We’ve reached a climate tipping point, but leaders seem unlikely to act

Nearly two years ago, at the COP28 climate summit in the heart of the petro-state of the United Arab Emirates, governments pledged to begin “moving away from fossil fuels in energy systems” with the aim of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Since then, the share of energy generated by fossil fuels globally has remained stubbornly above 80%, as is in fact, this has been the case for decades.

Because of our failure to decarbonize, researchers now believe we triggered the first of Earth’s “tipping points”: moments when we changed the climate so fundamentally that it can never fully recover. Ocean water is now so warm that the world’s coral reefs are at risk of significant dieback (see page 9).

What is slowing down the energy transition? There is no easy answer to this question, but an oft-repeated question is that only a handful of companies, mostly fossil fuel companies, are responsible for the vast majority of emissions. Such statements are open to criticism because they place the blame elsewhere, far from us, the customers, who use their energy.

However, it is fair to point the finger at oil and gas companies who tout their green ambitions but fail to implement them. Many of these companies tout their investments in renewable energy, but the reality is that they have made almost no contribution to what we must insist is the future of energy production (see page 16).

Unfortunately, things seem likely to get worse before they get better. Encouraged by the Trump administration, many oil and gas companies have pledged to increase production, while big players in other sectors, such as the technology sector, are downplaying their promises to reach net zero.

Next month, governments will meet again to discuss climate policy, this time at COP30 in Brazil – sort of. The United States is unlikely to be present in force, while British Prime Minister Kier Starmer has yet to confirm his presence. At this point, it is reasonable to ask whether any of our political or economic leaders take the threat of climate change seriously. If so, they need to start acting accordingly.