UAE COP28 chief says fossil fuels must be part of climate deal
The Emirati host of the UN climate conference said Thursday that fossil fuels must be part of any deal as the crucial negotiations on global warming opened in Dubai.
The two-week-long talks come at a pivotal moment, with emissions still rising and the World Meteorological Organization declaring 2023 is set to be the hottest year in human history.
In a significant step, nations are expected to formally approve on Thursday the launch of a "loss and damage" fund for climate-vulnerable countries after a year of hard-fought negotiations over how it would work.
But the fund remains to be filled, with rich nations urged to make contributions so the money can start flowing.
World leaders have been urged to move quicker to a clean energy future and make deeper cuts to emissions, with the world off-track to keeping global temperature rises below agreed levels.
There have been high-powered calls for the nearly 200 nations at COP to agree on a phaseout of fossil fuels, a proposal opposed by some powerful nations, and one that has dogged past negotiations.
But Sultan Al Jaber, the president of COP28 and chief of UAE oil giant ADNOC, asked delegates in Dubai to "adopt a different mindset" as negotiations commenced.
"It is essential that no issue is left off the table... we must look for ways and ensure the inclusion of the role of fossil fuels," Jaber said in his opening address.
COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber said no issue should be 'off the table' at the climate talks.