DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Nearly 200 countries agreed Wednesday to move away from planet-warming fossil fuels — the first time they’ve made that crucial pledge in decades of U.N. climate talks though many warned the deal still had significant shortcomings.

The approved agreement did not result in a heated debate as some had feared. It is more robust than a previous version that caused frustration among several countries. However, it does not require a complete elimination of oil, gas, and coal and allows for flexibility in how nations transition away from these energy sources.

Wopke Hoekstra, the European Union’s climate action commissioner, expressed relief at the conclusion of the COP28 summit in Dubai, stating that humanity has finally taken action that was long overdue.

Soon after the start of Wednesday’s meeting, COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber quickly approved the main document, which assesses the current state of the world’s climate and provides recommendations on how to get back on track. Critics were not given an opportunity to share their thoughts. The President praised the document as a significant step towards speeding up global efforts to address climate change.

The 2015 Paris agreement’s main focus is the document, which outlines the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. This goal is referenced 13 times in the document and is referred to by al-Jaber as his “North Star”. Currently, the world has experienced a 1.2 degree increase (2.2 degrees Fahrenheit) in temperature since the mid-1800s. Experts predict that this year will likely be the hottest on record.

A few moments later, al-Jaber forcefully pushed the document forward. Anne Rasmussen, representing the small island nations, expressed her dissatisfaction on not being present when al-Jaber announced the deal was finalized. She stated that the necessary changes have not been implemented and the deal only maintains the current state instead of making significant efforts to reduce emissions. She also voiced concerns that the deal may have a negative impact rather than positive progress.

After Rasmussen completed his speech, the delegates cheered, clapped, and stood up. Al-Jaber appeared displeased at first, but eventually joined in the prolonged standing ovation. The delegates from the Marshall Islands hugged and shed tears of joy.

After several hours, during a break from the main meeting, nations from small islands and Europe, as well as Colombia, joined together and shared hugs in a heartfelt display of backing for increased determination.

However, there was a greater amount of self-praise on Wednesday than self-punishment.

“I am amazed by the collaborative spirit that has united everyone,” stated John Kerry, the United States’ Special Envoy. He expressed that it serves as a powerful reminder that nations can still come together despite ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. “This document sends a powerful message to the global community.”

In a statement, Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres acknowledged that “for the first time, the result acknowledges the necessity of shifting away from fossil fuels.”

He stated that the time has come for fossil fuels to be phased out, and this transition should be done in a fair and just manner.

Simon Stiell, the United Nations Climate Secretary, urged delegates to make a significant effort to address humanity’s primary climate issue – the use of fossil fuels and resulting pollution. Although the fossil fuel era was not completely ended in Dubai, this outcome marks the start of its eventual conclusion.

Stiell warned individuals that what they embraced was a “vital step towards climate action, not a final goal.”

The latest agreement was put forward on Wednesday morning and was more robust than a previous version suggested a few days prior. However, it contained flaws that angered critics.

According to Jean Su, the director of energy justice at the Center for Biological Diversity, the text contains significant gaps that give countries like the United States, as well as other producers of fossil fuels, room to continue expanding their use of these resources. The flaw lies in the allowance for transitional fuels, a term that is essentially a cover for natural gas, a significant source of carbon emissions.

The objectives set at previous summits have not been achieved, partially due to the failure of major contributors to follow through on their commitments to address climate change, or their refusal to join in.

The agreement also requires a three-fold increase in the utilization of sustainable energy and a two-fold increase in energy conservation. During previous discussions, the summit established a dedicated fund to aid developing countries impacted by climate change, with contributions totaling almost $800 million.

The agreement does not aim for a complete elimination of fossil fuels, despite the requests of over 100 countries, including small island nations and European countries. Rather, it proposes a gradual shift away from fossil fuels in energy systems, with a focus on fairness and efficiency, and a call for urgent action in the next ten years.

Jennifer Morgan, the German representative for climate issues, stated that the distinction between “phase-out” and “transitioning away” can be viewed in a positive light. She believes that “phase-out” was meant to send a strong message, while “just transition away from” includes considerations of equity, particularly for developing nations that may not be able to act as swiftly as more affluent nations.

According to Li Shuo from the Asia Society, translating the two phrases into Mandarin or Japanese does not make any noticeable difference.

At a media briefing, Kerry described it as a “definite and straightforward statement regarding one of the most complex problems we confront.” He stated that the US desired more forceful wording, but achieving this from 195 countries was too difficult.

He stated that there were moments within the past 48 hours where some of the group believed this could potentially fail. However, they persevered and worked together, with individuals demonstrating good intentions and taking on responsibilities.

President Joe Biden of the United States described it as a significant step towards achieving the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. However, he emphasized the importance of countries taking further action in order to create a safer and more promising future for future generations.

The agreement stipulates that the process will be carried out in a manner that achieves a state of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, where the amount of emissions entering the atmosphere is equal to the amount being removed. It also aims for carbon pollution to reach its highest point by 2025, but allows for flexibility for certain countries, such as China, to reach this peak at a later date.

The document, which was the third iteration in a span of two weeks, does not mention the term “oil” in its 21 pages. However, the phrase “fossil fuels” is mentioned twice.

Al Gore, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient and advocate for addressing climate change, stated that acknowledging the root cause of the issue as a fossil fuel crisis is a significant step. However, he labeled the agreement as “the bare minimum” due to its inadequate measures and loopholes.

Gore stated that the significance of this moment in potentially marking the start of the end of the use of fossil fuels is determined by the subsequent actions taken.

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This report was contributed to by journalists Jon Gambrell, Malak Harb, and Bassam Hatoum from the Associated Press.

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Source: wral.com