The world's biggest conference for nations dealing with climate change just started, and for the first time ever, leaders have officially said they want to 'transition away from fossil fuels'.
To many, this is a major victory. Fossil fuels are at the heart of global warming, and burning them releases massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that trap heat and accelerate rising temperatures.
The transition won't be easy or quick – not even close to it. But for the first time ever, countries have started talking about phasing out fossil fuels as an option.
The move was made in a resolution passed during COP28, in Dubai last year. It stated "countries should work together to achieve a global net-zero emissions future". The resolution added that if every country took action, by 2050, the world could be carbon neutral.
There has been mixed reaction to this move from fossil fuel producers and consumers. Some argue it is too little, too late – the damage caused by climate change cannot be reversed in our lifetimes.
While others welcome the step forward. For many countries, especially those that are rich on fossil fuels, this means a major shift away from their main source of income.
Many say phasing out fossil fuel production will require huge investments and policy changes across the world. Others argue it is unrealistic to expect any country to give up its oil and gas reserves completely.
Brazil's COP30 is taking place now – one of the countries that welcomed this resolution. Brazil does not believe it has enough power over the agenda but can be guided by what parties want.
Some countries are calling for a declaration on transitioning away from fossil fuels, while others are proposing the "fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty." They say they will work together to reduce their reliance on these fuels – even if they don't agree on how.
A proposal has been put forward in Colombia about moving towards 'carbon neutrality' by 2050. Several countries have signed up to this initiative but a roadmap has not yet been agreed upon.
If successful, it would mean that almost all countries involved could participate in an ongoing dialogue and set targets for phasing out their use of fossil fuels.
To many, this is a major victory. Fossil fuels are at the heart of global warming, and burning them releases massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that trap heat and accelerate rising temperatures.
The transition won't be easy or quick – not even close to it. But for the first time ever, countries have started talking about phasing out fossil fuels as an option.
The move was made in a resolution passed during COP28, in Dubai last year. It stated "countries should work together to achieve a global net-zero emissions future". The resolution added that if every country took action, by 2050, the world could be carbon neutral.
There has been mixed reaction to this move from fossil fuel producers and consumers. Some argue it is too little, too late – the damage caused by climate change cannot be reversed in our lifetimes.
While others welcome the step forward. For many countries, especially those that are rich on fossil fuels, this means a major shift away from their main source of income.
Many say phasing out fossil fuel production will require huge investments and policy changes across the world. Others argue it is unrealistic to expect any country to give up its oil and gas reserves completely.
Brazil's COP30 is taking place now – one of the countries that welcomed this resolution. Brazil does not believe it has enough power over the agenda but can be guided by what parties want.
Some countries are calling for a declaration on transitioning away from fossil fuels, while others are proposing the "fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty." They say they will work together to reduce their reliance on these fuels – even if they don't agree on how.
A proposal has been put forward in Colombia about moving towards 'carbon neutrality' by 2050. Several countries have signed up to this initiative but a roadmap has not yet been agreed upon.
If successful, it would mean that almost all countries involved could participate in an ongoing dialogue and set targets for phasing out their use of fossil fuels.
. It's a major step forward and shows that countries are starting to take climate change seriously.
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! It's like, we've been knowing this is gonna happen for ages, right? I mean, climate change is no joke and we need to take action ASAP 
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. I'm all about DIY solutions too, so if countries start working together on phasing out fossil fuels, that's like, totally my jam 
! We can make this happen if we all pitch in and support each other.
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. Like, what kind of policies and investments will we need to make? And how can we make sure it's not just big countries making the rules, but all of us working together 
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I think this is a step in the right direction, but we gotta be realistic about it taking time to implement 
. Phasing out fossil fuels won't happen overnight, and it's gonna take serious investments from governments & industries. I'm not sure if all countries can give up their oil & gas reserves completely, it's like asking a company to just stop existing overnight 
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OMG can you believe it?? they're finally talking about transitioning away from those bad boys - Fossil Fuels 
! I've been saying this for ages, we gotta get rid of them ASAP or else we're toast 
! I mean I know it's not gonna be easy, but like the article said it's a step in the right direction, you feel? 
. And yeah it's gonna require some major investments, but I'm all for it 
. The alternative is we just keep on burning and waiting for the inevitable... 
No thanks!
. We need to see some serious investments in clean energy and policies put in place ASAP 
. Some countries might struggle to adapt, especially those that rely heavily on fossil fuels. But I think it's a step in the right direction 
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️ I don't see how phasing out fossil fuels is going to make a difference – we're still gonna be burning stuff, just in some lab or factory somewhere 
And what's the point of having targets and roadmaps if everyone's just gonna change their minds again 
, and now we're talking about transitioning away from fossil fuels? It's crazy to think that countries are finally agreeing on a global goal to be carbon neutral by 2050 
so finally we got nations on board with phasing out fossil fuels its like a big ol' 
rocket ship blasting off into the cosmos let's get this carbon neutral party started!!! 
but seriously, its huge that leaders are acknowledging the need to transition away from these polluting fuels the damage caused by climate change is real and we can't just sit back and wait for it to reverse 
what's key now is working together, investing in renewable energy sources, and setting realistic targets