‘We respect the science’: COP28 UAE President Sultan Al Jaber hits back at critics

‘We respect the science’: COP28 UAE President Sultan Al Jaber hits back at critics

The COP28 UAE President Sultan Al Jaber hit back at claims, saying that he has and always “respected the science” regarding climate change and the “urgent need to get to net zero by 2050 and reduce global emissions by 43% by 2030.”

Al Jaber made the statement while addressing a news conference, which was held a day after British daily The Guardian ran a story quoting the COP28 President as refuting the science behind a phase out of fossil fuels, which is needed to restrict global heating to 1.5C.

“I have been crystal clear about this from the beginning, and we have been laser focused on achieving the goals we had set out with,” Al Jaber said. “I have been very clear about my job, that my North Star continues to be 1.5C and keeping it within reach. That will not change.

“I have said over and over, the phase down and phase out of fossil fuels is inevitable and essential. But it needs to be done in an orderly, fair, just, and responsible manner and it and needs to be well managed. I am quite surprised at the constant attempt to undermine this message.”

Al Jaber also said, COP28 was the first presidency