The COP28 climate talks have been marked by controversy as nations grapple with the decision to move away from fossil fuels. Empty pavilions, once showcasing carbon-free shipping and nuclear fusion energy, now stand empty as attendees race to board their flights. Even nations grappling with climate change have vacated their posts, leaving behind dimly lit rooms.
The pomp and circumstance of the summit's opening have given way to grueling sessions aimed at addressing the thorny issue of fossil fuels, potentially leading to the most ambitious COP outcome in years.
Discussions at the summit continue to revolve around remarks made by COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber, who, during a late-November panel discussion, questioned the scientific basis for phasing out fossil fuels from transportation. His stance has cast a long shadow over the negotiations, prompting widespread backlash.
In response, UN Climate Change Envoy Simon Steyer and U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry, while acknowledging the need to address Al Jaber's comments, have chosen to focus on pressing negotiations instead of engaging with the underlying controversy.
Climate scientists are shocked by the observable climate impacts surpassing their predictions. The year 2023 is shaping up to be the warmest year on record, with the average global temperature projected to be approximately 1.4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels – just below the Paris Agreement's limit.
Concerns about Al Jaber's remarks have started to surface, with climate activists questioning the COP president's commitment to scientific evidence. "During the COP, there was a conflict of interest. It's frustrating that the science is so clear, and the COP president isn't adhering to it," said Isabel Rutkowski from Germany, a member of the European Youth Forum.
Countries remain deeply divided over the issue of fossil fuels. The latest draft of the summit's central agreement presents several options: one demanding a departure from fossil fuels, another leaving the door open to continued environmental pollution, and a third option ignoring fossil fuels altogether.
Despite condemnation, some countries continue to resist the call for a fossil fuel phase-out. The U.S., China, and Saudi Arabia have sought to significantly revise the draft before its publication. A Philippine delegate from the Group of 77, a coalition of developing countries, criticized the U.S.'s heavy-handed influence on the agreement.
Ironically, the controversy surrounding Al Jaber's comments could prove beneficial. The intense scrutiny on fossil fuel industries and the transition to renewables may bring further attention to the pressing need for action, according to climate diplomacy advisor Tom Evans.
However, multiple countries are actively working against the phase-out of fossil fuels. The UAE is not solely responsible, Evan warned, but rather, the pressure for progress is driving constructive discussion.
(Enrichment Insights: The controversy surrounding COP28 and Sultan Al Jaber's comments on fossil fuels involves several key points. Al Jaber's stance on Scope 3 emissions and the importance of holding both producers and consumers responsible divided Western countries that import fossil fuels. Despite the controversial remarks, significant financial pledges were made during the summit. Climate change activists have raised concerns about the impact of Al Jaber's comments on the negotiations and urged a balanced and inclusive approach to energy transition.)
