In a surprising turn of events at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, all 196 countries reached a historic accord to shift away from the fossil-fuel era. The summit, held in a region traditionally associated with oil production, faced opposition from OPEC, adding complexity to the negotiations. Sources reveal that deft maneuvering by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), host of COP28, and behind-the-scenes diplomacy from the United States and China played pivotal roles in securing the agreement.
The UAE’s presidency employed a strategic approach during the two-week summit, issuing intentionally provocative drafts to elicit negotiators’ positions and facilitate common ground. The alliance between the world’s major climate polluters, the United States and China, played a crucial role. Leveraging a two-decades-old personal relationship, their envoys found the right words to describe the global shift away from oil, gas, and coal, ultimately persuading OPEC leaders to join the consensus.
After moments of near-crisis and overtime negotiations, the final accord emerged, marking the first time in history that all countries expressed a unified desire to end the oil age. The agreement calls for a “transitioning” away from fossil fuels. In a nod to oil producers, including OPEC members, an option for mitigating the climate impact of existing oil, gas, and coal using technologies like carbon capture and sequestration was included.
While US Special Climate Envoy John Kerry hailed the deal as a victory for multilateralism, some delegates, including the Alliance of Small Island States, expressed concerns about loopholes allowing continued fossil-fuel use. Despite these reservations, the accord was not obstructed.
The host, Sultan Al Jaber, who also heads the UAE’s state oil company ADNOC, faced initial skepticism from environmental activists. However, he strategically used the conference platform to highlight international initiatives for renewable energy and prior US-China cooperation, creating a narrative that aligned with global climate goals.
The negotiation process faced challenges, particularly with the term “phase out,” which had become politically charged. Diplomatic sources reveal that US and Chinese envoys considered alternative wording that essentially conveyed the same message. The final inclusion of carbon capture in the accord appeared to be a concession to OPEC, particularly Saudi Arabia, which advocated for emissions reduction without targeting specific fuels.
As the conference faced looming uncertainties and entrenched positions, last-minute diplomacy and constructive roles played by key players ensured the COP28 deal’s success. The accord represents a significant milestone in the global commitment to combat climate change and shift towards cleaner energy sources.*
by Reuters,
