Civil Society Organizations, Environmentalists, and Human Rights Activists Challenge UAE's Sultan Al Jaber's Appointment as President of COP28

Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) has expressed disappointment that United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sultan Al Jaber, head of oil giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), will lead the 2023 Climate Change negotiations at COP28, writes Mphatso Mkumpha.

In a press conference, Executive Director of PACJA, Mithika Mwenda, noted that it is strange for a quasi-government executive to be appointed to lead such a crucial multilateral process, and marks the lowest moment for the UNFCCC.

Mwenda stated that it is hard to see Al-Jaber leading objective, science-backed negotiations in the interest of the most vulnerable and called for him to step aside.

Nicholas Abuya, Global Programme Advisor of Christian Aid also stated that a CEO of an oil company cannot preside over a process that is tasked to address the climate crisis with such a scale of conflict of interest.

Civil Society Organisations, environmentalists and human rights activists are also contesting the appointment.

The development has emerged following criticism that COP27, which was held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, failed to address the special needs of Africa in addressing climate change impacts.

Africa Civil Societies have been campaigning for "Don't Gas Africa," which aims to ensure that Africa is not locked into fossil fuels.

Augustine Njamnshi, Coordinator of the pro-renewable energy African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA) and Big Shift Campaign Africa, said that to keep alive hopes of a rapid transition from dirty energy, COP28 must decide to phase out at least coal and oil.

He also urged the African Group of Negotiators, the Vulnerable Countries Forum, and allies in both the Global South and North to stand up against this bad news in the year and say NO to the Emirates.

PACJA is a consortium of over 1000 Civil Society organizations, researchers, academics, and faith-based organizations, aiming to achieve climate justice in Africa.

Meanwhile, global scientists are calling for action against the eviction of the German village of Lϋtzerath to expand a lignite coal mine.