The world’s largest climate conference got under way on Nov 30 in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates (UAE) against a backdrop of record global temperatures and deadly weather disasters.
Calls have intensified for the two-week conference to agree on a timeline to phase out fossil fuels, the main cause of global warming.
But a major fight is expected over the language around the future of fossil fuels, still the world’s largest source of energy, especially in many poorer nations.
The key question is how to phase out coal, oil and gas in a timely but fair manner.
More than 70,000 people are expected to attend the United Nations’ COP28 climate conference in Dubai Expo City that will run until Dec 12 – a mix of government delegates, civil society, business groups, academics and the media.
Negotiators from nearly 200 nations are tasked with signing off on a deal that will put the world on a safer path by mapping out ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions, ramp up renewable energy investment, and significantly boost finance for poorer nations to turn their economies greener and cope with increasingly severe climate impacts.
“If we do not signal the terminal decline of the fossil fuel era as we know it, we welcome our own terminal decline – and we choose to pay with people’s lives,” UN climate chief Simon Stiell said at the formal opening of the talks. He added that the world has been taking baby steps to tackle accelerating climate change instead of the sprint that is needed.
“This has been the hottest year ever for humanity,” he said. But there were clear choices that could be made to make the world safer.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 01, 2023-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 01, 2023-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Dutch chef Sergio Herman opens Le Pristine in Singapore
If the zing of kaffir lime in the mussel antipasti, or the chilli king crab on the pizzette, or the soursop in the gambero rosso seem somewhat familiar, that would be Dutch chef Sergio Herman putting a little bit of Singapore into his food.
SINNER'S 'SPECIAL' YEAR-END TOP SPOT
First Italian to finish the year as No. 1 will clinch 7th title of 2024 if he beats Djokovic
Kiwis get down to business quickly
BARCELONA - New Zealand beat Britain in the opening America's Cup races on Oct 12, with the holders setting the pace in the early skirmishes with the challengers in the first-to-seven contest.
"'SPORTSWASHING' CRY AS NBA PLAYS IN UAE"
But commissioner Silver disagrees that its presence in a key market helps hide abuses
SailGP matures with new tech, stiff rivalry
NEW YORK - As SailGP approaches its fifth season of racing, this professional sailing league is finally flying on its own two foils.
WALLER-LANE IN GUINEAS UPSET
Private Life steals the show after inch-perfect front-running ride in Caulfield 3YO feature
Fintech exec began developing her investing acumen as a teen
Her initial better-safe-than-sorry approach has given way to a higher risk appetite now
Betting apps are more toxic than you think
Betting companies all publicly espouse their commitment to responsible gaming. They help fund programmes to combat addiction and give customers the option to exclude themselves from betting or to enrol in \"cool-off\" periods that keep them from logging in for a day or two.
Revival in demand for private resale homes
Volume of transactions in Jan-Aug up 11% from same period a year ago, data shows
How to plan for retirement when you are on your own
For Ms Sara Zeff Geber, the \"aha moment\" came a few years ago as she listened to a friend recount all the tasks she was taking on to help her increasingly frail 91-year-old mother.