The president of Cop28, Sultan Al Jaber, has declared that there is “no science” supporting the necessity of phasing out fossil fuels to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This controversial statement, made during an online event with Mary Robinson, has drawn criticism from scientists and environmental advocates.
Al Jaber, who also serves as the chief executive of the United Arab Emirates’ state oil company, Adnoc, asserted that a fossil fuel phase-out would hinder sustainable development, stating, “unless you want to take the world back into caves.” This perspective contradicts the stance of UN Secretary-General António Guterres and has been deemed “incredibly concerning” and “verging on climate denial” by experts.
During the exchange, Robinson challenged Al Jaber on Adnoc’s reported investments in future fossil fuel development. Al Jaber dismissed the claims as biased, defending his role and emphasizing the need for a pragmatic approach to the energy transition.
The debate over a fossil fuel phase-out is a critical point of contention at Cop28, with over 100 countries already supporting the initiative. The final agreement’s language, whether it calls for a phase-out or uses softer terms like “phase-down,” is anticipated to be a key determinant of the summit’s success.
Critics argue that rapid cuts in fossil fuel emissions are imperative to curbing climate impacts. UN Secretary-General Guterres reiterated that achieving the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit requires the ultimate cessation of burning all fossil fuels, not just reductions.
Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics, characterized the exchange as “extraordinary, revealing, worrying, and belligerent,” while Prof Sir David King, chair of the Climate Crisis Advisory Group, expressed concern over Al Jaber’s defense of fossil fuels.
Dr. Friederike Otto of Imperial College London rejected Al Jaber’s claim that fossil fuels are necessary for socioeconomic development, citing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s latest report, which highlights the need for a transition to a fossil-free world.
In response to the controversy, a spokesperson for Cop28 emphasized the role of fossil fuels in the future energy system, albeit a smaller one, and highlighted the Cop presidency’s achievements in climate initiatives. Al Jaber’s dual role as head of Adnoc and president of Cop28 has previously sparked controversy, with leaked documents revealing the UAE’s plans to promote oil and gas deals during climate meetings.
As the debate over fossil fuel phase-out intensifies at Cop28, environmental advocates emphasize the need for a just and equitable transition without loopholes that allow the industry to exacerbate the climate crisis. The pressure on Al Jaber to deliver a robust Cop28 deal is heightened amidst negative revelations about Adnoc’s practices.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
