"UNITED NATIONS - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday that countries must start phasing out oil, coal and gas - not just emissions - and demanded fossil fuel companies "cease and desist" measures that aim to "knee-cap" climate progress.
"The problem is not simply fossil fuel emissions. It's fossil fuels – period," Guterres told reporters. "The solution is clear: The world must phase out fossil fuels in a just and equitable way - moving to leave oil, coal and gas in the ground."
His remarks come after the United Arab Emirates, which will host U.N. climate change negotiations (COP28) later this year, said that talks should focus on phasing out emissions, not fossil fuels. Negotiators are struggling to agree to an agenda for COP28, due to start Nov. 30, which could put talks at risk.
Some wealthy Western states and climate-afflicted island nations have been pushing for a phase out of fossil fuels, while resource-rich countries have campaigned to keep drilling."
Michelle Nichols reports for Reuters June 15, 2023.
SEE ALSO:
"COP28 Outlook Soured By Climate Finance Blame Game at UN Talks" (Thomson Reuters Fdn.)
Advertisement 
