COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber Declares 1.5°C Paris Agreement Goal ‘Non-Negotiable’
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the President-Designate of COP28 UAE, has underscored the urgent need for mobilizing resources and fostering partnerships to advance a transformative approach to climate action. His remarks came during the World Sustainable Development Summit, organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi.
Commitment to the Paris Agreement
In his address, Dr. Al Jaber reaffirmed the United Arab Emirates’ steadfast commitment to the Paris Agreement, specifically the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. He emphasized that while this goal is critical, current progress is insufficient. He stated, “Let me make one thing absolutely clear: the goal of keeping 1.5 alive is non-negotiable. It is also clear that business as usual won’t get us there. We need a paradigm shift in our approach to mitigation, adaptation, finance, and loss and damage.”
India’s Role in Global Sustainability
Dr. Al Jaber acknowledged India’s significant role on the global stage, particularly as it prepares to assume the G20 Presidency this year and is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy. He remarked, “India’s sustainable development is critical, not just for India, but for the whole world. India’s goal of adding 500GW of clean energy in the next seven years is a powerful statement of intent.” He also noted that the UAE, as one of the largest investors in renewable energy, is eager to explore partnership opportunities with India to support its low-carbon growth trajectory.
Priorities for Climate Action
During his speech, Dr. Al Jaber outlined key priorities for climate negotiations, focusing on both mitigation and adaptation strategies. He stressed the necessity of rapidly developing clean energy systems while simultaneously improving existing energy infrastructures. He called for tripling renewable energy capacity, doubling hydrogen production, expanding nuclear power, enhancing battery storage, scaling up carbon capture technologies, and improving overall energy efficiency. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that the energy transition is inclusive, particularly for the 800 million people in the Global South who currently lack access to energy.
Dr. Al Jaber also addressed the need for transforming food systems, which contribute to one-third of global emissions. He advocated for the adoption of agri-tech innovations to sustainably feed a growing population within a limited carbon budget and emphasized the importance of improving water access for safe drinking.
Financing Climate Initiatives
The COP28 President-Designate pointed out that achieving the necessary advancements in climate action will require accessible and affordable capital, stating that “trillions, not billions, are required.” He identified the reform of International Financial Institutions and Multilateral Development Banks as a crucial enabler for mobilizing concessional finance to unlock private sector investments. He stated, “Scaling and accelerating climate finance will be one of the key goals of the COP28 Presidency, and we will rally all relevant parties in an effort to get it done.”
Engaging Stakeholders for Action
Dr. Al Jaber emphasized the importance of engaging all stakeholders in the climate dialogue, ensuring that no one is left behind. He expressed his commitment to listening and consulting with a diverse range of groups, including civil society, Indigenous peoples, the private sector, governments, women, and youth. He stated, “Let’s unite everyone around a COP of action and a COP for all. Let’s remember that the world makes progress through partnership, not polarization.”
Following his address, Dr. Al Jaber was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award by Prateek Sharma, Vice Chancellor of TERI, recognizing his significant contributions to climate action. This award marked the first time it was presented, highlighting his achievements in the field.
Dr. Al Jaber has a longstanding relationship with TERI, having received an honorary doctorate from the institution’s founder, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, in 2010 while serving as CEO of Masdar.
Meetings with Global Leaders
In addition to his keynote address, Dr. Al Jaber held several meetings on the sidelines of the summit. He engaged with prominent figures such as Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs; Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President of Guyana; and Bhupender Yadav, India’s Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He also met with Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development at the Earth Institute, and Navdeep Suri, Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation.
Dr. Al Jaber also convened a roundtable discussion with various civil society representatives, including NGOs, multilateral development banks, and think tanks, to further explore collaborative efforts in climate action.
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Published on 2023-02-22 17:06:00 • By the Editorial Desk
