COP28 anger as pledge to ‘phase out’ fossil fuels removed from draft text

We will not go silent to our watery graves – that’s the warning from one of the small island nations most at risk from climate change – after a pledge to “phase out” fossil fuels was removed from the COP28 final agreement.

After intensive lobbying by oil-rich nations – the draft text refers to “reducing” their use instead. Also absent are the words “oil and gas”.  And that’s sparked a growing outcry –  our chief correspondent Alex Thomson in the newsroom.