COP28 Presidency did not “calculate” that the final debate would be on fossil fuels

The crisis in the UN climate summit negotiations (COP28) is due to the fact that the presidency of the meeting, headed by oil executive Sultan al Jaber, “did not calculate that the final debate would focus on fossil fuels”, which has unleashed a great “political tension”.

This is how Colombia’s Environment Minister, Susana Muhamad, analyzed it for EFE, on the margins of the climate meeting that is approaching its final hour without it being known if there will finally be an agreement, after the COP28 presidency presented on Monday a draft that was harshly criticized for not incorporating measures to limit or extinguish the use of fossil fuels.

“I think that perhaps the presidency never expected or rather did not calculate that in the end this COP was going to be about fossil fuels in the most important region of fossil fuel production. And that causes political tension. That is the issue (of the crisis)”Muhamad stated.

In that sense, he explained that in the context of the negotiations, which began on November 30 and which were expected to be resolved on the morning of this Tuesday the 12th, there is a “division” between two blocks: “the resistance of the producing countries (of fossil fuels) and the awareness of many, the majority, who are aware of the emergency of the moment”.

Colombia has shown itself during the meeting as one of the countries most committed to the fair energy transition and the end of the use of fossil fuels, despite being a producer of both coal and oil.

“From here we cannot come out with a soft message in the face of the scientific reality of climate change and its causes. That’s what most people think. But there is a sector, which is not minor either, that does not want to see any reference to the elimination of fossil fuels. And that implies that they are obviously defending their own legitimate economic interests. But that cannot be done at the expense of everyone’s safety.“, said.

Transition

In his opinion, the key to unblocking the meeting lies in the options for the energy transition of these countries (which he did not mention).

“We must achieve something that sustains climate ambition, but also generates the means of implementation necessary for the transition, that considers the differences between countries, without giving up what science tells us to stabilize the planet’s temperature.“, said.

So, “The way is to consider the differences and understand that we must face the difficulty of this transition because there are entire economies that depend on the export and production of fuels.”.

In this way, one could “make a range between the producer-exporters on whom it depends most deeply and who depends least, that has to be taken into consideration in a strategic plan to get out of fossil fuels”.

“But countries have to have the capabilities for the transition. At the same time, the deadline is very tight according to science. Those are the political tensions, and that’s what the COP is about“, said.

Muhammad asked in that sense “political will” to face that transition, which is “that of diversifying the economy to depend less on oil and coal”.

Along with that, we must look for ways “to encourage that purpose” with “international financial responses”.

“The fight is also with the financial system and the multilateral system, which respond to the scale and dimension of the climate emergency. This is an emergency, we must ask for extraordinary measures if we are serious about reducing 43% of emissions by 2030. This cannot be done waiting for help”, he emphasized.