The upcoming United Nations COP28 climate summit faces significant obstacles and differences, as more than 70 environment ministers and 100 state delegations convened in Abu Dhabi to prepare for the conference, which is set to begin on November 30 in Dubai. The selection of the United Arab Emirates, a petrostate, as the host country has prompted concerns about the country's ability to shepherd the world towards a sustainable, low-carbon future, especially given that 2023 is on course to be the hottest year ever recorded globally, emphasizing the need for action.
Sultan Al Jaber, President of COP28 and CEO of Adnoc, one of the world's major oil producers, recognizes the challenges ahead. He focused on the need to find common ground, reach a consensus, and resolve disagreements. However, his dual job in the oil business has sparked criticism, with climate activist Greta Thunberg calling his selection "completely ridiculous" and questioning the UN climate process's legitimacy.
Al Jaber argues that, given their existing position in the global energy mix, tackling climate change necessitates the involvement of oil and gas in the discussions. He aspires to keep temperature rises to 1.5°C over pre-industrial levels, recognizing the need for considerable carbon cuts, but his oil company's expansion ambitions have cast doubt on his commitment.
Delegates at the meeting also have different ideas about things like getting rid of fossil fuels, creating a "loss and damage" fund for countries that have been affected by climate change, and making renewable energy sources more available. These debates highlight the complexities of finding consensus as COP28 gets underway, with international rivalry, domestic politics, and financial issues all having a part in defining the discussions, in contrast to the optimism of the Paris Agreement's signing eight years ago.
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