The COP28 Presidency unveiled a draft of a historic climate agreement urging nations to shift away from fossil fuels for the first time.

Representing the consensus of nearly 200 countries at the Dubai conference, the proposed text aims to steer clear of the worst effects of climate change.

Amidst robust negotiations, numerous governments at the conference pressed for firm language signaling the eventual end of the fossil fuel era, while facing opposition from OPEC and its allies advocating for oil interests.

Norway’s Minister for Climate and the Environment, Espen Barth Eide, hailed the draft as a milestone in acknowledging the urgent need to move away from fossil fuels, addressing a longstanding concern.

Scheduled for a final meeting, country representatives hope to conclude the negotiations and potentially ratify the deal after surpassing the conference’s scheduled duration by a day.

The proposed pact emphasizes transitioning from fossil fuels in energy systems toward achieving net zero emissions by 2050, backed by tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 and expediting measures to reduce coal usage.

This proposal marks a historic shift away from oil, gas, and coal, responsible for 80% of global energy and considered the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions, according to scientists.

Despite this progressive stance, the acceptance of the proposed deal remains uncertain. OPEC’s Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais, in a recent letter to members, rallied against targeting fossil fuels, preferring emissions reductions instead.

OPEC members, controlling a significant share of global oil reserves and production, advocate for carbon capture technology to offset climate impacts, though this technology remains costly and unproven at scale.

While Saudi Arabia spearheads opposition against anti-fossil fuel language, other OPEC and OPEC+ members like Iran, Iraq, and Russia have also resisted such measures during the COP28 talks.