The head figure steering the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, Sultan Al Jaber, an oil executive, caused a stir among attendees with his recent statements questioning the necessity of phasing out fossil fuels to combat global warming. Al Jaber, defending his position, emphasized a misunderstanding of his comments and reaffirmed his commitment to climate science.
Amid mounting concern and unease expressed by scientists and advocates about the direction of the talks, Al Jaber unexpectedly called a press conference to vehemently support his stance on climate science. The fate of fossil fuels stands as one of the most contentious topics at the COP28 summit. While some push for their outright elimination, others advocate for a more lenient “phase-down” approach. Scientific evidence indicates that a rapid reduction in fossil fuel usage is imperative to keep global warming below the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold set by the Paris climate agreement.
Al Jaber’s controversial remarks surfaced during the She Changes Climate panel event on November 21, sparking debate and concern. Responding to queries by Mary Robinson, Al Jaber argued that there is no scientific confirmation supporting the necessity of fossil fuel phase-out to achieve the 1.5-degree goal. He underscored his intention for a sensible, grounded conversation and dismissed what he described as alarmist discussions.
While reaffirming his commitment to the 1.5-degree objective, Al Jaber clarified that a gradual phase-down and phase-out of fossil fuels are inevitable but stressed the need for a practical, realistic approach. When pressed on this issue, he urged for a comprehensive roadmap that ensures sustainable socio-economic development, cautioning against regressing to primitive living conditions.
Al Jaber’s presidency of the COP28 summit has faced scrutiny due to his role as the UAE’s climate envoy and his position as the head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Despite criticism, Al Jaber reiterated his unwavering dedication to aligning all actions with scientific findings.
A spokesperson for the COP28 team denounced the recent coverage, dismissing it as an attempt to undermine the presidency’s clear agenda focused on phasedown and eventual elimination of fossil fuels, emphasizing the commitment to keeping the 1.5-degree target achievable.
Fossil fuels remain the primary driver of the escalating climate crisis, with continued use leading to unprecedented global temperature spikes and extreme weather events. A recent report by various scientific institutions, including the UN Environment Programme, revealed that by 2030, fossil fuel production is anticipated to more than double the levels considered safe for limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.
Experts like Ploy Achakulwisut, a climate researcher, stress the necessity of phasing out all fossil fuels, especially if alternative measures such as carbon capture and removal fail to scale. However, opinions on carbon capture as a viable solution remain divided due to its high cost and unproven scalability.
Al Jaber’s controversial statements drew sharp criticism from scientists and climate groups. They questioned his denial of established scientific evidence and expressed concerns about his ability to lead the UN climate talks effectively.
As the COP28 summit approaches its conclusion, it marks the inaugural global stocktake where countries will evaluate their progress on climate action and strategize to steer the world toward averting catastrophic global warming.
