The president of COP28 had consistently stressed his intention to supercharge climate action. Even as it signals progress, the UAE Consensus hass loopholes that allow oil and gas exporters the space to continue operations, observers said. Countries agreed that "transitional fuels," a euphemism for gas, "can play a role in facilitating the energy transition while ensuring energy security." This free pass for the expansion of gas production is a particular blow, given that the associated methane leakage could make gas "even worse" than coal, an expert said.