As talks at COP28 progress and there is intense debate over whether to include in the final declaration a clear intention to program the end of the use of fossil fuels, a key source of global warming and climate change overall, countries are leading the way Oil production in the world is worrying.
A letter published by the international press on Friday (8) from OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) to its sister association OPEC+, which also includes other fossil fuel producing countries, revealed the discussions on the possible directions of COP28 and their implications for it Sector that, despite criticism, continues to be an important part of the global economy.
The document referred to the draft final text of COP28 published by the UN climate panel on Tuesday (5). Another draft was published on Friday.
COP discussions are traditionally included in the draft final declaration of every climate summit, and this year there are a range of options for oil, from agreeing to a “phase out of fossil fuels in accordance with the best available science” (Phase Out), to towards phasing out “abatementfree fossil fuels” (Phase Down), which favors options such as carbon capture from the air, and also one option on the negotiating table is not to include any text on fossil fuels.
“It appears that the unreasonable and disproportionate pressure on fossil fuels may be reaching a tipping point with irreversible consequences, as the draft decision still contains options for phasing out fossil fuels,” said the letter, seen by Portal.
The document called on OPECaffiliated delegations at COP28 to “proactively reject any text or formula that targets the energy source, that is, fossil fuels rather than emissions.”
“While OPEC member countries and nonOPEC countries participating in the Charter of Cooperation take climate change seriously and have a proven track record of climate action, it would be unacceptable for politically motivated campaigns to harm the prosperity and future of our people,” he adds The document is consistent with previous statements by the current president of COP28, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who heads the United Arab Emirates oil company.
Identical letters signed by Haitham alGhais, the Kuwaiti oil executive and secretary general of OPEC, were sent to the organization's 13 members, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and Nigeria. These countries hold 80% of the world's oil reserves and have produced around 40% of the world's oil in the last decade, reports The Guardian newspaper.
“They’re panicking.”
Experts and politicians interviewed by the AP agency reacted to the movement in the oil sector. “I think they're panicking,” said Alden Meyer, an analyst at climate think tank E3G. “Maybe the Saudis can’t do what they want on their own. [membros da Opep] “We’ve been doing this for 30 years and blocking the process.”
Former Irish President Mary Robinson said: “They are scared. I think they're worried. It gives me hope.” Robinson, copresident of the retired leadership group The Elders, is known for her climate activism. Speaking to her, Sultan Al Jaber made statements refusing to recognize the need to end the use of fossil fuels to prevent climate collapse, which caused him headaches during this COP in Dubai.
Also at this year's climate summit, Brazil was invited to join OPEC+, sparking criticism of Brazil's hypocrisy in championing a green future while joining the petrostate club. The Lula government immediately declared that if Brazil joined the organization, it would play a role in defending an energy transition within the institution.