Guest articles

 

“This year, the year of the Global Stocktake, we have an unprecedented opportunity to turn policies into practical outcomes.” • “We need tangible progress, this year, on reform that will unlock far more concessional finance, mitigate risk, and attract more private capital.” • “We must be laser focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions, while phasing up viable, affordable zero carbon alternatives.”

BERLIN, 2 May 2023: Today in a speech at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, the COP28 President-Designate, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, presented his broad ambitions for COP28.

Dr. Al Jaber stated: “We have just passed the seven-year mark since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, with just seven years to go to 2030. Seven years to reduce emissions by 43 percent and keep the ambitions of the Paris Agreement alive.”

Dr Al Jaber added that “the most recent IPCC report has already made it crystal clear that we are way off track. This is a moment of clarity that we must face with total honesty. We must unite and seize the moment of the Global Stocktake to put the world on the right track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.” On renewables, Dr Al Jaber called on the world to “triple capacity by 2030 and double it again by 2040.”

“In my meetings with climate, finance, and development ministers across the Global South, what I hear time and again is that climate finance is nowhere near available, accessible, or affordable enough. IFIs and MDBs are not keeping pace with the challenges of the 21st century.”

“Developing countries are still waiting for the 100 billion dollars promised by developed countries 14 years ago. This is holding up progress, and as part of my outreach, I am requesting donor countries to provide a definitive extraordinary report on the delivery of this commitment by COP28. It is vital to the political credibility of the UNFCCC process, that donors step up to this long overdue obligation ahead of COP28… especially as the real value of this commitment has eroded over time.”

Dr Al Jaber warned that “If the world does not come up with effective mechanisms to deliver climate finance to developing and emerging economies, they will have no choice but to choose a carbon intensive development path. That is an outcome we want to avoid simply because it is in nobody’s interests.”

“In a pragmatic, just and well managed energy transition, we must be laser-focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions, while phasing up viable, affordable zero carbon alternatives. We know that the energies used today will continue to be part of the global energy mix for the foreseeable future. As such, we will work with the world to decarbonize the current energy system while we build a new one, capable of transitioning even the most heavy-emitting industries.”

He highlighted that “COP28 must also provide tangible solutions to help people adapt to climate change and manage growing climate impacts. That is why we will be the first COP to dedicate a day to health and the first to host a health and climate ministerial.”

“We need to broaden our definition of adaptation to enable global climate resilience, transform food systems, and enhance forestry, land use and water management.”

Dr. Al Jaber concluded by saying “Let’s put an end to delays and start delivery. Let’s turn passion into pragmatic solutions. Let’s end polarization and empower partnership. There are moments in history when humanity comes together to fight a common threat… Let’s unite in solidarity for the sake of humanity. Let’s live up to the responsibility that we have been entrusted with. Let us restore political credibility to the legal agreements that we have not yet fulfilled. Let’s work together to deliver an ambitious agenda and a practical action-oriented plan for 2030. Let’s unite a divided world for the planet, for our people and for lasting sustainable development. The world demands transformational progress. The world needs transformational action.”

Click here to read the in Arabic

 

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber Speech:

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to join Her Excellency Minister Annalena Baerbock in welcoming you to the Petersberg Climate Dialogue.

Let me also recognize Secretary General Guterres for his inspiring words today.

Allow me also to recognize the successes of COP27, which are the result of the steady leadership of my dear friend His Excellency Sameh Shoukry and the hard work of his team.

And let me thank each and every one of you, for joining us today at this important meeting.

Colleagues, as you know, over the last three months, my team and I have been proactively engaged on a listening tour, where I have heard many voices from the global south, major economies, indigenous peoples, NGOs, youth, civil society and the business community.

In fact, many of you here today have shared great insights, which have deepened my understanding and helped shape my approach to the task at hand.

Over the next two days, I look forward to an informative and constructive dialogue and I will continue to listen very closely to your valuable ideas and perspectives.

My friends, this is our collective responsibility, and this responsibility requires our honesty and our collective effort.

And as you all know, we can only succeed through genuine partnership, real collaboration, and shared purpose…that is the true foundation of multilateralism.

With me here today are members of the COP28 team, who are passionately committed to this important cause.

I am joined by H.E. Mariam Almheiri, the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment and H.E Razan Al Mubarak, COP28 High Level Champion.

Together, with the guidance of the United Arab Emirates leadership, we take on the role of hosting COP28 with humility, a deep sense of responsibility, and a great sense of urgency.

Excellencies, we have just passed the 7-year mark since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, with just 7 years to go to 2030.

7 years to reduce emissions by 43 percent and keep the ambitions of the Paris Agreement alive.

This is the year of the first Global Stocktake that will measure progress since Paris.

The most recent IPCC report has already made it crystal clear that we are way off track.

This is a moment of clarity that we must face with total honesty.

We are already seeing the impacts, from rising sea levels to failed harvests… to food, water, and energy in-security.

Everyone is affected and the most vulnerable communities, across the global south, who have done the least to cause climate change, are the most affected.

These are the facts.

The message is clear.

Our respective responsibilities are clear.

And it is time for us to come to terms with some realities.

We have no choice but to unite and seize the moment of the Global Stocktake to put the world on the right track to meet the goals and ambitions of the Paris Agreement.

We must accelerate cross sectoral progress on mitigation.

We must ensure countries have the resources and plans in place to adapt to climate impacts.

And we must supercharge climate finance, making it more available, more accessible, and more affordable to drive delivery across every climate pillar.

While doing all of this, we need to ensure a just and equitable transition that leaves no one behind.

With your help, collaboration, and determination, COP28 needs to deliver an action plan that engages the public and private sector to achieve transformational results.

This will be underpinned by a robust negotiated response to the Global Stocktake.

We need equally strong outcomes across all other mandates. This includes the mitigation work program, the global goal on adaptation and doubling adaptation finance.

We also need strong outcomes on the just transition work program, The New Collective Quantified Finance Goal, and of course, the operationalization of the loss and damage fund and funding arrangements.

I have heard loud and clear that to deliver on all of this, we will have to address issues of trust.

Expectations are high. Trust is low.

Developing countries are still waiting for the 100 billion dollars promised by developed countries 14 years ago.

This is holding up progress, and as part of my outreach, I am requesting donor countries to provide a definitive assessment on the delivery of this commitment before COP28.

It is vital to the political credibility of the UNFCCC process, that donors step up to this long overdue obligation ahead of COP28… especially as the real value of this commitment has eroded over time.

On top of that, a strong replenishment of the Green Climate Fund this year, alongside enhanced support for the adaptation fund would send a signal of global solidarity.

Trust is also essential in the negotiations process.

As COP28 President, I will ensure a fair, inclusive, and transparent presidency that provides space for all parties to reach consensus across the whole agenda.

And here… let me assure you that under the Presidency’s leadership, the negotiations will give space for all parties to discuss, debate and agree on the role of all sources of energy.

And on that point let me say this, and let me be perfectly clear.

In a pragmatic, just and well managed energy transition, we must be laser focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions, while phasing up viable, affordable zero carbon alternatives.

This is the approach we’ve been taking in the UAE for over twenty years, where we have embraced the energy transition.

We know that the energies used today will continue to be part of the global energy mix for the foresee-able future.

As such, we will work with the world to decarbonize the current energy system while we build a new one, capable of transitioning even the most heavy-emitting industries.

Your Excellencies,

What happens inside the negotiations process is critically important.

But we need to match what is agreed in the negotiated text with concrete action in the real world.

And this means countries and cities, investors and industries and businesses of all sizes, all stepping up.

The Global Stocktake must deliver real economy outcomes.

At COP28, I expect ambitious, transparent, and accountable commitments from countries and businesses that will shape policies in parliaments and budgets in boardrooms.

We will accelerate delivery in sectors like renewables that must triple capacity by 2030 and double it again by 2040.

We will encourage smart government regulation to jump start the hydrogen value chain and make carbon capture commercially viable.

And the public, multilateral and private sectors must be mobilized in new and innovative ways on the critical issue of climate finance.

In my meetings with climate, finance, and development ministers across the global south, what I hear time and again is that climate finance is simply not available, not accessible and not affordable.

IFIs and MDBs are not keeping pace with the challenges of the 21st century.

Which is why we need tangible progress, this year, on reform that will unlock far more concessional finance, mitigate risk, and attract more private capital.

And governments who have made commitments to vulnerable and developing countries, must live up to those commitments.

The poorest nations make up over half of the world’s population, yet account for only 12% of global emissions, while 800 million people have no access to energy at all.

Behind these numbers are real people who want and deserve a better life for themselves and their families.

If the world does not come up with effective mechanisms to deliver climate finance to developing and emerging economies, they will have no choice but to choose a carbon intensive development path.

That is an outcome we want to avoid simply because it is in nobody’s interests.

Colleagues…COP28 must also provide tangible solutions to help people adapt to climate change and manage growing climate impacts.

That is why we will be the first COP to dedicate a day to health and the first to host a health and climate ministerial.

And we need to broaden our definition of adaptation to enable global climate resilience, transform food systems, and enhance forestry land use and water management.

COP28 will also be a space for innovative solutions for nature.

We must continue to safeguard natural carbon sinks like rainforests and mangroves, protect biodiversity and work closely with indigenous peoples to help preserve natural ecosystems.

Indigenous peoples represent 5% of the global population but protect 80% of the world’s biodiversity.

Their voices must be heard and their contribution to the climate challenge must be recognized.

Our high-level champion, Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak will focus special attention on putting people and nature at the center of climate progress.

In addition, this COP will put a special focus on empowering youth.

And as the first officially designated Youth Climate Champion, H. E. Shamma Al Mazrui will mobilize substantive policy and programmatic outcomes for young people.

Under her leadership, in collaboration with YOUNGO, we will ensure that youth, particularly from small island states and the least developed countries, participate meaningfully and effectively throughout the full COP cycle.

This is a feature that we hope will be incorporated into all future COPs. 4

Our International Youth Climate Delegate Program is the largest initiative to expand youth participation from under-represented countries in the climate process to date.

This is not a record we want to hold- it is a record we want to see broken.

Your Excellencies, colleagues, and friends, before I conclude, I just want to take a moment to recognize the people in this room, alongside the efforts of many outside this room.

Many of you have devoted your entire careers to public service and the cause of climate progress.

It has been a long and hard journey

At times, I have no doubt it has been frustrating. And I feel your frustration.

We also remember the breakthroughs.

We were there in Paris at COP21 when governments united in agreement.

We want COP28 UAE to be remembered for uniting everyone in action.

And this year, the year of the Global Stocktake, we have an unprecedented opportunity to turn policies into practical outcomes.

Let’s put an end to delays and start real delivery.

Let’s turn passion into pragmatic solutions.

Let’s end polarization and empower partnership.

There are moments in history when humanity comes together to fight a common threat.

And advancing humanity has always been one of the core principles of our leadership in the United Arab Emirates.

We have chosen to face global challenges head on, by adopting a positive mindset and working on solutions in the pursuit of progress with like-minded partners.

It is THIS mindset that we will bring as hosts of COP28.

We believe that game-changing solutions can be achieved if the collective political will is there....

It certainly is from the UAE.

Let’s unite in solidarity for the sake of humanity.

Let’s live up to the responsibility that we have been entrusted with.

And let us restore political credibility to the legal agreements that we have not yet fulfilled.

I am counting on your experience, your positivity, your energy, your ideas, and your continued commitment.

For my part, I commit to matching your effort and your dedication every step of the way.

Let’s work together to deliver an ambitious agenda and a practical and action-oriented GST for 2030.

Together, let’s deliver a COP of unity, solidarity and impact. A COP of Action and a COP for ALL.

And let’s unite a divided world for the planet, for our people and for lasting sustainable development.

The world demands transformational progress.

The world needs transformational action.

Thank You.