UAE Seeks Substantial Outcomes from UN Climate Summit, Invites Major Oil Players

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The United Arab Emirates is expecting the forthcoming UN climate conference that it’s set to host to generate substantial impact on international efforts to combat climate change. The high-ranking official has stated that significant results can only be achieved by involving the fossil fuel industry in the discussions.

Previous discussions have faced backlash from environmental activists due to the inclusion of oil and gas lobbyists, asserting that their participation contradicts the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions largely caused by fossil fuels combustion. Recently, numerous US and European legislators proposed replacing the chosen chair of the conference, Sultan al-Jaber, due to his association with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, the state-owned entity.

These developments add complexity to the delicate negotiations preceding the Dubai meeting, known as COP28, which will take place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. Preliminary discussions scheduled to start in Bonn, Germany, next week will test the UAE’s presidency’s capability to steer nearly 200 countries towards a significant agreement.

Majid al-Suwaidi, the summit’s director-general, stated that the UAE leadership aspires to more than just incremental progress at the conference. “We desire a COP that can deliver tangible, substantial, game-changing results, as we all realize we’re not on course to achieve the objectives set out in Paris,” he said.

Eight years ago, governments consented in Paris to restrict global warming to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit), ideally, not more than 1.5C (2.7F). Experts warn that the window to achieve the more ambitious goal is closing rapidly, with global average temperatures already about 1.2C (2.2F) above pre-industrial levels.

Al-Suwaidi insisted that all sectors, including oil and gas, aviation, shipping, and other challenging sectors, should be involved in the discussions. He rejected the notion that the fossil fuel industry would sabotage significant emission cut discussions as they have done in the past through misinformation campaigns and concealing their knowledge about climate change.

He also indicated the readiness of the presidency to discuss phasing out fossil fuels, an idea proposed by countries most at risk from climate change.

While al-Jaber, the designated chair of the summit, has stressed the need to reduce emissions rather than terminate fossil fuel use, it has sparked concerns that he may look for loopholes for unproven carbon-capture technologies and offsets. Experts argue that these distract from the need to stop greenhouse gas emissions.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change earlier this year recommended a nearly two-thirds reduction in carbon emissions by 2035, cautioning that failure would significantly increase risks of droughts, floods, rising sea levels, and other disasters.

Al-Suwaidi noted the UAE’s leadership recognizes the existential threat posed by global warming and is committed to transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy such as wind and solar.

In the upcoming talks in Dubai, the first global assessment of efforts to address climate change since Paris 2015 will be conducted. Results will guide new commitments by nations to reduce emissions and tackle the impacts of global warming.

Al-Suwaidi emphasized the need for developed nations, including the Group of Seven, who have historically contributed to a significant portion of global emissions, to show their commitment. “They possess the technology, knowledge, and financial capacity. We need them to take the lead and demonstrate seriousness about addressing this challenge.”

FAQ about UN Climate Summit COP28

More about UN Climate Summit COP28

• The Official Site of the United Nations Climate Change Conference: https://unfccc.int/
• About the Paris Agreement on the United Nations Climate Change page: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement
• IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Official Website: https://www.ipcc.ch/
• World Meteorological Organization Global Temperature Report: https://public.wmo.int/en/our-mandate/climate/wmo-statement-state-of-global-climate
• Information on the Group of Seven (G7): https://www.g7uk.org/