"Challenges Threaten Global Agreement on Fossil Fuel Phase-Out"

The global deal to phase out fossil fuels is facing challenges as major polluters and the oil-rich host country, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), express reluctance to fully commit. The debate at the UN climate talks revolves around whether to phase out or phase down fossil fuels, and whether the language used will have practical implications. The European Union and vulnerable countries are pushing for a phaseout, while the UAE warns that it may be diplomatically impractical. Other countries, including China and the US, question the need for a complete phaseout and emphasize the importance of addressing emissions through alternative means. The discussions highlight the difficulty in reaching a consensus on aggressive fossil fuel elimination, leading to the formation of coalitions with specific aims outside of the COP process.