Diana Kibuuka
Despite the fact that United Arab Emirates (UAE),ranks amongst the major fossil fuel producers and emitters, it’s this year’s Cooperate of Parties host scheduled between November 30 to December 12 December in Dubai.
In 2022, the UAE produced2,954,000 barrels of oil per day making it the world’s seventh-largest oil producer. The country also has the seventh largest oil reserves, with more than 110 billion barrels, including 650 million barrels of new discoveries. An Oil Change International report found that between 2023 and 2025 the UAE will see one of the world’s largest expansions in fossil fuel-related CO2 emissions.
With such reports on theUAE, there’s no doubt that the discussion of phasing out Fossil fuels to check the world’s escalating levels of carbon emissions, during the COP28, will be dealing with an uphill battle.
Ahead of the COP28, several meeting are being held in preparation of the intended COP28 discussions, whose focus is on four areas; Energy, Fix climate finance, Focus on nature, people, lives, and livelihoods; and Full inclusivity.
The Africa Climate Summit clearly brought to light that Africa is pushing for Climate Justice and Climate Finance from the Global South. “The Nairobi Declaration sets out viable sources of resources for viable climate action which runs to the order of trillions or dollars by including a universal tax on fossil fuel trade, emission levies on aviation and maritime transport and a global financial transaction tax. Neither Africa nor the developing world stands in need for charity or handouts…what we need is fairness”. Kenyan President William Ruto.
The G20 summit in NewDelhi that sat between on 9-10 September 2023, under the theme “VasudhaivaKutumbakam” (The whole world is mine),in one of their resolutions the G20 leaders of committed to: Pursue low-GHG/low-carbon emissions, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable development pathways by championing an integrated and inclusive approach. We will urgently accelerate our actions to address development and climate challenges, promote Lifestyles for Sustainable Development,and conserve biodiversity, forests and oceans.
September20th, the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres convened the Climate Action Summit during the UN General Assembly in New York which was also attended by the COP28 UAE Presidency, and much as UAE’s Cabinet Member and the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology ,Sultan AL-Jaber, who also heads Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the world’s 12th-largest producer of oil and gas, is being looked at as a sheep in the wolf skin,he accepts that the world is off track but that countries must act with solidarity to “turn pledges into projects” and “go after the gigatonnes and not each other” – He believes that if governments and the private sector work closely together , climate change challenges can be addressed.
He confirmed that UAE’s COP28 plan for the tripling of renewable energy was gathering momentum with support from the European Union, Kenya, the African Union Commission and the G20. He also called for countries to outline plans to de-carbonize heavy industries,replenish the Green Climate fund (GCF) and make early pledges towards the loss and damage fund.
“It’s unfortunate that politicians refused to acknowledge the fossil fuel elephant in the room, it has defecated on the floor, and we need to clean it up fast. That is why we need a fossil fuel phase-out date at COP28 this December”.Director, Power shift Africa Mohamed Adow.