As #COP28 nears its end, Mary Robinson calls on countries to step up with the courageous leadership required to tackle the #ClimateCrisis: “Those at the negotiating table at COP28 are steering the course of our shared future: their success or failure will resonate for generations. I fear COP28 is falling short of what is required to stay within the 1.5°C warming threshold. The science tells us we are in grave danger of bequeathing our children a completely unliveable world. There are countries here with the capacity to ensure the outcome of this summit is historic for the right reasons. They need to lean in now with ambition and urgency. COP28 presents an opportunity for leaders to be on the right side of history. Nations obstructing a liveable future must abandon their subterfuge. The nations thwarting progress are those with the greatest stakes in fossil fuels but also the most plentiful resources to act. Saudi Arabia and allies are holding talks hostage. However it is not the only country hindering progress: the USA, China, the EU and India have been happy to hide in the shadows cast. There is still time for these countries to step up with the courageous leadership required to tackle this existential threat. Governments must not leave this summit without an agreement to phase out all fossil fuels and this agreement must not be at the expense of other critical workstreams here. COP28 will leave a legacy that those here in Dubai will be remembered for: I call on all Parties and the COP Presidency to make sure it is the right one.”