United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has reiterated his warnings to the world: if nothing is done, the world could “collapse.” COP28 takes place in the final stretch of 2023, which, according to scientists, could be the “warmest year” on record.
The United Nations climate summit has been marked by several controversial statements, particularly from its president. At a conference, reported on by The Guardian at the weekend, Al Jaber said there is “no science” to prove the benefits of fossil fuels. The president of COP28 is also the CEO of Abu Dhabi’s state oil company, which has sparked widespread criticism.
One of the latest drafts of the global climate agreement released this Tuesday includes several hypotheses: “The progressive elimination of fossil fuels” and, on the other hand, “no reference” to the objective set by the UN.
“The negotiations will certainly be difficult because COP decisions are made by consensus. We have here 197 countries, plus the European Union, that have to reach a decision unanimously. Therefore, [as negociações] are clearly difficult,” assumes the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate, in statements to TSF from Dubai.
Even so, given the difficulties in reaching an agreement, Ana Fontoura Gouveia guarantees “that she has a lot of confidence in the collective capacity” to try to reach an agreement. “Everywhere there is the idea that this is the critical moment for us to act. Of course, we may have some differences in the interpretation of what this means, but in fact, just yesterday, the president of the COP came to reinforce that “We have to reduce, we have to eliminate, he used this expression, fossil fuel emissions,” reveals the Government official, highlighting the “progress” achieved.
The holding of this summit, in the Middle East, a region where economies depend on income from oil, brought several criticisms to the discussion table. There were even those who spoke of “a paradox.” For Ana Fontoura Gouveia, this could be an opportunity. “The geography in which we find ourselves now, next to oil-producing countries, next to countries that have economies highly dependent on fossil fuels, is the ideal place, it is the ideal location, to achieve progress,” he argues, adding that “it will not be easy” but that it is essential to “maintain dialogue” with the countries most dependent on oil.
Portugal’s climate and conservation goals
Regarding climate action, Portugal has been ambitious in advancing the objectives. Asked if political instability could compromise the country’s climate objectives, Ana Fontoura Gouveia points out that the final version of the National Energy and Climate Plan will be completed in June next year, highlighting that despite the legislative measures of March, “there are a broad consensus on the opportunities” of the decarbonization process. Furthermore, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate believes that the objectives defined in the document, from investment in renewables and the anticipation of various objectives until 2045, are points “that any government will want to pursue.”
At COP28 there is also concern about increasing the protection and conservation of nature in all parts of the planet and, in particular, Portugal has a relevant role in ocean management. Ana Fontoura Gouveia recalls that the country “has been a leader in defending the role of the oceans in climate regulation.”
Source: TSF
