DUBAI: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday stressed upon the world leaders at the COP28 climate summit to plan for a future without fossil fuels, saying there was no other way to curb global warming.
A day earlier, COP28 president Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber proposed implementing the continued usage of fossil fuels. In response the UN Chief said, “We cannot save a burning planet with a fire hose of fossil fuels.”
Guterres further said that the alarmin 1.5-degree limit would be only possible if all and sundry ultimately stop burning all fossil fuels. Not just to reduce or abate,” but to stop, he said, referring to embryonic technologies to capture and store carbon emissions.
The competing visions summed up the most troublesome issue facing the world leaders at this year’s UN climate summit in the oil-producing United Arab Emirates.
"In 2050, our grandchildren won't be asking what we said, they will be living with the consequences of what we did or didn't do.
So if we act together to safeguard our precious planet, the welfare of all our people will surely follow."
– His Majesty King Charles III… pic.twitter.com/IewOageYtK
— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) December 1, 2023
King Charles III of the Britain urged the world leaders to make progress in the global climate agenda.
“Scientists have been warning for so long, we are seeing alarming tipping points being reached,” he said.
The king, who spent most of his adult life campaigning on the environment said, “Unless we rapidly repair and restore nature’s economy, based on harmony and balance, which is our ultimate sustainer, our own economy and survivability would be endangered.
However, the views from Charles, whose role as Britain’s head of state is largely ceremonial, looked to be at odds with his government.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was expected at the mega summit on Friday to announce 1.6 billion pounds ($2.02 billion) in financing on climate, has rolled back a number of domestic measures set by the previous governments to help the country meet its 2050 net-zero targets.
Issue of Fossils Fuels
A former Marshall Islands president, whose country faces inundation from climate-driven sea level rise, resigned from the main COP28 advisory board on Friday to register his protest to the UAE’s support of continued use of fossil fuels.
Hilda Heine said in her resignation letter that she was “deeply disappointed” that the UAE had reportedly used its COP28 role to broker oil and gas deals. The UAE, however denied the accusations.
Meanwhile, the UAE’s COP28 presidency said it was “extremely disappointed” by Heine’s resignation.
“We have been completely clear, open, and honest throughout this process, and it is a shame to see unconfirmed reporting affect our team and weaken the world’s best chance to keep 1.5 within reach,” the statement said.
Scientists say that a global temperature rise beyond this threshold would unleash catastrophic, devastating and irreversible impacts across the globe.
The UN on Friday published its first draft for what could serve as a template for a final agreement from the COP28 summit, which ends Dec. 12.
One of the options involves including vows to phase down or phase out the usage of fossil fuels, to quit coal energy and to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Also, on the table for discussion includes either to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, which totaled some $7 trillion last year, or to include provisions for carbon capture and removal technology.
Last day, UAE’s Jaber pleaded countries to work together with oil companies to reach common ground and goals. The summit also clinched an early victory by adopting a new fund to help poor countries cope with climate disasters.
"Make this COP count.
Make this COP a game-changer.
Make this COP the new hope in the future of humankind."– UN Secretary-General António Guterres @antonioguterres pic.twitter.com/C2fWTN3qer
— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) December 1, 2023
