‘Profit prioritised over health’ — CSOs kick against failure to phase out fossil fuels

Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA), a body of civil society organisations, has criticised COP28’s failure to “totally” phase out fossil fuels.

At the climate summit, which was held in Dubai, countries agreed to transition from fossil fuels and not phase it out totally.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the health organisations said the full phase-out of fossil fuels is an urgent step towards protecting people’s health.

The organisations also criticised the summit’s failure to commit to strong targets for adaptation in building resilient systems for vulnerable people. 

Jeni Miller, GCHA executive director, said “signals alone are not enough”, adding that only “real action” will protect people’s health.

Miller said the failure of the conference to agree to a full and just phase-out is “deeply problematic”.

She said world leaders at COP28 did not act in alignment with the reality of the climate crisis.

“This year we saw superstorms, floods, heatwaves, droughts and wildfires, yet with the severe toll climate impacts are already taking on people’s health, it is disheartening that world leaders still could not align themselves on the obvious and urgent need for fossil fuel phase-out”, she said.

“It is also worrying that developed countries held back from recognising their responsibility to reduce emissions first and fastest, or from making clear commitments to support the most impacted countries to adapt, with adequate finance.

“Compromise may be a part of international negotiations, but children’s developing lungs, brains and bodies will not know what was achieved at COP28, if it does not drive the most rapid of transitions away from fossil fuels.

“Today’s outcomes will not matter if the air remains polluted and there is no food on the table due to drought. Pregnant women whose nearest clinic was destroyed by floods will not celebrate such modest steps towards eliminating the drivers of the climate crisis.

“Developed countries must address the needs of the most vulnerable, and lead us towards equitably delivering the end of the fossil fuel era.”

Jess Beagley, GCHA policy lead, said the COP28 final text did not commit to a full, fair and funded fossil fuel phase-out.

“While the COP28 final text clearly signals the impending end of the fossil fuel era, it leaves gaping and dangerous loopholes such as carbon capture and storage, ‘transitional fuels’ like fossil gas, and nuclear power,” she said.

“The inclusion of a health day at COP28 is a remarkable step forward. However, the active decision by world leaders to exclude a rapid and just fossil fuel phase out from the decision text clearly values profit over the health of marginalised people across the globe.”

“Climate change is the greatest injustice of our time across generations. The inclusion of a health day at COP28 is a remarkable step forward.

Speaking also, Giulia Gasparri, co-founder of the Youth Climate and Health Network and project officer at PMNCH, said continuing fossil fuel extraction paves the way for augmenting the health threats and infringements of human rights of those most marginalised.