United Arab Emirates: Sultan Al Jaber, the Emirati head of the UN climate conference COP28 and also the head of the UAE national oil company ADNOC, addressed concerns on Monday regarding a leaked video where he questioned climate science related to fossil fuels. The video, revealed by The Guardian, showcased a tense exchange between Jaber and former Irish president Mary Robinson during an online forum.

In response to the controversy, Jaber insisted on the COP28 presidency's commitment to climate science. He criticized what he referred to as "repeated attempts to undermine" the work of COP28, emphasizing that the conference's focus has been on scientific principles.

"We're here because we very much believe and respect the science," Jaber asserted in a statement to reporters. He acknowledged the necessity of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent by 2030 to achieve the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels.

The video had sparked criticism from non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Romain Ioualalen, global policy lead for Oil Change International, commented, "If the COP28 president is guided by science and 1.5C remains his north star, he must draw the right conclusions: nothing short of a full and rapid phase-out of fossil fuels will get us there."

Jaber clarified on Monday that he has consistently emphasized the inevitability of a "phase down and phase out" of fossil fuels. However, the negotiations at COP28 have become intricate as different stakeholders advocate for their priorities.

The first draft of a COP28 agreement included language on a "phasedown/out" of fossil fuels, but ongoing closed-door negotiations have introduced complexity. The COP28 presidency's website summarized discussions as focusing on "the phase down of fossil fuels," without explicitly mentioning a phase-out. This stands in contrast to calls from numerous heads of state, government officials, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for a more definitive commitment to a fossil fuel phase-out.

The role of fossil fuels in the agreement remains a critical point for the success of the UN talks, scheduled to conclude on December 12. The urgency of the talks has been heightened by data indicating that 2023 is on track to become the hottest year on record. Jaber urged patience, stating, "Please let's give the process the space it needs, and if anything, judge us on what we will deliver at the end of this COP."