COP28: Politicians call for the resignation of the head of the summit – 05/23/2023 – Environment

More than 100 members of the US Congress and the European Parliament called on Tuesday for Sultan al-Jaber to be removed as head of COP28, the UN climate change conference, saying the appointment of the oil executive threatens the integrity of the negotiations.

Al-Jaber, who runs UAE oil giant Abu Dhabi National Petroleum Company, was chosen in January to lead the talks. He also serves as the Emirates Minister of Industry and Technology, as well as its climate envoy.

In a letter sent to US President Joe Biden, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the UN, lawmakers expressed “deep concern” that private sector polluters could “exert undue influence” in climate negotiations. , to be held in Dubai at the end of this year.

“We ask that you … engage in diplomatic efforts to secure the removal of the COP28 Chair-designate,” they wrote.

COP28 is also experiencing a crisis caused by the host country’s invitation to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Signatories included Democratic United States Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Most of the European Union’s signatories came from green and left-wing groups.

Scientists and climate activists expressed dismay at Jaber’s appointment, interpreting it as a sign that big industry has dominated the global response to the climate crisis.

More than 600 fossil fuel lobbyists attended the COP27 climate talks held in Egypt last year.

A spokesperson for the COP28 president’s office highlighted Al-Jaber’s long career in the renewable energy sector.

“We believe Dr Sultan’s experience (…) working across the energy spectrum, coupled with his experience as a senior global industry leader, are assets that will help drive the UAE’s transformative approach to COP28,” said the spokesperson.

Al-Jaber earlier told Reuters he had “no intention” of deviating from the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

“Keeping 1.5°C alive is a top priority and it will affect everything I do,” he said.

This is not the first time lawmakers have called for Al-Jaber’s removal.

Shortly after his appointment, 27 Democratic members of the US Congress sent a letter to the top US climate envoy, John Kerry, urging him to convince the future host of the UN climate summit to cancel the selection of Al-Jaber.

Others lent their support to the oil executive. On Monday (22), EU climate policy chief Frans Timmermans told a meeting of the European Parliament that “if we want the energy transition to succeed, we have to involve energy companies”.

“Blagging and ignoring them is not going to drive momentum in terms of the energy transition, and Dr. Sultan al-Jaber also has a long history of investing in renewable energy within his company,” said Timmermans.