India is a crucial partner and need to be included in the COP28 solutions, according to HT interview

In an interview with HT, COP28 director-general Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi said that in a COP being held in the Global South for the Global South, mitigation of emissions, an outcome on adaptation, the operationalization of the Loss and Damage fund, and delivery of climate finance will get top priority. The UN Climate talks in Bonn (June 5–15) will set the agenda for UN Climate meeting (COP28) in Dubai in November.

 

What do you anticipate from COP28?Our leadership has been certain that we want a really ambitious COP rather than one that is gradual. The UAE is hosting this Conference of the Parties (COP) in the Global South for the Global South.

We must consider the challenging issues. We established the global stocktake during COP21 in Paris, with the intention of reflecting on where we were after the conference. Sadly, we are now aware that we are not on track to achieve the aims and goals of Paris. If we fail to accomplish the objectives Paris set out, we cannot argue that Paris was successful. We are concentrating on how to resume our original course in our COP. In order to reach the 1.5 degree Celsius target, we must meet our financial objectives. We are aware that climate change is a topic we have thoroughly examined using a scientific methodology. To diversify and lessen our reliance on oil and gas, we have been increasing renewable energy, moving our economy away from it, and investing in other businesses and sectors. We approached hosting COP from the perspective of a poor nation that wishes to contribute to the fight against climate change.

What deliverables and solutions are you bringing to COP28?Since it is the root of the issue, mitigation is the only real option for us. How we handle the worldwide emissions reduction of 43% required to achieve the Paris Agreement objective requires a serious discussion. This implies that we must have a direct dialogue with business, the private sector, the public sector, and civil society. We need solutions that enable us to produce results right away. We must restore people’s faith in the COP procedure.

Although mitigation will be important, we also need an adaptation result. It may also assist food systems and the agriculture industry. We must take significant action to aid disadvantaged populations in their adaptation. Our strategy’s third pillar focuses on loss and damage. We received a mandate from Sharm El Sheikh (COP27) to provide the operationalization of the Loss and Damage fund, which we believe is an essential component of the jigsaw if we are to safeguard the most vulnerable and impoverished people who are facing difficulties that they had nothing to do with. It’s an important deliverable.

In terms of climate money, COP28 can provide. While climate action has been discussed for a while, the necessary funding to make it a reality in the poor world has not yet materialised. We need to invest billions of dollars, not simply the unfulfilled promise of $100 billion. Multinational banks and other international financial institutions need change, and the private sector must follow those money flows.

What do you think about phasing out or reducing the use of fossil fuels?We must deal with the emissions that are occurring right now. No debates, technology, or solutions are off limits to us during COP28. In order to get us back on track, we are urging for actual solutions to be put forth. For this reason, we are urging that we concentrate on reducing emissions. Let’s avoid talking about ideologies. Let’s discuss some realistic actions that can be taken right now to accomplish our mitigation objectives. Let’s have that dialogue to close the emissions gap; we are open to any sort of negotiations. We are a COP whose focus is on providing solutions.

How are you going to bring up and deal with the problems of the Global South?In order to help people out of poverty, we must consider how the Global South can continue to grow healthily. Many nations are rightly focusing on that, but we also need to do it in a way that protects the environment, so we must talk about how to mobilise funds and investments in the Global South, how to aid the most vulnerable, and how growth can occur in a low-carbon manner. Support for the developed world is required in order to transfer capabilities and mobilise funding.

When it comes to tackling climate change, the UAE and India are allies. In what role will India play at COP28?One of our most crucial partners is India. Since the beginning of our nation, we have had a long tradition of collaboration. We are really proud of our partnership with India and seize any chance we have to collaborate with them. India is one of the nations we have been to the most, so we are certain that it will attend our COP and make a significant contribution. In India, there is a need for increased mitigation reduction; we need to see investments, action, and the deployment of renewable energy taking place. India needs to join us in the effort to find a solution. India is now accomplishing a lot, and there is a lot of promise.

Do you believe there is still a possibility to prevent global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels?We must strive to be as ambitious as we can. We need as many solutions as we can. We must retain the goal of the Paris Agreement and limit temperature rise as low as possible since even a minor increase in temperature is problematic. We must make sure that we stick to the 1.5°C target.

Do you believe wealthy nations will finally provide the $100 billion they pledged in 2009 this year?That this hasn’t already been given is unfortunate. In our conversations with our partners. They are assuring us that they are sure they can do this task. This is a little piece of a much larger puzzle. Actually, billions of dollars need to be delivered.

You mentioned a new, ambitious target for renewable energy, but there are also rumours that carbon capture and sequestration will dominate the COP discussion. How do they come together?As a target, we’ve been urging a doubling of renewable energy. We think that’s extremely important because we would also prefer to have a lot more challenging objective. We must begin constructing the infrastructure of the future so that we can quickly implement this energy shift. Results that are occurring right now are what we need. There have been a great deal of COPs that have discussed far future goals. But for now, the goal of COPs is to produce outcomes, and we are quite focused on that. That implies that we must use all available technology. Today, we have the technology for carbon capture and storage. In the UAE, we implement it to reduce emissions. We don’t limit the types of solutions since we think they are simply one tool among many that may be utilised to control pollution. We are making every effort to be as inclusive as we can. Anyone with solutions is welcome. We often discuss natural solutions. Because mangroves trap four times as much carbon as rain forests, they are a crucial concern for us. That is a sizable mitigation strategy, but it also improves coastal adaptation, biodiversity, and many other things. UAE can contribute to that answer for us, but there may be alternative options for others. Let’s not rule out anyone’s potential solutions. Bring them all to the table and let’s look at how we can move them forward more quickly.

Do you believe that net zero objectives are realistic and useful?We are aware of the actions we can take to achieve net zero emissions. We need financial support as well as political will and certain technical breakthroughs. We must support it and increase prudence in every nation. We want COP28 to be a time of harmony.