John Kerry defends the UAE's hosting of COP28 by include oil-producing countries in UN environmental negotiations.

 

US climate envoy John Kerry has defended the United Arab Emirates (UAE) against criticism of its role as the host of this year's COP28 conference in Dubai. Speaking to the Financial Times, Kerry said that it was important to bring oil-producing nations into the UN environment talks and that the UAE presented an opportunity to have the COP conference hosted by a country that "understands the industry, understands the needs and what's doable and what's not, and helping to shape the response of the planet".

However, climate campaigners have been increasingly critical of the growing influence of the global fossil fuel industry on the annual UN climate conference. Last year's summit in Egypt ended in disappointment as fossil fuel-producing nations, including Saudi Arabia, blocked a push by others, notably the US and EU, to include a promise to phase down all fossil fuels in the final deal.

The decision to hold COP28 in Dubai, a country that relies heavily on oil and gas exports, has been met with concern by some environmental groups. The UAE is currently the world's eighth-largest producer of oil, and while it has pledged to invest in renewable energy and reduce its carbon footprint, its economy remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels.

Critics have argued that hosting COP28 in the UAE risks giving too much influence to the fossil fuel industry, which could undermine efforts to tackle climate change. However, Kerry defended the decision, saying that the UAE was an important partner in the fight against climate change and that it was unfair to criticize the country.

Kerry's comments come amid growing calls for countries to accelerate their efforts to tackle climate change ahead of the crucial COP26 conference, which is set to take place in Glasgow later this year. The conference is widely seen as a key opportunity for world leaders to agree on a coordinated response to the climate crisis and to work towards meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Despite the challenges facing the global community, Kerry remains optimistic about the future of the planet. "I am convinced that we have the ability to make the changes that we need to make to avoid the worst consequences of climate change," he said. "But it requires an all-out effort, it requires all hands on deck, and it requires a level of ambition that we have not seen before."

As the world looks ahead to COP28 and beyond, it is clear that the role of fossil fuel-producing nations will remain a key issue in the fight against climate change. While some may question the decision to host the conference in Dubai, it is clear that the involvement of countries like the UAE will be crucial in shaping the global response to the climate crisis.