Greta Thunberg Calls COP28 Outcome a ‘Betrayal’

Greta Thunberg has criticized the results of COP28, calling it a “betrayal.” The conference, held in the United Arab Emirates, agreed to “transition away from fossil fuels” but fell short of the complete phaseout demanded by civil society and climate-vulnerable nations. Thunberg sees this as a failure of the COP processes and expressed her disappointment in a statement.

The 28th United Change Climate Conference, known as COP28, concluded in the United Arab Emirates on December 13. The final text, referred to as the “UAE Consensus,” includes fossil fuels for the first time in the history of U.N. climate summits. While some celebrate this milestone, Thunberg remains unimpressed, dismissing the outcome as not a “historic win” but rather a vague and inadequate response to the urgent need for climate action.

Thunberg voiced her discontent on social media and during a protest outside the Swedish parliament, describing the agreement as the “bare minimum” and rejecting the notion that it represents a “first step.” She emphasized that previous “first steps” have not led to meaningful progress, with emissions still on the rise and record-high temperatures being experienced.

Questioning the effectiveness of U.N. climate negotiations, Thunberg stated that COP processes are not designed to solve the climate crisis but rather serve as an alibi for world leaders to appear committed without taking substantial action. She called for immediate emission cuts, binding commitments from major contributors, and financial support for affected areas.

Thunberg’s criticism builds on her past concerns about COP meetings, and she highlighted the undemocratic nature of excluding members from small island states during crucial decision-making moments. She outlined her vision for successful climate action on social media, emphasizing the need for drastic emission cuts, binding commitments, and financial support in the most affected areas.

Thunberg’s remarks align with the concerns of other climate activists and scientists who criticized the COP28 deal for falling short of the 1.5°C target, insufficient funding for renewable energy transition in the Global South, and the inclusion of loopholes like carbon capture and storage technology promoted by the fossil fuel industry.

Scientist Rebellion released a statement calling for a global movement to keep fossil fuels in the ground. They criticized COP28 for not addressing essential measures outlined by the IPCC, such as eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and halting new gas and oil projects. The group emphasized the urgency of listening to scientists and engaging in civil disobedience to prevent the worst outcomes of the climate crisis.