COP28 in UAE: On Day 3, 117 countries agree to triple renewable energy, to push out fossil fuels

Around 117 governments pledged to triple the world's renewable energy capacity by 2030 at the COP28 climate summit on Saturday, as a route to cut the share of fossil fuels in the world's energy production.

The pledge was among a slew of COP28 announcements on Saturday aimed at decarbonizing the energy sector, that included expanding nuclear power, cutting methane emissions, and choking off private finance for coal power.

UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched the landmark Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC) during Saturday’s events. "This can and will help transition the world away from unabated coal," said Sultan al-Jaber, the United Arab Emirates' COP28 summit President.

On Saturday the COP28 venue - Expo City Dubai - will host the official celebration ceremony for the 52nd Union Day of the UAE. Public can view via live streaming on local TV channels and social media accounts.

More than 20 nations also signed a declaration on Saturday aiming to triple nuclear power capacity by 2050, with U.S. climate envoy John Kerry saying the world cannot achieve "net zero" emissions without building new reactors.

At the Energy segment of the World Climate Action Summit at COP28, US Vice President Kamal Harris said, “Today, I am proud to announce that the United States is launching a new partnership to help build clean energy supply chains around the globe. We are also announcing $568 million in concessional lending as part of this partnership to help drive investment in clean energy manufacturing."

Among others who took pledges against coal, the most CO2-emitting fossil fuel, was France. France said it would rally a group of nations to ask the OECD to measure the climate and financial risks attached to investing in new coal assets, to deter private financiers from backing projects.

The World Bank on Saturday launched an 18-month blueprint for methane reduction that will set up 15 national programs aimed at cutting methane emissions from activities like rice production, livestock operations, and waste management.

The event is set to end on December 12, and public can participate and enter the Green Zone starting from December 3.

Delegates attend COP-28 at Expo City Dubai on the third day.

Delegates attend COP-28 at Expo City Dubai on the third day.

Delegates attend COP-28 at Expo City Dubai on the third day.