UN chief, COP28 president clashover future of fossil fuels
DUBAI—UN secretary general Antonio Guterres urged world leaders at the COP28 climate summit to plan for a future without fossil fuels, saying there was no other way to rein in global warming.
Guterres spoke a day after COP28 president Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber proposed embracing fossil fuels into the future, exposing a major divide in the conference that opened with nearly 200 nations agreeing on Thursday to launch a fund to support countries hit by global warming.
The formal establishment of the “loss and damage” fund long sought by climate-vulnerable nations provided an early win at COP28, where sharp divisions over the phasing out of fossil fuels were immediately apparent.
“We have delivered history today,” said Jaber as delegates embraced, cheered and gave a standing ovation.
‘Not reduce, not abate’Jaber said it was “the first time a decision has been adopted on day one of any COP and the speed in which we have done so is also unique, phenomenal and historic.
“This is evidence that we can deliver. COP28 can and will deliver,” he said.
On Friday, Guterres declared that “we cannot save a burning planet with a fire hose of fossil fuels.”
“The 1.5-degree limit is only possible if we ultimately stop burning all fossil fuels. Not reduce. Not abate,” he said, referring to nascent technologies to capture and store carbon emissions.
The dueling visions summed up the most divisive issue facing world leaders at this year’s UN climate summit in the oil producing country of United Arab Emirates.
King Charles III of Britain pleaded with world leaders to make progress in the global climate agenda.
Tipping points ‘reached’“Scientists have been warning for so long, we are seeing alarming tipping points being reached,” he said, warning that failing to rein in emissions would result in catastrophe.
“Unless we rapidly repair and restore nature’s economy, based on harmony and balance, which is our ultimate sustainer, our own economy and survivability will be imperiled,” said the king, who has spent most of his adult life campaigning on the environment.
The comments from Charles appeared to be at odds with the actions of his government. —REUTERS
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