U.N. climate summit kicks off in Dubai amid controversy, global emissions setting records
Leaders from nearly every country across the planet gathered in Dubai Thursday to discuss solutions to global warming at the United Nations' annual climate summit, COP28.
Many have criticized United Arab Emirates as the host because it's a major fossil fuel producer and the summit's president, Sultan Al-Jaber, is the CEO of its state-run oil company.
Al-Jaber is denying allegations he intended to use the position to make sideline oil and gas deals after the Centre for Climate Reporting leaked what appear to be briefing papers with oil pitches for the UAE.
In today’s opening address, Al-Jaber made an unusual case that fossil fuel companies can “lead the way” in the world's clean energy transition, while others “follow and catch up.”
The comments have drawn criticism as climate records continue to be shattered.
The World Meterological Organization said Thursday that this year is “virtually certain” to be the hottest year in recorded history. The past nine years have been the warmest nine in 174 years of recorded scientific observations, with the previous single-year records set in 2020 and 2016.
Robyn Camp is the director of Energy and Climate at RTI International, a Triangle non-profit research institute, who is part of RTI's delegation in Dubai.
"Every year, we're passing and breaking records... and that's not going to change, so we cannot keep doing things the way we've always done them," Camp said. "We have got to do the right thing."
Camp says the delegation will share research and insights at the summit, reiterating the need to decarbonize energy and transportation sectors.
Though there seems to be a consensus among scientists that it’s vital to curb the pollution that’s dangerously heating the globe, emissions are reaching record highs.
Some of the poorest countries tend to be the hardest-hit by the consequences of climate change, but nations took steps early in the summit Thursday to reduce those inequities by approving a "loss and damage" fund to support vulnerable communities facing climate emergencies.
"The scale of the crisis is simply too large for one government to finance alone," said John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate during the opening press conference.
Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to attend the summit, after backlash from the news that President Biden would be skipping the event.
The climate talks will continue through December 12th, with a day devoted to understanding and addressing the health implications of climate change for the first time.
"I think it's been an under appreciated part of the conversation," Camp said. "It's heat, it's air quality, it's drought, and recognizing that all of these have impacts on our health."
RTI will be holding an event at the summit to bring together researchers and policymakers to talk about incorporating climate as a factor in decisions, planning, funding and research for global health.
