Tag: climate

COP28 president denies UAE using UN climate talks to seek oil deals | Climate News

An investigation finds the Emirati president of the talks, who is also an oil executive, is using his role to push fossil fuel deals.

The Emirati president of the United Nations climate conference in Dubai has denied reports that he has used his role at the negotiations to pursue fossil fuel deals.

A day before the talks are due to begin on Thursday, Sultan al-Jaber, who also is the CEO of the state-run Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (Adnoc), rejected allegations made in a joint investigation by the Centre for Climate Reporting (CCR) and the BBC.

“These allegations are false, not true, incorrect and not accurate,” Jaber told reporters on Wednesday ahead of the talks, which will draw world leaders and tens of thousands of delegates to Dubai over the next two weeks.

“It’s an attempt to undermine the work of the COP28 presidency. Let me ask you a question: Do you think the UAE or myself will need the COP or the COP presidency to go and establish business deals or commercial relationships?”

Leaked documents show that al-Jaber planned to discuss fossil fuel deals in bilateral meetings at the climate summit, the CCR said.

According to the non-profit investigative journalism group, the documents include more than 150 pages of briefings prepared by COP28 staff from July to October and obtained by the CCR and the BBC from an anonymous whistle-blower.

The documents indicate Jaber planned to discuss commercial interests with almost 30 countries, according to CCR.

The briefing notes, detailed in reports published on Monday, signalled Adnoc’s willingness to work with countries including China, Germany and Egypt to develop oil and gas projects.

The CCR said that alongside the briefings, it has also seen emails and meeting records “which raise serious questions about the COP28 team’s independence from Adnoc”.

“Please, for once, respect who we are, respect what we have achieved over the years and respect the fact that we have been clear, open and clean and honest and transparent on how we want to conduct this COP process,” al-Jaber said.

Contested presidency

Former United States Vice President Al Gore, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for campaigning for climate action, said the allegations “have confirmed some of the worst fears” around al-Jaber while former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres said the COP28 host had been caught “red-handed”.

“The global community’s gaze is fixed upon these leaders, expecting them to embody the very essence of integrity, untainted by bias and national or personal gain,” said Tasneem Essop, executive director of Climate Action Network International.

“Any deviation from this path represents a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the world and a failure in their duty to future generations,” she wrote on X.

Al-Jaber, a 50-year-old longtime climate envoy, is a trusted confidant of the leader of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He’s been behind tens of billions of dollars spent or pledged towards renewable energy in the UAE.

He has weathered other controversies over alleged conflict of interest since being appointed COP28 president this year, including calls from US and European lawmakers for his replacement.

Supporters, including US climate envoy John Kerry, said al-Jaber is uniquely positioned to broker compromise at the COP28 talks, where world leaders will be confronted by their lack of progress in curbing global warming in a record-breaking hot year.

Reining in the use of fossil fuels and carbon emissions are expected to top the agenda of the 13-day summit, which runs from Thursday until December 12. International funding to help countries adapt to climate change will also be hotly debated as developing countries have been demanding more contributions from industrialised nations.

An ambitious loss and damages fund agreed last year to support poorer nations to help manage the negative effects of climate change is also going to be one of the main issues covered in the negotiations. World leaders agreed to the fund at COP27 last year, but they have failed to reach consensus on the most important questions of all – which states will pay into it and how much.

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A Crude Mistake? | Al Jazeera

People & Power investigates what major new oil projects in Uganda mean for the country, its people and the environment.

In this documentary, People & Power investigates what major new oil projects in Uganda mean for the country, its people and the environment.

As nations gather for COP28, one issue is expected to expose deep divisions between the Global North – largely responsible for the ravages of global warming – and the aspirations of developing countries in the South, who must deal with the consequences.

Can COP28 agree on a funding package to allow the South to both mitigate the damage and develop sustainably? And what could it mean for a country like Uganda, which is banking on major oil projects to create growth and prosperity, while facing criticism over the impact on the environment and human rights? Despite protests, drilling has commenced on two huge new oil fields on the banks of Lake Albert.

In 2023, final approval was granted for the construction of what will be the longest heated oil pipeline in the world, the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline. But will the people of Uganda gain any benefit from the controversial exploitation of their oil – and can any such profits be seen to balance out the environmental damage to the country?

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NYC public advocate says Mets should rename Citi Field

City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams has joined climate advocates in pushing to change the name of the Mets’ Citi Field, claiming its namesake Citibank invests too heavily in the fossil-fuel industry.

The bank, which Williams’ office said is the second-largest fossil-fuel financier in the US, has shelled out big bucks to land the naming rights to the ballfield in Queens starting around 2009.

Williams, other Mets fans and a variety of climate activists are set to hold a press conference Tuesday at noon in City Hall Park to protest what they call the team’s “toxic contract” with the bank — a 20-year deal estimated to cost Citbank about $400 million, or $20 million annually. The opponents say they plan to launch a petition demanding team owner Steve Cohen end the relationship.

“The Public Advocate and fans will cite the bank’s role in financing polluters and profiting from climate chaos,” said a statement from Williams’ office.


Jumaane Williams will call for the Mets to abandon their contract with Citibank, which has naming rights to their field.
William Farrington

The bank invested $285 billion in fossil fuels between 2016 and 2021 and is the biggest coal funder outside China and also the largest investor in fossil-fuel projects in the Amazon rainforest, according to Williams’ office.

The bank defended itself in an e-mailed statement, insisting that Citi recognizes the importance of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

The bank added it is investing in clean-energy solutions and working with its clients — including fossil-fuel companies — “to support their efforts to decarbonize their businesses.

“Our approach reflects the need to transition while also continuing to meet global energy needs,” the statement said. “We look forward to continuing the strong relationship we have with the Mets and Citi Field.”

Representatives for the Mets did not respond to Post inquiries Monday.


Climate advocates and Mets fans will join the protest Tuesday afternoon.
Getty Images

Williams’ office called for Mets owner Steve Cohen to end his “toxic contract” with the bank.
Getty Images

Citibank has naming rights until 2028, Williams’ office said.
Neil Miller

Among the climate advocates joining the protest will be Climate Organizing Hub, Climate Families NYC, New York Communities for Change and Sunrise Movement NYC, Williams’ statement said.

“New Yorkers know firsthand the impacts of climate change, from Superstorm Sandy to Hurricane Ian,” the statement said.

“New Yorkers, many of them Mets fans, are facing the brunt of climate chaos that is being financed by banks like Citi. Forty three New Yorkers died during superstorm Sandy alone, and many continue to be vulnerable to climate change.”

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Letters to the Editor — Jan. 4, 2023

The Issue: Ronald S. Lauder’s piece on the normalization of anti-Semitism on college campuses.

The Ivy League should be renamed the “Poison Ivy League” (“Ivy Fear & Loathing,” Ronald Lauder, PostOpinion, Jan. 2).

Few can any longer question that the ever-increasing hatred of Jews on college campuses is being directed at all Jews, irrespective of outward appearance or degree of religious observance. Just being a Jew is all it takes.

The lack of public outrage and the complete ineptitude displayed by both political and university leaders to stem this flood of hatred should serve as a reminder that we have only ourselves to rely upon.

When Nazi Germany made good on its threats to destroy the Jewish people, the world remained silent. Campus leaders have chosen to remain mum as Jew-hatred flows unchecked within the confines of their hallowed institutions.

S.P. Hersh

Lawrence

Lauder’s condemnation of anti-Semitism, which has become a widespread hatred in our universities, is an Émile Zola-like accusation.

Sadly, we need more than accusation. We need to identify and stamp out the root causes, one of which is the hiring and promotion of left-wing teachers who offer woke ideas that condemn merit and any traditional view of history as evil. Our universities are sorely damaged.

Leonard Toboroff

Manhattan

Does the ugly rise of Jew-hatred on campus reflect the alarming change in our society from one that allows freedom of speech to one ruled by woke values? Or are these incidents the result of ignorance of the Holocaust?

Condemning Jews has become acceptable, but do not criticize Palestinian student organizations. Otherwise, you are Islamophobic.

We erase history in our woke society by tearing down statues and indoctrinating students with activist values. Thought control reigns. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

A.J. Linn

Manhattan

As a Jew, I am so sick and tired of reading about and occasionally dealing with the rise of anti-Semitism. If black, gay or Asian people (or any number of other groups) were treated the same, it would be a bigger news story.

I have a solution. It is time for all Jewish charitable organizations to divest themselves from institutions that fail to protect Jews. Let them find other financial suckers.

The generation raised by Holocaust and Russian pogrom survivors knows how to fight back. Please don’t unleash that side of us.

Lee Fleischman

Stamford, Conn.

The Issue: A plan passed by a state panel requiring a 40% cut in emissions over 1990 levels by 2030.

The same crew of detached, clueless partisan ideologues masquerading as legislators who gave us the deadly no-bail law now wants to force an equally delusional set of “climate” policies down New Yorkers’ throats (“NY’s Green-Agenda Pain,” Editorial, Jan. 1).

As disastrous as bail reform has been, this reckless attempt at “climate reform” has the potential to be far worse. More of our neighbors, now fearing power outages, will join the hundreds of thousands who have already bolted the state.

Jim Soviero

E. Setauket

If allowed to move forward, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act will be an economic declaration of war on New Yorkers by their government.

The act will stifle business, impoverish New Yorkers and litter the pristine upstate landscape with wind turbines and solar farms. New Yorkers will become economic victims under the thumb of an ever-increasing behemoth of government.

William Millward

Hobart

Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@nypost.com. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy and style.

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Top 10 Current Global Issues

With numerous current global problems that need immediate attention, it’s easy to urge pessimistic. However, the quantity of progress that organizations have made in combating these problems is admirable, and therefore the world will still improve within the years to return . By staying active in current events, and standing up for the health and safety of all humans, most are ready to make a difference in changing the fate of our world.

1.Climate Change.

The global temperatures are rising, and are estimated to extend from 2.6 degrees Celsius to 4.8 degrees Celsius by 2100. This would cause more severe weather, crises with food and resources and therefore the spread of diseases. The reduction of greenhouse emissions and therefore the spreading of education on the importance of going green can help make an enormous difference. Lobbying governments and discussing policies to scale back carbon emissions and inspiring reforestation is an efficient way of creating progress with global climate change .

2.Pollution.

Pollution is one among the foremost difficult global issues to combat, because the umbrella term refers to ocean litter, insecticides and fertilizers, air, light and sound pollution . Clean water is important for humans and animals, but quite one billion people don’t have access to wash water thanks to pollution from toxic substances, sewage or industrial waste. It is of the utmost importance that folks everywhere the planet begin working to attenuate the varied sorts of pollution, so as to raised the health of the planet and all those living on it.

3.Violence.

Violence are often found within the social, cultural and economic aspects of the planet . Whether it’s conflict that has broken call at a city, hatred targeted at a particular group of individuals or harassment occurring on the road , violence may be a preventable problem that has been a problem for extended than necessary. With continued work on behalf of the governments of all nations, also because the individual citizens, the difficulty are often addressed and reduced.

4.Security and Well Being.

The U.N. is a perfect example of preventing the shortage of security and well being that may be a serious global issue. Through its efforts with local organizations and members that are skilled in security, the U.N. is working toward increasing the well being of individuals throughout the planet .

5.Lack of Education.

More than 72 million children throughout the world that are of the age to be in primary education aren’t enrolled in class . This can be attributed to inequality and marginalization also as poverty. Fortunately, there are many organizations that employment directly with the difficulty of education in providing the right tools and resources to assist schools.

6.Unemployment.

Without the specified education and skills for employment, more people, particularly 15 to 24 year olds, struggle to hunt out jobs and make an accurate living for themselves and their families. This results in a scarcity of necessary resources, like enough food, clothing, transportation and proper living conditions. Favorably, there are more institutions throughout the country teaching people in need of the skills for jobs and interviewing, helping to lift people from the vicious circle of poverty.

7.Government Corruption.

Corruption may be a major explanation for poverty considering how it affects the poor the foremost , eroding political and economic development, democracy and more. Corruption are often detrimental to the security and well being of citizens living within the corrupted vicinity, and may cause a rise in violence and physical threats without as much regulation in the government.

8. Malnourishment & Hunger.


Currently there are 795 million people that don’t have enough to eat. Long term success to ending world hunger starts with ending world poverty. With fighting poverty through proper training for employment, education and therefore the teaching of cooking and gardening skills, people that are suffering are going to be more likely to urge jobs, earn enough money to shop for food and even find out how to form their own food to save lots of money.

9. Substance Abuse.

The United Nations reports that, by the start of the 21st century, an estimated 185 million people over the age of 15 were consuming drugs globally. The drugs most ordinarily used are marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, amphetamine stimulants, opiates and volatile solvents. Different classes of individuals , both poor and rich, partake in drug abuse , and it’s a persistent issue throughout the planet . Petitions and projects are ongoing to finish the worldwide issue of drug abuse .

10. Terrorism.

Terrorism is a problem throughout the planet that causes fear and insecurity, violence and death. Across the world , terrorists attack innocent people, often all of sudden . This makes civilians feel helpless and unprotected in their everyday lives. Making national security a better priority is vital in combating terrorism, also as promoting justice in wrongdoings for instance the enforcement of the law and therefore the serious punishments for terror crimes.




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