Key Decisions from COP 28: Paving the Way for Greener Future

COP 28 has concluded with several groundbreaking decisions, each pivotal for addressing climate change and steering global action towards sustainability.

1. Fossil Fuel Transition: A historic first, nearly 200 countries agreed to reduce global fossil fuel consumption, emphasizing an orderly transition away from oil and gas.

2. Renewable Energy and Efficiency Boost: Over 117 countries pledged to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030, aiming for a significant leap in sustainable energy use.

3. Loss and Damage Fund: Developed countries, primarily responsible for climate change, pledged at least $700 million to support vulnerable nations facing climate impacts.

4. Coal Phase-Down: The final text calls for an accelerated phase-down of unabated coal power, aligning with the needs of countries like India to balance power demand with affordability.

5. Methane Emission Reductions by Oil and Gas Firms: In a COP first, major oil and gas companies, accounting for 40% of global oil production, committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and significant methane emission reductions by 2030.

6. Food and Agriculture Declaration: Recognizing the role of food systems in carbon emissions, over 130 countries acknowledged that food contributes a third of global warming gases.

7. Climate and Health Declaration: For the first time in UN climate talks, the health impacts of climate change were highlighted, calling for actions that also benefit health, like reducing air pollution and promoting sustainable diets.

8. Global Cooling Pledge: Over 60 countries committed to reducing cooling-related emissions by 68% globally by 2050, focusing on energy-efficient technologies and sustainable refrigerants.

These decisions mark a significant shift in global climate policy, with a collective move towards sustainable practices, energy efficiency, and a more robust response to the climate crisis.

SRIRAM’s