COP28: India to adopt wait-and-watch approach on proposal to phase-out fossil fuels

More than 50 per cent of India’s electricity generation comes from coal-fired power plants, and India has maintained that coal will continue to remain the mainstay of India’s electricity sector for some more years to come.

India’s proposal at Sharm el-Shaikh, asking for a phase-down of all fossil fuels, not just coal, had received loud cheers from the activist and scientific communities and had garnered the support of many countries, including the United States and the European Union, who overcame their initial hesitation to back it. However, it was finally not agreed upon, apparently because of objections from some other countries like China. A statement from the BASIC group of countries (Brazil, India, China and South Africa) had remained silent on the proposal.

Having seen that proposal fall, India is adopting a wait-and-watch approach this time. The proposal is likely to be introduced in the negotiations by other countries, however. India’s limited interest this year is to ensure that any such proposal must be based on equity. In other words, it must call upon the developed countries to take the lead in phasing down fossil fuel use.

Phase-down of fossil fuels is likely to trigger intense discussions at COP28. A mention of the reduction of fossil fuel usage has never been made in any of the earlier COP decisions.