COP28 President-designate Says Paris Agreement Goal of 1.5°C Is ‘Non-negotiable’

COP28 President-designate Says Paris Agreement Goal of 1.5°C Is ‘Non-negotiable’

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 UAE President-Designate, emphasized the need to mobilize resources and partnerships toward a bold and transformative approach to climate action.

His remarks came during the World Sustainable Development Summit hosted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi.

Al Jaber reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering commitment to the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius but stressed that progress was far from what was needed.

“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.”

Acknowledging the need to support those impacted by climate change, he also pointed to the need to boost support for adaptation, and to embrace nature-based solutions.

“On adaptation, COP28 must conclude the Global Goal on Adaptation, and finalize agreement around doubling adaptation finance. TERI has been at the forefront of pushing for this goal, which will help protect vulnerable communities across the Global South. Adaptation also means preserving ALL life on earth, protecting biodiversity, natural ecosystems, and endangered species. As a nation, and as the COP28 Presidency,