Caspian Energy (CE): How do you assess the results of COP28 that was hosted in Dubai? Does a man have enough academic knowledge to manage the climate on the planet? What do Austrian scientists and power engineers think about this?

Leonore Gewessler, Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology:  The outcome of COP 28 marks an important next step in global climate action. In a difficult geopolitical context, countries were able to conclude the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement with strong forward-looking messages. This includes phasing out of fossil fuels, tripling renewables and doubling energy efficiency globally by 2030, with a view to achieving net-zero by 2050. We will need to follow up on all of these elements to keep 1.5 C within reach, but they mark a critical step forward for global climate action.

Many studies and model-based scenarios do make clear: It is technically possible to phase-out fossil fuel use over the next decades. Renewable energy sources and technologies are available and can cover our future energy needs. The more we move forward on energy efficiency, the easier this can be done.

Read the full interview of the Austrian Federal Minister in the upcoming issue of the Caspian Energy journal.