Climate Minister optimistic – despite COP28 rule’s words on fossil fuels

The head of the COP28 meeting, Sultan Al Jaber, recently said during a live event that Watchman He pointed out that “there is no scientific evidence indicating the necessity of phasing out fossil fuels in order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.”

– Not right about that. Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (left) tells SVT that phasing out fossil fuels is the most important thing we can do to stop global warming.

According to Romina Pourmokhtari, Sultan Al Jaber’s statement is problematic, but she also believes that it may lead to increased pressure on the United Arab Emirates.

– It is important to get the largest emitters and fossil fuel countries to join the climate transition process. So, first of all, it’s good that we have a discussion about this now.

“The research is clear. A 1.5 degree limit will only be possible if we stop burning all fossil fuels,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday.

Criticized decision

The fact that Sultan Al Jaber was chosen as the leader of the climate summit was heavily criticized due to his role as CEO of the state-owned oil and gas company ADNOC. Among other things, more than 100 members of the US Congress and European Union parliamentarians called for his resignation.

Some say it’s a sign of the oil lobby’s control at the climate summit, while others say he may be the right person to put pressure on other oil sheikhs.

– He is the president, so it is clear that he influences the outcome. But because the UAE specifically is a fossil fuel-dependent country, they are under a lot of pressure and a lot of scrutiny about what they write about these issues, says Romina Pourmokhtari.

In the clip, you can hear Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari’s comment about the COP28 leader’s statement.