COP28 ended with a vague mention of the end of fossil fuels, but without commitments

In the end, agreement was found at COP28.The 198 delegates to the United Nations Climate Conference they approved the so-called Global Stocktake, where, for the first time, we talk about the “transition away from fossil fuels”.The objective would be to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, but it is not made clear whether the definitive abandonment of gas and oil will actually have to take place by that date.In fact, the text did not include the expressions "phase out" or "phase down" (gradual elimination), which the oil-producing nations had opposed, starting with the host Saudi Arabia.The term chosen was instead the less demanding "transitioning away", to be implemented in an unspecified "fair, just and orderly" way.However, the wording adopted is overall vague and, above all, non-binding given the only and weak appeal "calls on", ("countries are called to...").«It is a historic agreement and I am proud of it – commented the president of the summit, Sultan Al Jaber – for the first time ever there is language on the exit from fossil fuels».In short, the first COP on climate presided over by oil companies will be remembered as the conference that began the end of the oil era.Unprecedented conquest or political deception?It is too early to say, even if the absence of specific commitments suggests that the summit will not prove decisive.

In any case, it is not at all certain that words translate into deeds.In fact, it is often the industries and countries most interested that dictate the agenda to prolong the life of fossil fuels. Only a few days ago OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, he urged its members to “proactively reject any text or formula that targets energy, i.e. fossil fuels, rather than emissions”.A very specific request that explains many things.Such as the attention paid to i controversial carbon capture and storage systems, of the technologies that, despite not having demonstrated the declared usefulness, will be used to continue exploiting fossil deposits that we will begin to call "sustainable".In this regard, even the most ambitious EU, which has called for a global shift towards fossil fuel-free energy systems, would be aligned not demolished well before 2050.Not to mention that the summit itself acted as a direct springboard for the birth of new agreements on oil and gas.The Emirati fossil giant, ADNOC, has put it as an example black on white of “discussing points” for 15 countries with which he would like to collaborate to extract new hydrocarbons.The same company whose CEO pulled the strings on climate negotiations.

Obviously there was no shortage of criticism.OPEC's invasion of the field was roundly condemned by environmentalists.But also by numerous delegates, except one: the Italian Minister of the Environment, Pichetto Fratin, who was among other things absent from the vote on the final agreement.For many, this attitude, reinforced by the language used by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, not dissimilar to that of Sultan Al Jaber, is no coincidence.The Italian multinational ENI, with 1.8 billion barrels of oil reserves and a series of development projects, is the first international partner of the Emirati ADNOC.Suffice it to say that, just over two months ago, a new agreement was even made between the two the exploitation of two natural gas fields in the United Arab Emirates worth 13 billion dollars.The beautiful country therefore continues to do business in fossil fuels while, with the promise of one hundred million, it places itself as the first donor to the fund to support the poorest countries vulnerable to the climate crisis (Loss and damage).Money of which, among other things, The origin has not yet been clarified.In this regard, Pichetto Fratin he limited himself to vaguely state that the funds are "part of the reasoning of the Mattei Plan", the same energy strategy that would like to convert Italy into the gas HUB of Europe.

[by Simone Valeri]