COP28: Language matters but actions speak louder than words

Professor Chris Hilson, Director of the Centre for Climate and Justice at the University of Reading, comments on the climate deal agreed at COP28. 

He said: "Language matters. So a transition away from fossil fuels is not a phasing out. But actions speak louder than words. What is really important now is that governments around the world take immediate policy action to implement a transition away from coal, oil and gas. That involves practical things like ruling out new fossil fuel developments, redirecting fossil fuel subsidies to renewables, improving EV infrastructure, insulating homes and much else besides. To paraphrase Marx, the point is not only to talk about the world but to change it."

Dr Harley Pope, Interdisciplinary Research Fellow, Walker Institute, said: "Following the contentious negotiation processes only a day ago, it was uncertain whether there would be a deal on anything. Concerns raised within the Research and International Non-Government Organisations (RINGO) community include how some parties have challenged the outcomes of the Global Stocktake and the need to keep warming below 1.5 degrees. We also see the concerns of environmental and climate justice not adequately reflected within the texts. Although progress has been made, the texts allow for multiple interpretations that are not consistent with keeping under 1.5 degrees of warming."