Environmentalists and experts, gear up for a climate bombshell at COP28! Leaked docs expose UAE's secret fossil fuel deals with 15 nations, raising eyebrows on climate neutrality.
In a surprising turn of events, leaked briefing documents have uncovered the UAE's covert plans to engage in fossil fuel deals with 15 nations during the upcoming COP28 summit. These confidential documents, obtained by independent journalists collaborating with the BBC, hint at business talks that could impact the neutrality of the climate negotiations.
The UAE's COP28 team, responsible for hosting the summit, did not deny the use of COP28 meetings for business discussions. However, they emphasized the privacy of these talks, stating, "private meetings are private." The leaked documents, prepared by the UAE's COP28 team for meetings with 27 foreign governments, unveil proposed "talking points" aimed at countries like China, Colombia, Germany, and Egypt.
China, for instance, is targeted with the suggestion that the UAE's state oil company is "willing to jointly evaluate international LNG opportunities" in Mozambique, Canada, and Australia. Similar talking points were crafted for 13 other countries, outlining Adnoc's interest in collaborating on fossil fuel projects.
What's even more intriguing is the preparation of talking points for the UAE's state renewable energy company, Masdar. Ahead of meetings with 20 countries, including the UK, United States, France, and China, the documents hint at discussions on commercial opportunities in the renewable sector.
As the global community anticipates meaningful climate action at COP28, the leaked documents cast a shadow on the impartiality expected during such crucial climate talks. The President of COP28, Dr. Sultan al-Jaber, who also heads the UAE's state oil company and renewables business, finds himself at the center of these allegations.
Environmental experts express concerns about the potential breach of conduct, as engaging in business deals during COP negotiations contradicts the standards set by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC emphasizes the "cardinal principle" of impartiality for COP presidents, expecting them to act without bias, self-interest, or favoritism.
This revelation sparks worry among climate leaders, with Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, head of the COP20 summit in Peru, warning of potential trust collapse and a hindrance to progress in addressing climate change.
The COP28 summit, hosted by the UAE in Dubai, is a pivotal moment for climate discussions, with world leaders aiming to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C. However, these recent revelations about the UAE's dual role in business and climate leadership raise questions about the sincerity of their commitment.
Stay tuned as COP28 unfolds, and the global community watches closely to see if these allegations impact the summit's success.
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