Contact: Christopher Schuler, christopher.schuler@sierraclub.org
Dubai, UAE – Today, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP28) in Dubai came to a close, with parties agreeing to final language that includes an unprecedented call for a transition away from fossil fuels.
The agreement was reached after marathon negotiations continued through the night, extending the conference past its scheduled end date.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous released the following statement:
“Global leaders have the moral obligation to create a livable future for each and every one of us. In Paris in 2015, the world committed to doing so. Today, in joining together to call for a transition away from fossil fuels, world powers have taken the historic and necessary step towards making this a reality. The text that was agreed upon is a meaningful result of countless hours of global advocacy by Sierra Club and our partners across the world. Together, we not only forced global leaders to act, we fought back against the historic levels of influence—influence finally brought out of the shadows—that corporate polluters have had on negotiations.
“At a COP hosted by a petro-state, presided over by a literal oil executive, with fossil fuel billionaires and their lobbyists crowding the halls in record numbers, the world still charted a way forward. The progress made in the face of undue influence that created the climate crisis must not end in Dubai. Under President Biden’s leadership, the United States has once again engaged on global climate action, and it is imperative that we lead by example. The Biden Administration must lead a clear path forward for the rest of the world by stopping the expansion of the fossil fuel industry, starting with swift action to curb the expansion of LNG exports, pipelines, and drilling on our public lands and waters. The transition from fossil fuels that the world agreed to at COP28 needs to start today with consistent action at home.
“The world gathered in Dubai to attempt to find a path forward in the fight to avoid the very worst of the climate crisis—a crisis that worsens each day and impacts us all. As the global leader in oil production and the largest historical emitter of carbon pollution, the United States can and must lead the world forward in transitioning off of fossil fuels and onto clean energy once and for all.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.