United Arab Emirates – Startling revelations have emerged ahead of the COP28 climate talks as leaked documents suggest that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) team, responsible for organizing the summit, intended to leverage its hosting position to forge new oil and gas agreements with foreign governments. The cache of documents, made public by the UK-registered Centre for Climate Reporting, appears to be briefing notes prepared for Sultan Al Jaber, who is set to preside over the UN climate negotiations. These notes outline talking points for Al Jaber’s meetings with foreign officials leading up to the summit.
Organized as country profiles, the leaked documents provide a glimpse into the strategy the UAE had in mind for engaging with various nations. Each profile delves into the climate progress of the respective country, assessing key areas such as financial contributions, efforts to decarbonize food systems, and the adoption of renewable energy sources. Moreover, the documents identify opportunities for raising the ambitions of these countries in the context of the climate talks.
The revelation of the UAE’s intention to pursue oil and gas deals during the climate summit has sparked concern and debate within the international community. Critics argue that such a strategy appears contradictory to the overarching goal of COP28, which is to address and combat climate change. The leaked documents add a layer of complexity to the diplomatic dynamics expected to unfold during the climate talks, as participating nations grapple with the delicate balance between economic interests and environmental responsibilities. The extent to which these revelations will influence the discussions and outcomes of COP28 remains to be seen, but they undeniably cast a spotlight on the intersection of economic priorities and climate action on the global stage.
Source/Credit: https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/27/climate/uae-cop28-documents-al-jaber-climate-intl/index.html
