According to negotiators and officials at COP28 climate summit, Saudi Arabia, the top global oil exporter, is hindering the possibility of reaching an agreement at the UN climate summit in Dubai. The summit is currently discussing whether to advocate for the elimination of fossil fuels as a measure to combat climate change.
The Saudi delegation strongly opposes including any mention of fossil fuels in the deal and has also objected to a provision supported by many countries to increase renewable energy capacity by 2030.
According to interviews with twelve individuals who have participated in private negotiations, Saudi diplomats have been highly proficient in obstructing discussions and impeding progress.
The tactics mentioned involve
- using unfavorable terms in draft agreements,
- delaying support for countries affected by climate change,
- leaving a meeting abruptly, and
- avoiding negotiations with proponents of reducing fossil fuel usage.
The Saudi opposition is significant because UN rules require that any agreement forged at the climate summit be unanimously endorsed. Any one of the 198 participating nations can thwart a deal, meaning that any nation, including Saudi Arabia, has the power to prevent a deal from being reached.
Other countries, such as the United States, India, and China, are also expressing concerns about the global efforts to combat climate change. The United States wants to add conditions to the elimination of fossil fuels, while India and China are against singling out coal as the most harmful fossil fuel.
Iran and Russia have advocated for measures to safeguard natural gas. Several countries, including Iraq, have expressed apprehensions about the potential negative impact of phasing out oil and gas on economies reliant on fossil fuel revenue, and have requested increased financial assistance from wealthier nations.
Saudi Arabia has been the strongest opponent of any agreement regarding fossil fuels. Saudi Arabia is the most influential country within the Opec cartel. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister, said recently that his country would “absolutely not” support a deal that called for the phase-down or phase-out of fossil fuels.
Reference- Al Jazeera, COP28 website, National Geographic, Strait Times, CNN, Reuters