TRANSCRIPT
A draft of a potential climate deal at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai has suggested a range of options countries could take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
But it hasn't been received with open arms by many nations, after it omitted the phase out of fossil fuels many countries have demanded.
The language which will be used in the final agreeement to describe the future of fossil fuels has been fiercely debated throughout the gathering.
Some nations, like Australia, the United States and the U-K want a full phase out of fossil fuels... but others like China, Russia and Saudi Arabia, oppose that idea.
European Union Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra [[wop-kuh hohk-strah]] says as it stands, European countries won't be signing the agreement.
"I cannot hide the fact from you that the text, as it now stands, is disappointing. There is a great majority of countries who actually want and demand more in terms of phasing out and in terms of what is in the text. And in terms of getting rid of coal. And in terms of making this decade, the decade in which we show the most urgency. And it is up to us to make sure that these voices are being heard and that this is solved in the next day or the next days or all however long it's going to take."
The draft deal lists eight options countries could use to cut emissions, including by reducing both consumption and production of fossil fuel to achieve net zero by, before, or around 2050.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres says a central benchmark of success will be whether there's a deal to phase out coal, oil and gas use fast enough to avert disastrous climate change.
The current deal proposed has also been rejected by climate campaigners, who say it's a major step backwards from previous proposals.
Some representatives of small island states have also reiterated that message, rejecting the current draft deal.
Samoa's Natural Resources Minister, Toeolesulusulu [[to-eh-o-leh-soo-loo-soo-loo]]Cedric Schuster says he feels like the small islands are not being heard.
"We will not sign our death certificates. We cannot sign on to text that does not have strong commitments on phasing out fossil fuels. As SIDS (Small Island Developing States), we feel our voices are not being heard. While it appears that several other parties have enjoyed preferential treatment, compromising the transparency and inclusivity of the process. How can you not understand? It is our very survival that is at stake."
COP28 President Sultan Al-Jaber has encouraged climate representatives to show more flexibility in order to come to an agreement.
"The time for discussion is coming to an end, and there is no time for hesitation. We can send a signal to the world that multilateralism does actually work. That this process can respond to what the science is telling us. We have made progress, but we still have a lot to do. You know what remains to be agreed and you know that I want you to deliver the highest ambition on all items, including on fossil fuel language."
But although a finalised agreement appears to be lagging, one decision which hung in the balance has been made.
The summit has approved a proposal to hold the next annual event in the central Asian republic of Azerbaijan.
The country won support of other Eastern European nations after months of deadlock and after reaching an agreement with neighbour Armenia that it would not veto the move.
Azerbaijan's Ecology Minister, Mukhtar Babayev, says the opportunity to host the next gathering is deeply humbling.
"The challenges we face, demand collective action and dedication to the commonly agreed objectives and aspirations. Azerbaijan understands the critical importance of collaborative efforts to combat climate change. We extend our deep appreciation to the countries of the Eastern European group, for their decision to endorse Azerbaijan as a host country for COP29. The valuable support for the countries in the group, once again reflects the shared commitment to unifying our efforts to fight climate change and building a better future for all."
And with only one official day to go until the end of COP28, discussions are expected to be high-stress as delegates try to come to an agreement on fossil fuel language.
But despite the schedule, the summit can continue if a deal is not finalised.
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