ECO could not be more excited about the start of the annual GST dialogue, and in particular the first roundtable on “integrating GST Outcomes into the updating and preparation of NDCs“. In case the Dubai flaring fumes impacted delegates’ memory, ECO would like to kindly remind that COP28 agreed to a “transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly and equitable manner”, an outcome called “historic” by many.
Today is a good day to remember that agreement, because yesterday the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called out “the Godfathers of climate chaos” in the oil and gas industry, and urged leaders to slash emissions, boost climate finance, and clamp down on the fossil fuel industry – including by banning fossil fuel advertising.
Against that background, ECO would also like to stress that unless the Dubai commitment to transition away from the fossil fuels that fire climate chaos is reflected in countries’ next NDCs, it will be as useless as sunscreen many of these past days in Bonn.
We can only imagine the anxiety of delegates facing the seemingly impossible task of explaining how their country will translate the UNFCCC word salad into 1.5°C-aligned NDCs. Fear not, dear delegates, ECO’s feeling generous today and will provide you with talking points that will make sure you’re safe from the Secretary General’s wrath.
The first thing to say is that you now recognize the errors of your ways and that your new NDC will contain an immediate end to new oil, gas and coal extraction projects. ECO hopes it doesn’t have to remind you about the abundant scientific literature showing that new fossil fuel projects are not compatible with the 1.5°C limit that you all swore to uphold. And yes, that also applies to COP presidencies, declining global hegemons and socio-democratic petrostates (and no, your oil is not cleaner).
The second thing, if you’re a Global North delegate, is to recognize you have both the responsibility and the means to phase out your production and consumption of fossil fuels fastest. ECO would like to remind that five Global North countries are on track to account for half of planned oil and gas expansion by 2050. ECO is quite certain this does not qualify as an “equitable” transition. And then to be thorough, you’ll also announce that your country will stop burning coal by 2030 and gas by 2035, and that you’ll of course refuse any false solutions such as so-called abatement technologies.
And now speaking about gas, ECO is worried about some of you, dear delegates. The GST decision mentions so-called “transitional fuels.” Is this “transitional fuel” in the room with us right now? No, it appears this means fossil gas, and that is not ok. A real transitional fuel would not be another fossil fuel whose extraction, transportation and emissions are devastating communities around the world.