The Independent's Climate Newsletter
Activists accompanied by Pikachus participate in a protest against fossil fuels at Cop28 in Dubai on December 4, 2023 (Credit: REUTERS/Thaier Al Sudani) | |
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Welcome to a special newsletter from The Independent, bringing you the latest on everything from Cop28 in Dubai. You are receiving this email because you are signed up to our Climate newsletter.
The week has opened with spillover from Cop28's latest controversy. On Sunday, comments made by Sultan Ahmed al Jaber, the United Arab Emirate's designated leader of the Dubai summit, resurfaced after he claimed there is "no science" behind demands to phase-out fossil fuels in order to limit global temperature rise to the somewhat safe 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The remarks rippled through the climate conference and were met with outrage by climate scientists and activists.
Soon after his comments were made public, a United Nations report stated there is enough scientific evidence to conclude that a fossil fuel phase-out is "non-negotiable" if the planet is to rein in the climate crisis.
"The recent comments from Cop28 president show how entrenched he is in fossil fuel fantasy and is clearly determined that this Cop doesn't do anything to harm the interests of the oil and gas industry," said Mohamed Adow, Director of Power Shift Africa.
Today, the Cop28 president addressed the criticism at the top of his daily press conference, insisting that he and the UAE "very much respects science," as he sought to quell the backlash.
"We've been very upfront about it and we said clearly and repeatedly that the UAE takes this task [of heading UN climate talks] with humility, and responsibility," he said.
"We fully understand the urgency behind this matter. I have always been very clear on the fact that we are making sure that everything we do is centred around the science. We did not in any way, underestimate or undermine the task at hand."
Jaber called both the phase-down and the phase-out of fossil fuels "essential", adding that his previous statement was taken "out of context".
Cansin Leylim Ilgaz, associate director of global campaign for climate advocacy group 350.org, told The Independent Jaber's latest comments were "a huge relief".
"For too long these UN climate conferences have failed to address the main cause of the climate crisis, which have been scientifically proven over and over again to be fossil fuels... Cop28 needs to take its next leap and must recognise that a mere 'phase down' of fossil fuels is no longer sufficient," she said.
Jaber's appointment has been controversial from the start, with the sultan coming under scrutiny after the BBC revealed the UAE planned to use its role as Cop28 host to strike oil and gas deals. A UAE Cop28 spokesperson denied this was the case.
Entirely phasing out fossil fuels is a key demand from this summit as greenhouse gas emissions are still rising, and the world is on track for a 3C temperature rise this century, double the 1.5C limit.
In other news on Monday:
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- Canada followed the United States by issuing fresh rules to slash methane emissions - a potent greenhouse gas - from its vast oil and gas infrastructure
- The UAE signed a deal with Bill Gates' nuclear company on advanced reactors to expand its capacity
- More pledges were made for the "Green Climate Fund" - aimed at helping developing countries adapt - taking the total to $12.8bn
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In many of the governments that are represented here at Cop, there are no women. |
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The money pledged at Cop28 so far for the newly-created loss and damage fund to help vulnerable nations who have suffered irrevocable climate losses |
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