The science is clear: We need to phase out all fossil fuels within the next 25 years, if not earlier. That is the only way to achieve the 1.5ºC ambition at the heart of the Paris Agreement.
Last week’s voluntary pledges and promises won’t cut it. In the last two days, ECO has read not one but two studies confirming this, from both the International Energy Agency and Climate Action Tracker.
For this COP to be a success, there is a bright red line: it must secure an agreement to fully, rapidly, and equitably transition away from all fossil fuel production and use – to phase oil, gas, and coal out in a way that is fair, fast, full, funded, and forever. This must be part of a comprehensive energy package, alongside tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency deployment, securing a reduction in total energy demand – while enabling energy access for all. A package that also delivers rights, participation and real world action in the Just Transition Work Programme.
ECO takes heart that there is serious momentum to say bye to fossils and usher in a renewable future in the text one day before it is due. But some of the richest nations are trying to pretend everyone has the same role to play, hiding their decades of fossil gluttony and the fatter wallets it has given them. Without a commitment from rich countries to do and pay their fair share to make it happen, the energy package won’t be worth the paper it is written on.
Countries already being pushed into debt by climate impacts need reassurances that they will receive the finance to be able to leapfrog to renewables.This success also depends on developed countries doing their homework and delivering on their historical responsibilities, and funding a just energy transition.
Let ECO be very clear: As ever, justice is the key to ambition and to the phasing out of fossil fuels. First, with explicit references to the principles of the Paris Agreement and Convention, acknowledgment of differentiation, and the fair funding and technology transfer developing nations are owed.
Second, ensuring the foundations of climate action are rooted in social justice and wealthy nations respond to developing states’ calls in the JTWP.
And third, in the GGA – committing to opening up their wallets at or by next year’s ‘finance COP’.
Some of the richest nations are saying one thing while doing another. This is nothing new, of course: ECO has pointed out that just five rich countries are on track to be responsible for over half of the world’s oil and gas expansion between now and 2050, even as they whisper seductive words around phasing out or phasing down fossils.
ECO will not stand for an energy transition that only serves to deepen existing injustices – and the reality is that an unjust or unfunded agreement for phaseout will mean no phaseout at all.