and the majority of greenhouse gas emissions.

Kenya's climate change envoy, Ali Mohamed, expressed acceptance of the proposed deal, stating, "Our assessment is that we can live with this text." However, some concerns remain, with Rachel Cleetus, the policy director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, emphasizing that the financial and equity aspects are inadequate, particularly in supporting developing countries in their transition away from fossil fuels.

The fate of the proposed deal hangs in the balance, as it is uncertain whether it will garner sufficient support for adoption. Notably, OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais has rallied OPEC members to resist any agreement targeting oil, advocating instead for emissions reduction targets. OPEC, with control over 80% of the world's proven oil reserves and a significant share of global oil production, contends that technology, such as carbon capture, can mitigate the environmental impact of fossil fuels.

While Saudi Arabia has been a staunch opponent of anti-fossil fuel language, other OPEC and OPEC+ members, including Iran, Iraq, and Russia, have also shown resistance. The negotiations underscore the challenging task of achieving a global consensus on transitioning away from fossil fuels and the imperative to balance environmental goals with economic considerations.