The Spanish Minister for the Ecological Transition denounced this Saturday the “repugnant” position of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), after the organization called on member countries to “proactively reject” any agreement on fossil fuels in the COP28 climate negotiations.
“I find it quite repugnant that the OPEC countries are opposed to setting the bar where it should be” in climate matters, said Teresa Ribera, in Dubai, where the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28) is being held.
Spain currently holds the biannual presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Kuwait’s OPEC secretary general this week urged the organization’s 23 member and associate countries to “proactively reject” any deal targeting fossil fuels at the COP28 climate negotiations in Dubai, in a letter seen by the news agency. France-Presse (AFP) on Friday.
“The European Union will align with many others, a large majority of the parties at this conference, to ensure that we achieve a meaningful and productive outcome on the exit from fossil fuels and the energy transition, while guaranteeing access to energy for everyone,” Teresa Ribera told reporters.
COP28 is entering the final stretch, with ministers trying to overcome the deadlock in negotiations. At the center of these negotiations is the issue of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas), the main cause of global warming.
Canada’s Environment Minister, who plays a key role in the debates, said this Saturday that he was “pretty sure” that fossil fuels will be mentioned in the final text, in an interview with AFP.
Source: TSF
