The Cop28 president, Sultan Al Jaber, held a surprise press conference at which he said comments he made about the phasing out of fossil fuels were 'misrepresented'. The Guardian reported how Jaber had remarked that there was 'no scientific evidence' indicating a phase-out of fossil fuels was needed to restrict global heating to 1.5C. Jaber, who is CEO of the UAE's state oil company Adnoc, defended the comments he made during a virtual meeting on 21 November with the former Irish president and UN climate envoy Mary Robinson. Jaber said: 'Let’s just clarify where I stand on the science … I honestly think there is some confusion out there and misrepresentation'
Cop28 live – latest updates
Cop28 president forced into defence of fossil fuel phaseout claims
Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 12:16
12/04/2023 - 11:00
Co-leader of EU delegation at Cop28 says climate should be at centre of all financial and economic decisions
Cop28 live – latest updates
If fossil fuel companies are serious about tackling the climate crisis, they could contribute to funds for poor and vulnerable countries stricken by its effects, Spain’s environment minister has said.
Teresa Ribera, a co-leader of the EU delegation at the Cop28 UN climate summit in Dubai, said: “Private corporates should be stepping into a different development model in vulnerable countries. We went through some language on that that was broadly supported by all [EU] member states, which is: why not just start by an invitation to the oil and gas companies to dedicate part of the profits to invest in sustainable development of the most vulnerable countries. And that’s on a voluntary basis [at first], because why not?”
Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 09:00
‘The fact that we’re still having to attend meetings – four years down the track – is just a disgrace. It is so depressing,’ says one local
Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
Get our morning and afternoon news emails,free app or daily news podcast
At times, the stench has roused Nicole Power from her sleep. The St Albans resident likens it to the smell of burning chemicals.
“It get rights down in my throat,” she said.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup
Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 07:33
Sultan Al Jaber, who is state oil CEO, had said phase-out of fossil fuels would take world ‘back into caves’
Cop28 live – latest updates
The president of Cop28 has been forced into a fierce defence of his views on climate science, after the Guardian revealed his comment that there was “no science out there, or no scenario out there, that says that the phase-out of fossil fuel is what’s going to achieve 1.5C”.
Sultan Al Jaber, who is also the chief executive of the United Arab Emirates’ state oil company, Adnoc, said at a hastily arranged press conference at the summit in Dubai: “I respect the science in everything I do. I have repeatedly said that it is the science that has guided the principles or strategy as Cop28 president. We have always built everything, every step of the way, on the science, on the facts.”
Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 07:10
The Cop28 president, Sultan Al Jaber, held a press conference after the Guardian's report on his comments claiming 'there is no science out there, that says the phase-out of fossil fuels is what's going to achieve 1.5C'. Al Jaber, who is also the chief executive of the United Arab Emirates’ state oil company, Adnoc, said he had been misrepresented and gave an impassioned defence of his background and belief in science. He then went on to say 'the phase-down and the phase-out of fossil fuels, is essential' and accused those who reported his initial comments of 'undermining' his message
Cop28 live – latest updates
Cop28 president says there is ‘no science’ behind demands for phase-out of fossil fuels
Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 06:58
Liberty condemns ‘staggering and shocking’ statistic as anti-protest legislation is enacted
Police have made at least 630 arrests of peaceful protesters campaigning against new oil and gas production in the past month, as the authorities exploit new powers under the government’s anti-protest legislation.
The mass arrests of more than 470 people – some individuals were arrested more than once – was condemned by civil rights group Liberty as “staggering and shocking”.
Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 04:00
Exclusive: Labour leader tells Guardian at Cop28 that Britain is wanted back in ‘leading role’ as he accuses Sunak of retreating
The UK will come back strongly to the world stage to “lead from the front” in tackling the climate crisis under a Labour government, Keir Starmer has pledged, after meeting world leaders at the Cop28 summit in Dubai.
“There’s an overwhelming feeling here among world leaders that they want to see the UK back playing a leading role,” he told the Guardian at the UN climate talks. “That’s why our statement of intent that under a Labour government we will be back playing a leading role has been really well received.
Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 03:00
Consumers left angry and dismayed when they found out the truth about these terms, says Advertising Standards Authority study
Plastic bottles, takeaway cups and food packaging that could take an unlimited amount of time to break down are being advertised as “biodegradable”, with the advertising regulator calling for more clarity on such claims from businesses.
British consumers believe they are making green choices while disposing of waste when they are often not, according to a new report. The study, from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), based on extensive interviews with consumers, found widespread misunderstandings around common terms such as “biodegradable”, “compostable” and “recyclable”, leaving participants angry when they discovered what they meant.
Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 02:00
Dakar’s nine-mile-long Hann Bay used to be known as one of West Africa’s most beautiful, lined with traditional fishing villages, villas and tourist attractions. But for the last 20 years it has been at the centre of the city’s industrialisation, with 80% of the city’s industry nearby. Today it is one of Dakar’s most polluted areas, with canals spilling raw sewage and chemicals on to the beach and into the sea
Continue reading...
12/04/2023 - 02:00
Human Rights Watch says country’s air pollution is dangerously high but there is little public criticism
The United Arab Emirates’ vast fossil fuel production is contributing to dangerously high air pollution levels, creating health risks for its people and migrant workers in addition to heating the planet, according to a report by Human Rights Watch.
HRW analysis of data from 30 government ground monitoring stations in September 2023 found that average levels of PM2.5 (very small toxic particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and easily enter the bloodstream) were almost three times the daily recommended levels under the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines.
Continue reading...