By Sheila Doucet, AAWE Paris
Language matters, especially in official UN reports and texts that countries – or parties – negotiate and agree to uphold. The annual COP, the 28th of its kind and last held in December 2023 in Dubai, was no exception to this practice. As Civil Society Observers and members of the Women & Gender Constituency (WGC), we begin each day receiving updates provided by working group chairs at the morning caucus. We learn about the latest developments in key topic area where terms – “language,” positions and subsumed implications – are debated, suggested and more often than not, dismissed or tabled because parties have not yet been able to overcome divergent views and entrenched positions.
One critical topic at COP28 was how a term from the recently released Global Stocktake (GST) report was treated. Without delving into too many dry details, the barest of background notes might be helpful:
1. The Global Stocktake (GST) is an official UN report agreed upon at COP21 in Paris to assess the programs and progress countries have adopted to limit global warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.
2. The GST synthesis report was released in September 2023, just as negotiations revved up for COP28. (“Technical dialogue of the first global stocktake synthesis” report.)
3. It was the first time an official UN document explicitly stated the need for a “phaseout of fossil fuels.”
As a result of these three points, there was a mini shockwave as people waited to see how this phrase would be addressed during COP28 negotiations: Would the term “fossil fuel phaseout,” or its cousin, “phase down” be adopted? Would countries cave to pressure and avoid mentioning the term “fossil fuels” in the agreed upon document altogether, as they’d managed to do for the last 27 COPs?
That is not to say that wrestling with one phrase would seal the fate of the future of fossil fuels. Any terms – be they “phase out” or “phase down” – require further rounds of negotiations to determine key elements such as an exact schedule for when and how this would happen; how to differentiate treatment of countries based on their historic levels of emissions and current stage of economic development; how this transition is financed; and what are the penalties or consequences if a country’s targets are missed – to name the most salient aspects? Ethically, this translates into: shouldn’t the countries, industries and/or activities which have historically contributed the most to polluting the planet lead the charge to real zero emissions?
If that conundrum weren’t enough to tackle, an important corollary is: by which metrics do we judge any proposed methodology or framework to achieve that goal?
Although a mouthful, this is one of the most powerful phrases I began to hear circulating towards the end of COP28:
“A fossil-fuel phaseout must be Fast, Fair, Funded, Feminist and Forever.”
Five words. Five commonly used adjectives which, when assembled, provide a compelling framework to evaluate technical, political or contractual solutions surrounding how to equitably pivot away from a fossil fuel-based economy. In short, it is not enough to call out our over-reliance on fossil fuels. It is not enough to say “Trust us; we will change our ways.” There appeared to be a coming-together among many advocates – whether they were countries such as the Alliance of Small Island States or the nine Civil Society constituencies whose members run the gamut from Research & Academia and Indigenous Peoples to Youth, Business and Farmers – and the findings from the GST report to insist that any equitable and just solution must address these five aspects if it is to succeed.
(Numbers in parentheses below refer to specific paragraphs in the GST report where extracted text can be found):
FAST: We are running out of time. “The window to keep warming to 1.5 °C within reach is closing rapidly, and progress is still inadequate based on the best available science.” (par. 80)
FAIR: Those who have contributed the least to emitting emissions are suffering some of the most devastating effects of climate change. Their specific needs must be addressed and remedied. “A rapid reduction of the world economy’s reliance in fossil fuels towards clean energy is central for reaching global net zero CO2 and GHG – greenhouse gas – emissions. To achieve rapid reductions in emissions, the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels is required and should be undertaken responsibly, including through socially inclusive phase-out plans developed as part of just transitions. ... The timing of phase-outs will differ for different contexts and fuels, and the phase-out of any unabated coal power needs to be accelerated in this decade.” ( 119)
FULLY FUNDED: The age of voluntary contributions is over. The call is to institute a permanent mechanism to ensure adequate funds are collected, sourced from the appropriate entities and furnished to the countries which need funding the most as grants. “Support for adaptation and funding arrangements for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage need to be rapidly scaled up from expanded and innovative sources and financial flows need to be made consistent with climate-resilient development to meet urgent and increasing needs.” (167)
FEMINIST: The needs of under-represented communities whose voices have historically been the least heard must begin to take center stage in any successful, just plan. A December 2023 report from UN Women entitled “Feminist Climate Justice: A Framework for Action” states “…. women shoulder disproportionately care responsibilities, have fewer economic resources than men, and have lower levels of literacy and access to technology. These inequalities are exacerbated by climate change.” A holistic, multi-faceted approach therefore must be addressed simultaneously: increased political empowerment for women and reduced emissions. Extract from the GST: “Integrating broader considerations into policy development and implementation can improve the ability to address equity and gender equality.” (133)
FOREVER:
If this checklist is adopted, what would that represent? A more comprehensive view of how to address the climate emergency at its roots – for the good of humankind and the life forms with whom we share this planet.
Five adjectives: Fast, Fair, Funded, Feminist and Forever.
All photos taken by the author during COP28, Dubai.