COP28 president advocates for fossil fuels with carbon capture

Driving the news: Sultan al-Jaber, president of the UN COP28 and head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), advocated for the use of fossil fuels alongside carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to curb global warming.

• His stance conflicted with the views of numerous environmental ministers and climate activists. 
• German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, during a closing press briefing alongside Jaber, stated, "We have to get out of fossil fuels; we have to dramatically reduce emissions."

The context: Ministers and delegates from over 40 countries participated in private meetings during the Berlin conference to discuss the possibility of reaching an agreement on phasing out fossil fuels at COP28.

Why does it matter for the planet: Activists are concerned that promoting carbon capture as a solution to climate change allows oil and gas producers to maintain their current practices instead of investing in renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. 

• Dan Jørgensen, Danish Minister for Global Climate Policy, speaking to the Financial Times, said there were concerns “about making sure [CCS] does not become an excuse for not making the [energy] transformation we need”.

What's next: In the coming weeks, watch for negotiations leading up to the COP28 as participants start testing the ground. The potential agreement on phasing out fossil fuels and setting a new global goal for renewable energy will be key points of focus.

One quote: "We need to really honestly look at where we are, what we haven't done, and what we need to do. The fossil fuel era has to come to an end." (Tina Stege, Climate Envoy for the Marshall Islands).

Click for more carbon news or to discover more on the processes to remove carbon from the atmosphere.

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