Businesses including Unilever and Nestlé are calling for the Cop28 president and global leaders to phase out fossil fuels and align policies with the 1.5C Paris Agreement.
The letter – organised by The B Team and has over 800 signatures – comes as the second week of the UN summit begins.
“It’s up to us to seize this opportunity – because what is achieved here in Dubai must mark a legacy moment which determines the fate of our future generations,” the letter wrote.
“We – CEOs, mayors, governors, investors, Indigenous peoples, health professionals, young people, faith leaders, scientists, athletes and more – stand in courage and resolve with the Cop28 president and all Parties in bringing us together behind a rapid response plan to the Global Stocktake.”
Subscribe to Sustainability Beat for free
Sign up here to get the latest sustainability news sent straight to your inbox everyday
The letter calls for an “orderly” phase out of all fossil fuels in a “just and equitable way” and to triple global renewable energy by 2030 from 2022 levels.
Additionally, it urges for an environment to scale up and shift public and private finance “with developed countries taking the lead in action and support”.
It also calls for the “halt and reversal of deforestation and land degradation as well as biodiversity and other ecosystem loss by 2030” to ensure “resilient food systems and deliver a strong global goal on adaptation”.
“These outcomes must be supported by the implementation and ratcheting of Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans well before Cop30 in 2025 which align with 1.5C and incorporate multi-stakeholder efforts within them.
“Later is too late,” it concluded.
The letter follows over 125 businesses including Ikea, BT Group and Nestlé calling on the government to push for an end to the burning of fossil fuels at Cop28.
