COP28: Christiana Figueres despairs of the fossil fuel industry

Former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres expresses her disappointment with the fossil fuel industry on the eve of COP28.

Share:

Figueres COP28 Industrie Fossile

The fight against global warming reaches a decisive turning point with the opening of COP28 in Dubai. Christiana Figueres, an influential voice in climate negotiations and key player in the 2015 Paris Agreement, shares her perspectives and disappointments regarding the role of fossil industries in this fight.

Perspective evolution

Long an advocate of including the coal, oil and gas industries in climate negotiations, Figueres marks a significant U-turn. She deplores the use of windfall profits from the fossil fuel industries for dividends and lobbying, instead of investing in renewable energies. This change in attitude reflects a growing disillusionment with these industries’ approach to climate change.

Fossil Transparency and Influence

Figueres also raises concerns about the transparency and influence of the fossil fuel industries on COP28, especially with Sultan Al Jaber, both COP president and head of a major oil and gas company. These potential conflicts of interest call into question the integrity of the climate negotiations.

Reactions to the BBC’s allegations

Reacting to BBC reports on the alleged use of COP28 by the United Arab Emirates to promote oil deals, Figueres expresses her concern. These actions, if confirmed, could constitute a major breach of the COP Presidency’s responsibilities.

Dynamics of Climate Negotiations

Despite these challenges, Figueres finds optimism in the rise of renewable energies and electric vehicles. It does, however, underline the urgency of the climate situation, with the world dangerously close to the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris agreements.
The former UN official insists on the need to step up climate action and criticizes fossil fuel subsidies. It calls for a drastic reduction in emissions by 2030, and warns of the disastrous consequences of failing to meet this target.

Against a backdrop of crucial negotiations, Christiana Figueres highlights the issues and disappointments surrounding the role of fossil fuel industries in the fight against climate change. His message is a call for stronger, more coherent action to protect our planet.

Several international agencies have echoed warnings by Teresa Ribera, Vice-President of the European Commission, about commercial risks related to Chinese competition, emphasizing the EU's refusal to engage in a price war.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development lends €400 million to JSC Energocom to diversify Moldova's gas and electricity supply, historically dependent on Russian imports via Ukraine.
BRICS adopt a joint financial framework aimed at supporting emerging economies while criticizing European carbon border tax mechanisms, deemed discriminatory and risky for their strategic trade relations.
The European Commission is launching an alliance with member states and industrial players to secure the supply of critical chemicals, amid growing competition from the United States and China.
Trade between Russia and Saudi Arabia grew by over 60% in 2024 to surpass USD 3.8 billion, according to Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, who outlined new avenues for industrial cooperation.
Meeting in Rio, BRICS nations urge global energy market stability, openly condemning Western sanctions and tariff mechanisms in a tense economic and geopolitical context.
Despite strong ties, Iran's dependence on oil revenues limits its ability to secure substantial strategic support from Russia and China amid current international and regional crises, according to several experts.
Egypt’s Electricity Minister engages in new talks with Envision Group, Windey, LONGi, China Energy, PowerChina, and ToNGWEI to boost local industry and attract investments in renewable energy.
The potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz places Gulf producers under intense pressure, highlighting their diplomatic and logistical limitations as a blockage threatens 20 million daily barrels of hydrocarbons destined for global markets.
Budapest and Bratislava jointly reject the European Commission's proposal to ban Russian energy supplies, highlighting significant economic risks and a direct threat to their energy security, days ahead of a key meeting.
Libya officially contests Greece's allocation of offshore oil permits, exacerbating regional tensions over disputed maritime areas south of Crete, rich in hydrocarbons and contested by several Mediterranean states.
Hungary, supported by Slovakia, strongly expresses opposition to the European Commission's plan to phase out imports of Russian energy resources, citing major economic and energy impacts for Central Europe.
Israeli military strikes on Iran's Natanz nuclear site destroyed critical electrical infrastructure but did not reach strategic underground facilities, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The French president travels to Nuuk on 15 June to support Greenlandic sovereignty, review energy projects and respond to recent US pressure, according to the Élysée.
Kazakhstan has selected Rosatom and China National Nuclear Corporation to build two nuclear power plants totaling 2.4 GW, a decision following a favorable referendum and coinciding with Xi Jinping’s upcoming strategic visit.
Israeli strikes against Iranian nuclear sites disrupt US-Iranian talks on the nuclear deal. Tehran now considers canceling the upcoming negotiation round in Oman, heightening regional economic concerns.
Facing alarming breaches of uranium enrichment thresholds by Iran and explicit existential threats, Israel launches targeted military strikes against Iranian nuclear infrastructure, escalating regional tensions dramatically.
The Kremlin has confirmed that Vladimir Putin aims to help resolve the nuclear dispute between the United States and Iran, leveraging strengthened strategic ties with Tehran.
President Lee Jae-myung adopts an energy diplomacy rooted in national interest, amid a complex international landscape of rivalries that could create challenging situations for the country and its energy businesses.
Paris and Warsaw held a bilateral workshop in Warsaw to strengthen coordination on electricity infrastructure investments and supply security under the Nancy Treaty.