COP28 heads for overtime as countries wrangle over fossil fuels

Cop28 Director General Majid Al Suwaidi said on Tuesday the summit’s presidency wanted to include a “historic” mention on the future of fossil fuels in the next draft text for a deal, but it was up to the almost 200 nations to agree at the talks.
Speaking to journalists after the latest text triggered widespread criticism for failing to include language on ending the use of fossil fuels, Al Suwaidi said that draft was always intended to “spark conversations”.
He said the presidency, held by the United Arab Emirates, now knew the countries’ “red lines”, and would draft another text to include “all the elements we need for a comprehensive plan to 2030”.
“At this COP we are trying to do something that has never been done before, something historic … Part of this is to include fossil fuels in the text. If we can, that would be historic,” he said.