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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber’s controversial remarks that “no science” exhibits a fossil gas phaseout is required to hit local weather objectives could require “clarification,” U.S. local weather envoy John Kerry advised POLITICO.
Kerry’s remarks — his first response because the Guardian revealed al-Jaber’s feedback on Sunday — present the U.S. diplomat is just not withdrawing his long-standing assist for the COP28 chief, regardless of ongoing issues about al-Jaber’s different position as CEO of ADNOC, the UAE’s state-owned mega oil agency.
“Look, he is gotta resolve how he needs to phrase it, however the backside line is that this COP must be dedicated to phasing out all unabated fossil gas,” Kerry advised POLITICO’s Energy Play podcast with Anne McElvoy.
Talking throughout a web-based occasion in November, al-Jaber mentioned there was no scientific foundation to conclude {that a} fossil gas phaseout is required to limit world heating to 1.5 levels Celsius — essentially the most bold goal of the Paris Settlement. Kerry tried to contextualize the remarks.
“What I believe he was saying, and perhaps it got here out the incorrect manner, I do not know; I believe he was saying that the science doesn’t dictate the methodology that it’s a must to use,” he mentioned. “It’s important to select between many alternative methods of doing it. Possibly it occurs via carbon seize, perhaps it doesn’t” — a reference to the largely unproven expertise that removes emissions earlier than they enter the ambiance.
Along with al-Jaber’s dismissal of the science supporting a fossil gas phaseout — a stance local weather scientists shortly disputed — the COP28 president has additionally taken warmth for leaked paperwork indicating the UAE deliberate to make use of the summit to push fossil gas offers, allegations al-Jaber strenuously denied.
Kerry has tried to stroll a tremendous line for months with al-Jaber. He has embraced the selection to place an oil govt atop the local weather talks, arguing it could assist convey the business to the desk to barter much-needed cuts to greenhouse gasoline air pollution. However the assist has stood out amid the flood of dissent from local weather advocates and scores of lawmakers within the U.S. and EU.
In his remarks on the on-line occasion, al-Jaber additionally argued that phasing out fossil fuels wouldn’t permit sustainable improvement “except you wish to take the world again into caves.”
Kerry inspired folks to take heed to al-Jaber’s phrases at COP28 itself, which started final Thursday in Dubai and runs via mid-December: “I heard him definitively say in his opening feedback to your entire COP that he’s dedicated to 1.5 levels and that we have to do all of the issues essential to implement that.”
When requested whether or not he would advise al-Jaber to make clear his remarks, Kerry mentioned: “Possibly there will be a clarification. I do not know, however I do know that the COP president’s place is that we’ve got to attain 1.5 levels, and he has mentioned that many times.”
On Monday, al-Jaber did supply some clarification in his first public look because the report was revealed. He took pictures on the media portrayal of his feedback, which he mentioned ignored his earlier remarks that it’s “inevitable” and “important” for the world to maneuver off of fossil fuels.
“One assertion will get taken out of context with misrepresentation and misinterpretation — that will get most protection,” he mentioned throughout a press convention.
Al-Jaber mentioned the world should shave world emissions 43 p.c this decade to have an opportunity at hitting the 1.5 levels Celsius objective. On that time, he mentioned he thought he had been “crystal clear.”
“Let me simply make clear the place I stand on the science — I hope this time it will get picked up,” he harassed. “I’m fairly stunned on the fixed try to undermine this message.”
Jim Skea, who chairs the authoritative local weather science physique the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Local weather Change, additionally defended al-Jaber in the course of the press convention. Seated to the COP president’s left, Skea mentioned al-Jaber has been “attentive” via one-on-one conferences concerning the science.
Nonetheless, al-Jaber is dealing with ongoing criticism for failing to deal with the UAE’s personal rise in oil manufacturing. ADNOC could drill 42 p.c extra by 2030, in keeping with latest projections.
Chatting with POLITICO, Kerry agreed that the UAE should “minimize [oil and gas production], and all people must be lowering provide and demand.”
U.S. oil manufacturing, after all, additionally hit an all-time excessive this yr.
Al-Jaber has staked his credibility on performing as a realistic dealer between local weather negotiators and the oil and gasoline business, the place he’s a serious participant. Over the weekend he revealed the fruits of that work: an alliance of fifty firms pledging to scale back their emissions.
However on Sunday, U.N. Secretary-Common António Guterres pooh-poohed the trouble. “The guarantees made clearly fall brief of what’s required,” he mentioned, noting the failure to deal with emissions from later burning the business’s oil and gasoline.
“Integrity actually issues,” mentioned Guterres. “So there should be no room for greenwashing. And this additionally applies to what has been introduced yesterday.”
You may take heed to the total interview with John Kerry on Energy Play on Thursday.
Karl Mathiesen contributed reporting.
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