He president of COP28, Sultan al Jaber, has stated that there are no scientific studies that show that it is necessary to end the use of fossil fuels to limit global warming. He has argued that if we did, we would return “to the caves.”

“Please help me. Show me a timetable for ending fossil fuels that allows us a socioeconomic growth sustainable, unless you want the world to return to the caves,” said Al Yaber during an event held on November 21 in which he discussed with the president of the group of ‘The Elders’ (The Elders), Mary Robinson, a organization that brings together experts in climate change.

More than a hundred countries have expressed their support for the phasing out of fuels of fossil origin coinciding with the celebration of COP28 chaired by Al Yaber, who is also the executive president of the United Arab Emirates oil company, Adnoc, for which it has been criticized for conflict of interest.

Robinson warned during the event that “the crisis harms women and children the most“and defended the need for a commitment to the gradual elimination of fossil fuels. “It is a decision that COP28 can make and you, as president of Adnoc, could take it with more credibility,” he said, according to the British newspaper ‘The Guardian’.

Al Jaber responded that he was not willing to enter into a “alarmist debate“There is no science, there is no scenario that says that the gradual elimination of fossil fuels will achieve 1.5 degrees Celsius,” he argued.

Robinson responded that Adnoc “is investing in many more fossil fuels for the future”, to which Al Yaber argued that “you only read your own biased and wrong media.” “I tell you that I am the man in charge“he added.

“I don’t think you can help solve the climate problem pointing fingers or polarizing and dividing. Show me solutions. Stop pointing fingers. “Leave it,” he added.

A spokesperson for COP28 has argued that all proposals contemplate fossil fuels “being in the future energy system, although with a lesser presence.” “The president of the COP is citing science and the main climate experts” he stressed. The spokesperson attributed this information to “a continued attempt to undermine the palpable achievements of the COP Presidency, a false presentation of our position and the successes we have achieved.”

Criticism of a “worrying” stance

From different organizations involved, they have criticized Al Yaber’s words for their “worrying” and “belligerent” stance that goes against the agreed positions. “It is a revealing, worrying and belligerent conversation,” said Climate Analytics CEO Bill Hare. “The ‘return to the caves’ language is what the fossil fuel industry has long used. Borders denialism of climate change,” he added.

The chair of the Climate Crisis Advisory Group, Sir David King, has described “incredibly worrying and surprising“that the president of COP28 “defends the use of fossil fuels.” “It is undeniable that for limit global warming At 1.5ºC we must reduce CO2 emissions rapidly and phase out the use of fossil fuels by 2035 at the latest. The alternative is an unmanageable future for Humanity,” she recalled.

Oil Change International has warned that fossil fuels are not only not equivalent to development, employment and benefits economic, but “threaten our ways of life, our health and biodiversity.

Díaz sees the statements as “regrettable”

The second vice president and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, has called the statements “regrettable.” According to him, he stated in a message on the social network ‘X’, these words “confirm those who criticized his appointment as president of the COP.”

“The end of dependence on fossil fuels is a condition for life and future of the planet possible,” he added.