Almost 200 countries have approved a call to transition away from fossil fuels at the COP 28 summit in Dubai.

The COP28 presidency held a plenary session at 10:00 am local time with hopes that the text would be approved by nearly 200 nations.  The Emirati leadership at the event banged a gavel shortly after, signalling the consensus following 13 days of talks.

"You did step up, you showed flexibility, you put common interest ahead of self-interest," said COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber, head of the United Arab Emirates' national oil company.

"The world needed to find a new way. And by following our North Star, we have found that new path," he added.

The occasion marks the first mention of all fossil fuels in 28 years of climate summits.

After two weeks of negotiations at COP28, The UAE Consensus keeps our North Star of limiting global warming below 1.5°C within reach.#COP28 #UAEConsensus #UniteActDeliver pic.twitter.com/DATMUdxdHj

— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) December 13, 2023

The text calls for a “transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science”.

While the document does not mention the “phase-out” terminology demanded by Western countries and island nations vulnerable to rising sea levels, the language is nonetheless stronger than the previously rejected draft.

Green Party Leader and Climate minister Eamon Ryan welcomed the deal on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.

“Yes, it’s not perfect… But had we not gotten agreement had we not delivered this package together, then that would have been an critically sad and difficult day for the world. But it didn’t,” he said.

“It’s not that this one COP was going to change everything. But it sets a clear direction and sends a clear message – particularly to the financial markets – that they have to be part of this change.”