Isar nuclear power plant in Essenbach, Germany (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Addressing the 4th working day of COP28, Guterres urged detailed plans to gradually phase out fossil fuels over a period of time compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, one of the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement.

He said the commitment to eliminate methane by 2030 is a step in the right direction. But these pledges fall far short of what is needed.

The December 2 session of COP28 ended with 50 oil and gas companies agreeing to achieve nearly zero methane emissions and end regular emissions by 2030. Companies pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.