Glasgow Agreement Signed: Most Doubts Around Coal, Oil, and Gas

(Patria) - The UN climate conference in Glasgow concluded tonight with a global agreement aiming to at least keep alive hopes that global warming can be kept at 1.5 degrees Celsius and thus save the world from the catastrophic consequences of climate change.

Negotiations lasted longer than planned as negotiators from nearly 200 countries tried to reach an agreement on combating climate change.

British representative, President of the climate negotiations in Glasgow, Alok Sharma, says everyone had the opportunity to voice their opinion.

"This is a package that really moves things forward," Sharma believes.

The gradual phasing out of coal and the call for more ambitious carbon reduction measures next year remained in the text of the agreement. Given the numerous disagreements between countries, the final version of the agreement was changed in the final moments, with changes primarily concerning the use of coal.

The need for rich countries to increase financial aid to poorer countries suffering the consequences of climate change, above the current target of $100 billion, was emphasized.

However, representatives of developing countries are dissatisfied because no money is allocated for the damage already caused by climate change.

During the summit, the US and China pledged to increase cooperation in the field of climate in the coming decade.

More than 100 countries agreed on a plan to reduce current methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030, while 100 countries pledged to stop deforestation by that deadline.

A group of about 450 financial organizations agreed to support "clean" technologies such as renewable energy, and to shift financing away from the fossil fuel combustion industry.

The world is warming due to emissions from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas.

Extreme weather events related to climate change, including heatwaves, floods, and wildfires, are intensifying.

The last decade was the warmest in history, and governments agree that urgent collective action is needed.