Climate activists are concerned that the non-binding COP 28 deal, if fully implemented, would not protect humanity and the living world from apocalyptic destruction. They are critical of the deal and feel it does not treat the situation like an actual existential risk. However, the deal is recognized as unprecedented for specifically targeting all fossil fuels and transitioning away from them. The agreement emphasizes a just, orderly, and equitable transition, acknowledging that different countries will move at different paces. It also sets a hard deadline of 2050 to reach net zero, which is crucial for climate action.
Semafor’s Tim McDonnell says what made COP28 successful was the same thing that made climate activists skeptical about the conference: its host was an oil executive.
This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin and Isabel Angell, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
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