{
  "id": 12212080,
  "title": "The Fossil Fuel Turning Point",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/the-fossil-fuel-turning-point",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-05T18:45:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Time",
    "slug": "time",
    "url": "https://time.com/article/2026/10/05/the-fossil-fuel-turning-point/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2026, the world is confronted with the urgency of transitioning away from fossil fuels to combat climate change. After decades of debate, 195 countries at COP28 in Dubai agreed to do so. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the UN Environment Programme have warned of the consequences of inaction, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent and intense.\n\nThe past year has brought significant progress in the transition away from fossil fuels. At COP30, a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels by 2050 was announced, examining the barriers, finance, policies, and different pathways available to countries. A new multilateralism is emerging, with a focus on implementation while still recognizing the different starting points of countries.\n\nSeveral countries have already taken steps towards this transition. Germany, as of April 2026, published a national roadmap to phase out oil, coal, and gas by 2045. Spain and Brazil have shown the benefits of reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Spain, with renewables providing nearly 60% of its electricity, saw a 20% reduction in benchmark wholesale electricity prices compared to other European countries. Brazil, with the largest proportion of renewables in the G20, saw less severe impacts on fuel prices due to the option of sustainable ethanol.\n\nRenewables have become the world's leading source of electricity, with a recent report confirming that they overtook coal in 2025. This shift is not only good for the environment but also presents economic opportunities. Countries that invest in renewable energy and the necessary infrastructure can attract industries and investment, creating jobs and strengthening competitiveness.\n\nHowever, the challenge ahead is significant. To meet the global imperative, we must double the amount of renewable power currently deployed in the next four years. This includes accelerating the electrification of energy, transport, and industry to strengthen energy security, improve efficiency, and boost competitiveness. The incoming COP31 Presidency has proposed increasing electricity's share of global energy use to 35% by 2035. The focus now is on turning this momentum into improvements people can see, such as electric buses, cleaner heat for homes and factories, and reliable electricity for communities still without it.",
  "summary": "\"It is crystal clear to us that fossil fuel dependence is a liability, threatening energy security and economic development across the planet,\" write André Corrêa do Lago and Bruce Douglas.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}