Jaber's "phasing out fossil fuels to control global temperature has no scientific basis" has sparked controversy again

The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which is currently in Dubai, has just entered its fourth day, and on December 3, COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber made a controversial remark two weeks ago. Jaber claims that there is "no scientific basis" for the phase-out of fossil fuels to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

On November 30, 2023 local time, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sultan bin Ahmed Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and President of COP28, attended the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and delivered a speech. Surging image diagram

The remarks were at odds with UN Secretary-General António Guterres' position and drew widespread attention from all sectors of the climate community at the meeting. According to the report, in a live online event on November 21, when Mary Robinson, the current United Nations special envoy for climate change, asked Jaber whether he would take the lead in phasing out fossil fuels, Jaber responded: "I agreed to participate in this meeting and have a calm and mature conversation." But I in no way agree with any alarmist discussion. There is no scientific basis, nor is there any scenario to suggest that the 1.5C target can be achieved by phasing out fossil fuels. ”

Robinson turned to media reports that Jaber's oil company plans to invest more in fossil fuels in the future. In response, Jaber said that the reports were biased and wrong.

He further responded, "Please show me a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels that can lead to sustainable socio-economic development – unless you want to take the world back to the cave age." ”

Speaking at the summit on December 1, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: "The science is clear: the 1.5 degree climate goal will only be possible if we finally phase out all burning fossil fuels." Not a reduction, not a reduction, but a phase-out, with a clear timetable. At the same time, Guterres stressed the need for a "just transition" to ensure that countries balance their individual work and economic rights in their energy transition journey.

According to the latest research by the Global Carbon Project's scientific team, global carbon emissions from fossil fuels rose again in 2023 to reach record levels. Among them, the annual carbon dioxide emissions are about 36.8 billion tons, an increase of 1.1% over 2022. As the world continues to burn fossil fuels, global temperatures are expected to hit record highs this year.

Ahead of the conference, Jaber's dual role as COP28 climate president and CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) had already been the subject of widespread controversy. According to a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on December 2, multiple data indicate that Adnoc is currently in a phase of rapid expansion. In response, Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency, said that Adnoc's expansion was incompatible with the goal of keeping global temperatures below a dangerous threshold.

It is reported that during the meeting, more than 100 countries from Africa, Europe, the Pacific and the Caribbean supported the phase-out of fossil fuels. The United States, the world's largest oil and gas producer, also supports the phase-out of fossil fuels.