Canada’s environment minister is lauding what he describes as the “monumental” outcome of the United Nations climate summit.

Minister Steven Guilbeault says Canada played a leading role in securing the deal agreed to on Wednesday to close out COP28 in Dubai.

This is the first time the summit of almost 200 countries has collectively agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems.

The agreement’s language is stronger than a draft pitched earlier in the week, although many cautioned that it was undermined by loopholes.

Senior campaigns director with environmental group Stand.earth, Liz McDowell, says the deal is weakened by “dangerous distractions,” such as leaving the door open to so-called transitional fuels, and failing to commit wealthy countries to bankroll the energy transition.

The federal government made a number of announcements during the two-week summit, unveiling its emissions cap for the oil and gas industry and draft regulations to significantly cut methane emissions from the sector.