The commitment was made after days of heated and widespread wrangling at the COP28 conference in Dubai.
It marked the first time there has been explicit mention in a COP agreement of reducing the use of coal, oil and gas – the main drivers of climate change.
Joab Okanda, Christian Aid’s senior climate adviser, said: “It is clear that the era of fossil fuels is coming to a close. We may not have driven the nail into the coffin here at COP28 but the end is coming for dirty energy.
“But there is a gaping hole on finance to actually fund the transition from dirty to clean energy in developing countries.
“We now need to see rich countries following up their warm words about wanting a fossil fuel phase out with actions to actually bring it about and end their use of coal, oil and gas by the end of this decade.”
Climate minister Graham Stuart said the UK played a key role in the proceedings.
Mr Stuart said: “The UK has, as ever in this space, been absolutely central to the outcomes and the most notable outcome of all, which is this global stocktake text.”
The deal struck in Dubai stops short of calling for a complete phase-out of fossil fuels, which some countries wanted.
Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber, president of COP28, addressed the conference yesterday and was seen applauding as the conclusion was reached.
Sultan Al-Jaber and COP28 chief executive Adnan Amin were also seen embracing as dignitaries celebrated the deal.
