The climate negotiations in Dubai concluded with an agreement to limit the consumption of fossil fuels, which was both significant and delayed by 30 years.

The two-week convention, hosted in the wealthy desert nation of the United Arab Emirates and led by a chief executive officer in the oil industry, brought two conflicting truths together in a difficult clash. Our planet is experiencing dangerous levels of heat, yet our dependence on coal, oil, and natural gas remains deeply intertwined with humanity.

On Wednesday, the discussions concluded with a pact among nearly 200 nations to “move away from using fossil fuels,” with a particular focus on expediting the transition before 2030. However, the agreement also satisfied oil-rich countries in the Gulf by explicitly permitting the use of these fuels during the transition. The approval was rushed, with representatives from vulnerable island nations still waiting to participate and expressing concerns about the language of the agreement.

However, the heads of the United Nations summit and delegates from prominent governments wasted no time in supporting the non-binding agreement as a monumental recognition that the global community must swiftly transition to more sustainable forms of energy.

According to U.S. climate envoy John Kerry, this document conveys powerful messages to the world. Kerry had taken a risk by supporting the controversial decision to appoint oil CEO Sultan al-Jaber as the head of the conference.

“He stated that this is a significantly more forceful and explicit request to stop global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius – a challenging and increasingly unattainable objective for international climate negotiators – than we have ever encountered.”

Several nations, including France, have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from air conditioning. Additionally, some countries have agreed to increase the use of nuclear energy and expedite the phase-out of coal.

The “oil and gas decarbonization charter” established by the presidency received backlash as 50 companies pledged to eliminate methane leaks by 2030 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from production by the middle of the century. However, it was heavily criticized by vulnerable nations and environmental organizations for being a form of “greenwashing.” U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres also expressed concern, stating that the promises made do not meet the necessary requirements.

At the midpoint of the conference, the IEA reported that the commitments made regarding energy were deemed as “favorable progress,” but cautioned that they would still fall short in achieving global climate goals.

As the conference came to a close on Wednesday, delegates delivered speeches before leaving for Dubai’s smoggy atmosphere. China, known as the top emitter of carbon in the world, had opposed the agreement to phase out fossil fuels during the talks. However, Vice Minister Zhao Yingmin from China’s environmental department acknowledged the conflicting expectations and practicalities outlined in the deal.

He stated that China believes climate action should include both ambition and practicality.