COP28 News Roundup | November 10–16, 2023
What will surveillance look like at COP28? How will the U.S. and China’s new deal aid in global climate cooperation?
Each week, articles are selected from news sources worldwide highlighting key dialogues, trends and issues among COP28 leaders, the gas and oil industry, carbon capture and storage technology, and climate policies.
What Happens When You Put a Fossil Fuel Exec in Charge of Solving Climate Change
Abu Dhabi, UAE — In a recent visit to Abu Dhabi, TIME Magazine sat down with Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and head of COP28.
Al Jaber’s role as both a fossil-fuel executive and COP28 president has incited debate over recent months, with some questioning whether he is equipped to approach the complexities of the climate agenda. Critics have included Greta Thunberg, Al Gore, and the Human Rights Watch, among other activist groups.
Al Jaber has a more pragmatic approach to the climate crisis than previous COP28 leaders, acknowledging the inevitability of fossil fuel phase-down while recognizing the world’s current dependence on the existing energy system. He wishes to incorporate the business sector in climate discussions, and hopes to bridge the gap between the oil industry and climate advocates.
“A phasedown of fossil fuels is inevitable, it is essential,” said Jaber. “We have to accept that… [but] we need to get real. We cannot unplug the world from the current energy system before we build a new energy system.”
ADNOC’s current initiatives include investments in carbon capture projects and efforts to reduce methane leaks. Al Jaber is calling for similar commitments from other oil companies, stressing the importance of decarbonizing the industry while acknowledging the continued demand for oil, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Amnesty Warns of UAE Surveillance During UN Climate Summit
London, England — Amnesty International has voiced apprehensions about the supposed use of digital surveillance by authorities in the UAE to target both COP28 attendees and residents.
“It is no secret that targeted digital surveillance has long been weaponized in the United Arab Emirates to crush dissent and stifle freedom of expression,” said Rebecca White, a campaigner with Amnesty’s Disrupting Surveillance Team, in a statement..
Many activists have expressed concerns about potential spyware targeting human rights defenders and civil society members attending COP28. Amnesty International emphasized that human rights must be respected while at the COP28 conference, including those of privacy and peaceful assembly. Though the UAE has pledged to provide a platform for activists’ voices, Amnesty International states that this can only be achieved if fundamental rights are respected.
Amnesty International also believes COP28 attendees should be permitted to download privacy-respecting international communication applications like Signal to ensure secure and encrypted means of communication.
U.S. and China Strike Deal on Climate Ahead of COP28
Bali, Indonesia — A landmark development shows that the United States and China have forged bilateral cooperation in advancing climate initiatives, as the world’s two largest carbon emitters. These will include tripling renewable energy capacity globally by 2030, slowing down coal-fired power plants, and devoting larger focus on methane emissions.
A central component of the agreement is the shared commitment to “pursue efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally by 2030.” This confirms the leaders’ joint recognition of the crucial role renewable energy plays in mitigating climate change.
While the statements lack a commitment from China to cease approving new coal-fired power plants altogether, they do address the broader issue of power sector emissions. The agreement acknowledges that an increased focus on renewable energy will “accelerate the substitution for coal, oil, and gas generation.”
Both leaders will be instrumental to orchestrating a discussion dedicated to methane during COP28. The joint commitment to tackle overall greenhouse gases, including non-CO2 warming agents like nitrous oxide, showcases a comprehensive approach to climate action..
These commitments will have a “meaningful impact for generations to come,” said COP28 President Al-Jaber.
Court Ruling Forces German Government to Reshuffle Climate Policy Funds Worth 60 Billion Euros
Karlsruhe, Germany — Germany’s Constitutional Court has found that the government’s budget planning for climate initiatives is unconstitutional, diverting billions of euros away from climate vulnerable states.
The ruling declares that Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition cannot repurpose funds allocated for the pandemic and climate response to fill the long-term “Climate and Transformation Fund.” While existing climate commitments remain unaffected, the decision is an obstacle to financing decarbonization and international support initiatives in the future.
The Climate and Transformation Fund, designed to support climate policies over several years, is now not in effect. The government is compelled to find a temporary solution to prevent immediate disruptions, according to Chancellor Scholz.
Germany is currently preparing to host the COP29 climate summit, which will occur in the city of Bonn if no Eastern European country agrees to host. The ruling introduces uncertainty about the country’s financial commitment to climate action, and reinforces existing debates about the financial footing of climate policies.
Global Faith Leaders Call For Urgent Action on Climate Change
Vatican City —Nearly thirty faith leaders, including representatives from Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Hinduism, have jointly issued an appeal urging decisive action to combat climate change at the upcoming COP28 summit.
The delegation was headed by Professor Mohamed Al-Duweini representing the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, representing Pope Francis. All members signed the appeal at the Global Faith Leaders Summit on Climate Change in Abu Dhabi.
The interfaith appeal includes calls for accelerated energy transitions, Earth protection, the adoption of circular models for sustainable living, and integration of clean energy solutions. Signatories, who participated in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony featuring the national tree of the UAE, the ghaf tree, committed to supporting the inaugural ‘Faith Pavilion’ at COP28 and future COP Conventions.
The appeal was presented to Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President-Designate of COP28, who acknowledged its “special significance.” Al Jaber commended the faith leaders for their powerful statement, emphasizing urgency, unity, solidarity, responsibility, and hope in addressing climate change. He pledged to carry their message during COP28.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 28th Conference of the Parties (UNFCCCC COP28) Conference will be held from November 30th — December 12th, 2023, in Expo City, Dubai.
This news trend summary is prepared and edited by Carolyn Neugarten, Intern and Editorial Assistant, FINN Partners. To suggest future articles and topics, please contact Carolyn at carolyn.neugarten@finnpartners.com. You can share and utilize these weekly summaries to engage and prepare for COP28.
