Right up to the final hours of #COP27, the Arab Group of delegations has maintained its historical pattern of blocking ambitious outcomes – most notably on matters relating to emissions reduction and energy transition. With a summit on their home turf, the Arab delegations have so far missed a great opportunity to drive climate negotiations in a way that would have massively benefited their citizens.
Fatima-Zahrae Tarib, Youth Climate Advocate from Morocco, said:
“We the Arab youth are dissatisfied with the Arab Group’s role in the negotiations – but it is not too late, we are entering crunch time and that is why we are pushing now. Our presence here must not be wasted, our participation must be impactful. We are a region rich in natural resources, such as wind and sunshine, let us take advantage of that fact.
“It is ironic that the country chairing the Arab Group – which is one of the most prolific fossil fuel producers in the world, touts its economy as an excuse to continue production. This hypocrisy must stop! Climate justice is no dream, we must act like our future – my future – depends upon it. Because it does!”
Hajar Al-Beltaji, Youth Delegate from Egypt, said:
“The Middle East and North Africa region is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world. We are facing drought, desertification, flooding and other catastrophic events, our food and water security is virtually decimated and is only expected to get worse in the future.
“We are your sons and daughters, and this is our future as well. We ask you to make room for our youth’s creative ideas, ardent abilities, and endless efforts which have proven trustworthy and capable of building and achieving what is best for their future and the future of subsequent generations.”
Arab petrostates have lurked in the shadows of climate talks while enabling a blatant take-over of the summit by the fossil fuel industry. Some Arab delegations have played a major role in this hijacking,
with a vast number of fossil fuel lobbyists among their ranks.
Ahmed El Droubi, Regional Campaign Manager for Greenpeace MENA, said: “Despite widespread hopes that COP27 would spotlight climate-vulnerable communities, the people on the frontline of the climate emergency have been drowned out by the voices of the lobbyists.
“The summit was dubbed the Africa COP, and while the Arab Group did express its support for developing countries’ key climate justice demand for a Loss and Damage fund, the group should have been leading the charge. The Arab Group’s current fossil fuel safeguarding strategy does not reflect the vulnerability of the region and will just add to the problem. Loss and damage will only worsen unless climate mitigation is increased – and that requires a phaseout of coal, oil and gas.”
The Arab group has pushed for lower reporting standards and less transparency and spent most of its energy spearheading efforts to jeopardise any progress on mitigation. It strongly opposed the affirmation of 1.5°C as the temperature limit – despite the adverse impacts on the region, and displayed fierce opposition for fossil fuel related language in the cover decision.
Ahmed El Droubi continued: “Instead of focusing on phasing out all fossil fuels, major Arab petrostates are betting on unproven technologies such as carbon capture and storage which are a dangerous distraction from real climate action. This approach serves the interests of wealthy petrostates over their poorer climate-vulnerable neighbours. A lack of mitigation ambition ultimately means more devastating climate impact for the region’s population.
“Looking ahead to next year, the UAE – as the COP28 host – will need to act in the global interest by sending a strong message that the Dubai summit will not be turned into another greenwashing event for the oil and gas industry or else COP28 will fail before it even starts.”
MENA countries, especially those with stronger economies and higher emissions such as the UAE, need to raise the ambition of their commitments. They need to submit ambitious NDCs with fossil fuel phase out commitments, and emissions reductions aligned with the Paris Agreement 1.5°C warming. They have the means and the moral responsibility to do so.
A full recording of the press conference is available on the UNFCCC website through this link.