COP28 President Challenges Scientific Consensus, Sparks Global Debate on Fossil Fuel Phase-Out
By Adeyemi Adekunle
Sultan Al Jaber, president of Cop28 and CEO of the United Arab Emirates’ state oil company, Adnoc, has dismissed the scientific consensus on the necessity of phasing out fossil fuels to curb global heating. Al Jaber’s remarks, made during a heated exchange with climate change experts, have ignited a fierce debate on the future of climate action and the role of fossil fuels in sustainable development.
The controversial comments were delivered in response to probing questions from Mary Robinson, chair of the Elders group and former UN special envoy for climate change, during a live online event on November 21st first reported by The Guardian. Al Jaber’s dual roles as Cop28 president and head of Adnoc, a major player in the oil industry, have raised concerns about conflicts of interest and their potential impact on the summit’s outcomes.
Robinson, emphasizing the urgency of the situation, pointed out the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. She highlighted the crucial decision facing Cop28: the commitment to a phased transition away from fossil fuels, a move endorsed by over 100 nations, or a more ambiguous “phase-down” approach.
Al Jaber vehemently rejected the notion of an alarmist approach, insisting that there is no scientific evidence supporting a direct link between fossil fuel phase-out and limiting global warming to 1.5°C. His refusal to align with established climate science contradicts the position of UN Secretary General António Guterres, who emphasized the imperative of a complete fossil fuel phase-out to achieve the 1.5°C target.
Climate experts, including Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics, condemned Al Jaber’s statements as verging on climate denial. The call for a roadmap to a 1.5°C future, according to Al Jaber, remains unanswered, as he challenges critics to provide a solution that allows for sustainable socioeconomic development without reverting to a primitive existence.
Guterres, addressing Cop28 delegates, reiterated the clear scientific consensus that achieving the 1.5°C limit necessitates a complete and timely phase-out of fossil fuels. Alarming as this clash is, it reflects a broader struggle within Cop28, where more than 100 countries grapple with the wording of the final agreement and the critical decision between a phased reduction and complete elimination of fossil fuels.
The intersection of Al Jaber’s roles as a fossil fuel executive and a renewable energy advocate further complicates the narrative. Controversial revelations prior to the summit suggested that the UAE had planned to leverage climate meetings for oil and gas deals, adding another layer of scrutiny to Al Jaber’s leadership.
The Cop28 spokesperson defended the president’s stance, citing International Energy Agency (IEA) and IPCC scenarios that acknowledge a continued but reduced role for fossil fuels in the future energy landscape. However, critics argue that this position undermines the urgency of a full fossil fuel phase-out, particularly in light of Adnoc’s ambitious net-zero-busting expansion plans.
The debate at Cop28 is also entangled in the complexities of defining terms such as “phase-out” and “phase-down” and the uncertainty surrounding emission abatement technologies like carbon capture and storage. Experts warn that vague commitments relying on unproven technologies may jeopardize the achievement of the Paris Agreement targets.
As the summit unfolds, Al Jaber’s assertions, along with revelations of environmental negligence by Adnoc, intensify the pressure on him to secure a robust Cop28 agreement. Reports of routine flaring in UAE oil and gas fields and Adnoc’s ability to access Cop28 office emails have further fueled skepticism about the sincerity of the UAE’s commitment to climate action.
Harjeet Singh, at Climate Action Network, emphasizes the need for Cop28 to deliver a decisive and equitable decision on fossil fuel phase-out, urging against loopholes that could allow the industry to persist in exacerbating the climate crisis.
Amidst this high-stakes drama in Dubai, the world watches as Cop28 unfolds, with the fate of global climate action hanging in the balance.
A Nigerian trained investigative journalist, who cover various news beats in Nigeria.
