Cop28 live: presidency said to be preparing final package for delegates

Developing countries pushing for 'balanced package' as summit hopes to keep 1.5C increase alive? China 'would like to see agreement to substitute renewables for fossil fuels'The subject of whether the Cop negotiations achieve anything, or whether the process itself can be improved, is hotly debated every year.Former US vice president Al Gore told Bloomberg last week that the summits needed to be reformed so that petrostates don't wield so much power over the final outcome. The meetings are run by consensus, so any one country can block an agreement. Gore is pushing for decisions to instead be approved by a super majority of 75% of nations.Let's face it: climate summits are broken. The delegates talk and talk, while Earth systems slide towards deadly tipping points. Since the climate negotiations began in 1992 more carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels has been released worldwide than in all preceding human history. This year is likely to set a new emissions record. They are talking us to oblivion."There is a real urgency of action to keep the planetary pain threshold of 1.5° in reach. Today is the day the presidency takes over primary responsibility for figuring out what the most ambitious version of an outcome package can be at this COP. The COP presidency has reiterated many times that they are here to facilitate an ambitious decision. This means there needs to be strong language on the phase out of fossil fuels in line with 1.5C. At the same time, it is clear that least developed countries will not be able to go at the same speed as G20 economic powerhouses. They have to meet development needs but also have the opportunity now to leapfrog unsustainable decisions. This is why we need a package that combines energy transition and energy access. As the presidency takes us into "Majlis" (elder council formats), the question is: can we rise to the occasion and bring up the balance of the package to enable acceleration across the board. Or will we allow a small group of actors to tear down the chance of a historic decision that would give our businesses and our markets clarity about the long-term direction of travel." Continue reading...