Next President of the Climate Summit COP28 From the United Nations established a The ‘scaling up’ global climate finance agenda Finally Reach the $100 billion pledged to help the poorest countries adapt to climate changeIt is a goal that eluded his predecessors.
Sultan Al JaberThe COP28-designate and Chairman of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company said to Petersburg Climate Dialogue in Berlin The “mobilization” of private finance and the reform of international financial institutions was a priority. Also, he kept focusing on Develop technologies to reduce emissionsAnd rather than phasing out fossil fuel production.
“In a pragmatic, fair, and well-managed energy transition, we must focus on phasing out fossil fuel emissions, while developing viable and affordable decarbonized alternatives.“, He said.
Jaber has been on a “listening tour” since his appointment in January, In recent weeks, he has met climate leaders and ambassadors in China, the United States and Paris. He pointed out that “Expectations are high and confidence is low“.
“We must strengthen climate finance, making it more available, easily accessible and affordable to drive delivery across all climate pillars.“, He said. “The public, multilateral and private sectors must mobilize in new and innovative ways on the critical issue of climate finance“.
He was praised for his efforts Mia MotleyPrime Minister Barbadoswho led the reform world bank And multilateral development banks that too It will be the focus of a summit in Paris next month hosted by the French president Emmanuel Macron.
Speaking by video, Motley told the Berlin audience that Jaber’s efforts to build consensus were essential in providing a “turning point for the world” at the COP 28 Summit in Dubai.
He said Developing countries’ access to finance must be accompanied by access to technology and growth opportunities. Motley suggested Three “uncomplicated” fundraising methods To help poor countries adapt to climate change and finance growth, including A Oil and gas company income taxIn addition to A carbon tax of $100 per ton on freight and a Stamp tax on financing.
Of the $100 billion Adaptation Fund pledged at the UN summit in Copenhagen 14 years ago, developed countries have raised just $83.3 billion by the 2020 deadline.according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
More than 40 passes It sent representatives to the two-day conference in Berlin last week, which was also attended by the US climate envoy John Kerry And the German chancellor Olaf Schulz. Germany is behind on its commitment to contribute €6 billion annually by 2025.
german foreign minister, Annalina BerbockAfter a donor meeting, tell the delegates that He believes the $100 billion target can be reached this year. Slow contributions from rich countries remain a sticking point in climate policy negotiations at the United Nations.
“This is hindering progress, and as part of my disclosure, I am asking donor countries to provide a final assessment of their compliance with this commitment prior to COP28. It is vitalJaber said,The true value of this commitment has eroded over time“.
The COP 28 summit organized by the United Arab Emirates in December was designated as “Global Balance”, When countries provide an assessment of their progress in meeting the emissions reductions stipulated in the Paris Agreement. according to Paris agreementCountries agreed to limit the increase in general temperature to much less than 2 c Ideally, to 1.5 c. At last year’s climate conference in EgyptAnd Oil-producing nations have led the charge against efforts to eliminate all fossil fuels, the main contributors of greenhouse gases behind global warming.
but Jaber stayed firm In his speech in Berlin in it Emissions reduction can be achieved by introducing more “carbon-neutral” alternatives. This is in line with his focus on ways to reduce emissions, such as carbon capture technology, rather than reducing fossil fuel production, Which drew criticism from many climate change experts.
Alex Scotthead of the geopolitical and climate diplomacy program at consulting firm E3G, said the talks in Berlin were “This is an opportunity for the UAE to address the criticisms it has faced and begin to set a really ambitious agenda for what countries should be prepared to deliver. to COP28“.
