EU nations plan to push for a global pact to eliminate fossil fuels at UN COP28 in Dubai this November, per a draft EU stance.

In preparations for the summit, diplomats from the EU’s 27 member states are outlining their stance, with nearly 200 countries converging to strengthen measures against climate change.

The draft of the EU’s negotiating position, viewed by Reuters, emphasized the necessity of transitioning to a climate-neutral economy by globally phasing out unabated fossil fuels and curbing their consumption in the near future.

The term ‘unabated’ pertains to fossil fuels burned without utilizing technology to capture resulting CO2 emissions. It is noted in brackets within the draft text, implying ongoing debate about its inclusion.

EU diplomats are optimistic about reaching an agreement at COP28 but anticipate resistance from economies heavily reliant on oil and gas sales revenue.

The document, still undergoing negotiation and subject to change before its finalization in October, suggests that the energy sector should substantially reduce its reliance on fossil fuels ‘well ahead of 2050,’ citing the availability of cost-effective, CO2-free energy sources.

While a proposal to phase out CO2-emitting fossil fuels garnered support from over 80 countries at last year’s UN climate summit, oil and gas-rich nations, including Saudi Arabia, remained opposed.

Some countries with fossil fuel-intensive economies prefer to concentrate on developing CO2 emission capture technologies instead of reducing fossil fuel usage. Disagreements on this matter led to a lack of consensus among G20 ministers last month regarding fossil fuel reduction.

Certain EU member states that advocate for more rapid CO2 reduction are pushing for limitations on CO2-capturing technologies, reserving their use for sectors without alternative solutions.

Although not legally binding, a global fossil fuel phase-out agreement intends to establish a guiding principle for future climate negotiations, governmental policies, and investments, steering them toward energy sources and technologies that do not contribute to global warming.