COP28 president sparks outcry after controversial fossil fuel comments

Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — COP28 President Sultan Al-Jaber is facing a backlash over his claim that there is “no science” behind calls for a phase out of fossil fuels — a demand that many believe will ultimately determine the success of the U.N. climate conference.

In comments first reported on Sunday by The Guardian and investigative journalism organization the Centre for Climate Reporting, COP28 president and United Arab Emirates climate chief Al-Jaber suggested a fossil fuel phase out would not allow sustainable development “unless you want to take the world back into caves.”

The remarks, which were made by Al-Jaber during a live online event on Nov. 21, have been described by scientists and advocates as “farcical,” “beyond astonishing” and verging on climate denial.

In a social media post, University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann accused Al-Jaber of “making a complete mockery” of the COP28 talks and urged U.N. chief Antonio Guterres to speak out on the issue.

Al-Jaber was seen as a controversial choice to lead COP28 discussions in Dubai given that he also works as the head of the state-run Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

A spokesperson for COP28 told CNBC that the story regarding Al-Jaber’s comments was “just another attempt to undermine the Presidency’s agenda, which has been clear and transparent and backed by tangible achievements by the COP President and his team.”

They said Al-Jaber has been “unwavering” in saying that keeping global warming to 1.5°C involves action across a number of areas and sectors. “The COP President is clear that phasing down and out of fossil fuels is inevitable and that we must keep 1.5°C within reach. We are not sure what this story was supposedly revealing. Nothing in it is new or breaking news.”