BERLIN (AP) — The head of this year’s United Nations climate talks on Thursday called on governments and businesses to tackle global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions across all regions and sectors. if they want to prevent the planet from exceeding an agreed key temperature limit. over seven years ago.
Sultan al-Jaber of the United Arab Emirates, who also heads one of the country’s state oil companies, told senior officials from Europe, Canada and China meeting in Brussels that the record heat seen recently in some parts of the world shows the need for urgent action to reduce emissions.
Outlining his strategy for the upcoming COP28 global climate negotiations in Dubai this fall, al-Jaber said leaders “need to be brutally honest” about what has caused the sharp rise in temperatures since pre-industrial times and how. prevent them from climbing further.
While many fossil fuel companies have pledged to reduce direct and indirect emissions from their operations – known as Scope 1 and 2 – many have refused to take responsibility for Scope 3 emissions resulting from sources that they do not own or control, such as the consumers using their gas. The latter account for the majority of emissions, and effectively reducing them means reducing the demand for fossil fuels.
“We must attack all emissions, everywhere. One, two and three,” al-Jaber said, adding that he planned to bring together governments, major energy producers and high-emitting industries to come up with a practical plan. aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) in accordance with the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
Scientists say reaching this target requires halving global emissions by 2030 and current efforts are off track. Many have expressed skepticism that the technological solutions touted by the fossil fuel industry and some governments can provide the reductions needed to achieve this near-term goal.
Still, al-Jaber said the world must “use all available emission reduction tools, including nuclear, battery storage, and carbon capture and removal technologies, especially for the most challenging sectors.” To reduce”.
He also called for a big increase in renewable energy production and funds to help developing countries move away from dirty fuels and deal with the impacts of climate change.