UAE CLIMATE ENVOY URGES “CAN-DO VISION” TO ACHIEVE GOALS
Al Jaber framed COP28 as a chance to bring key issues together under a unifying umbrella of raised ambition on emissions and real-world implementation.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates— The president of the COP28 climate summit called for applying optimistic pragmatism to unlock an “unprecedented” global agreement curbing carbon emissions during negotiations the next two weeks in Dubai, writes Winston Mwale.
Speaking Wednesday, Sultan Al Jaber, a special climate envoy for the host country United Arab Emirates, told assembled delegates that this round of UN talks must shun old obstacles and detours leading to incrementalism.
He advocated for compromise toward charting a new direction.
“If we want to accelerate progress across the climate agenda, we must apply a positive can-do vision to get a (Global Stocktake) decision with the highest ambition,” Al Jaber urged in the opening plenary speech.
“We must translate the negotiated outcomes into real results in the real world."
The world has reached an urgent crossroads demanding swifter emissions cuts before devastating climate change escalation becomes “locked-in” and irreversible, Al Jab told officials from nearly 200 nations gathered for COP28.
He pledged an inclusive negotiating process covering all issues without taboos, possibly including language on the role of fossil fuels and renewables in transitioning global energy systems. Sticking points have hindered agreements in the past.
“What began in Sharm El Sheikh, and was given critical momentum in Abu Dhabi earlier this month must now be delivered and actioned in Dubai,” Al Jaber said referencing breakthroughs on funding climate damages.
The two-week conference is occurring as the UN warns the world remains “dangerously off target” for meeting temperature goals.
Al Jaber framed COP28 as a chance to bring key issues together under a unifying umbrella of raised ambition on emissions and real-world implementation.