Nov 30, 2023 at 5:00 AM Update: 2 hours ago
The annual UN climate summit starts on Thursday. This time, representatives of almost two hundred countries are meeting in Dubai to negotiate how to tackle climate change. The future of fossil fuels is becoming an important agenda item in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates.
It is already the 28th time that countries have met at a climate summit, but this is also a special meeting. This is the first time since the conclusion of the Paris Agreement in 2015 that the world is officially taking stock: what is the status of the fight against climate change? In Paris it was agreed that every five years approx global stocktake must happen.
Not that a surprising conclusion is expected. The world set climate records this year, and reports have shown for years that the world is not on track to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Only the greatest optimists still believe that it is possible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
What is more important is what can be agreed on the future climate approach at the so-called COP28 in Dubai. If the world is in such bad shape, what needs to be done to keep ‘Paris’ in sight?
Countries will not have to officially submit new climate plans until two years from now, but the hope is that steps can already be taken. For example, agreements are being made to triple the amount of renewable energy between now and 2030. The question remains how binding such an agreement can become.
The Netherlands, together with a small coalition of ambitious countries, is calling for a complete phase-out of fossil fuels. The EU, represented by the brand new European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, keeps things a little more modest. The EU countries only want to stop using coal, oil and gas if CO2 emissions are not captured and stored.
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Double hat from chairman
The discussion about fossil fuels is taking place in a country that continues to benefit greatly from oil and gas reserves. Climate summit chairman Sultan Al Jaber is not only an industry minister, but also head of the Emirates’ state oil company. This double hat has already led to a lot of criticism in the run-up to the top.
This week there was another revelation BBC across. The British broadcaster wrote that Al Jaber also plans to propose oil and gas deals to at least fifteen countries in discussions at the climate summit. This is stated in leaked documents from the Emirati climate negotiators.
That revelation is in stark contrast to Al Jaber’s promise to gain support ‘from within’ for ambitious climate action from fossil companies and oil states. Al Jaber previously claimed that he was the ideal person to bring about change in the oil and gas world, because he is part of it. The leaked documents rather make you think that as oil CEO he stands for business as usual.
Al Jaber still tries to radiate optimism in the run-up to the summit. In conversation with The Guardian he says that an “unprecedented outcome” is possible, partly because Saudi Arabia would adopt a more constructive attitude in this year’s climate negotiations. In the past, that country has repeatedly blocked plans to turn off the oil and gas tap more quickly.
Jeroen Kraan is a climate reporter
Jeroen writes a lot about (international) climate policy. From December 5 he will report on COP28 from Dubai.
Billions needed for poorer countries
At least as important as tackling CO2 emissions is the financing of climate measures. There has been a lot of dissatisfaction about this for years among developing countries, which do not have sufficient money themselves to switch to clean energy or to adapt to a warmer climate
Rich countries have agreed to provide at least $100 billion a year in climate financing from 2020. This was not achieved on time, but preliminary figures show that the target will be achieved in 2023 probably yes has been achieved. The amount consists of a mix of donations, loans and investments by the business community.
Reports show that much more than that 100 billion is needed, for example, to generate sufficient energy in poorer countries. There are now considerably more solar panels in the Netherlands than in the entire continent of Africa. This can only change if much more money flows in that direction, including from banks and other financial institutions.
In addition to ‘mitigation’ (combating climate change), much more money is also needed for ‘adaptation’ (adapting to climate change). This concerns, for example, the construction of water reservoirs in areas that experience drought, or the strengthening of dikes to prevent flooding.
Establishment of climate damage fund
Moreover, poor countries also want help with compensation for climate damage. Last year it was agreed in Egypt to set up a fund for this purpose. This must make money available after climate disasters such as last year’s floods in Pakistan.
This year, negotiations took place at length about the exact design of such a fund. An agreement was reached at the last minute by a committee of 24 countries. If all countries here in Dubai agree, the World Bank can start setting up the fund.
The EU has already promised a “substantial” contribution, although it is still unclear how this applies to other countries. Depositing money into the fund is not mandatory. European Commissioner Hoekstra will not only want to make a good impression with his own contribution, but also want to put pressure on colleagues to do the same.
COP28: Who’s coming?
Many world leaders are once again attending the climate summit in Dubai. Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte is coming to Dubai with a large team of ministers. Wopke Hoekstra represents the EU as the brand new European Commissioner on the climate dossier.
Koning Charles is also at the summit, after the British government banned him from traveling to Egypt last year. Actually, it would Pope Francis also came, but he canceled due to health problems.
Major absentees are the American president Joe Biden and his Chinese colleague Xi Jinping. The US does send a delegation led by the vice president Kamala Harrisand China is also present with a delegation.
2023-11-30 04:00:47
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