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Context

Remarks of Sultan Al Jaber at COP 28:

• Oil, gas, coal, and their derivatives account for at least 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, COPs over the years have not even acknowledged the role of fossil fuels in global warming.

Fossil Fuel Debate

• Fossil fuels — oil, gas, coal and their derivatives — account for at least 80 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions.
• There is no way that emissions can be reduced without substantially cutting down the use of these fuels.
• But that is exactly what influential countries have been attempting to do in the climate negotiations — aiming to cut emissions without touching its source.
• Efforts to cut emissions have so far been focused mainly on reducing the relative consumption of energy or on improving energy efficiencies. And global production of fossil fuels continues to rise.
• None of the climate targets have ever been achieved. And the current targets too seem way beyond reach right now.
• According to the latest projections, all the current climate actions being taken by countries are estimated to bring down annual emissions by just 2 per cent from 2019 levels by 2030 — science says this figure must be at least 43 percent if any hope of keeping global temperature rise to within 1.5 degree Celsius from pre-industrial averages is to be entertained.
• Installation of renewable energy sources like solar or wind, which do not have emissions, are now outpacing new fossil fuel projects, but most of these are meant to cater to increased demand.
• The replacement of fossil fuel capacity with renewable energy is not happening at a fast enough pace.

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