Cop28: ‘failure is not an option,’ says summit president

Sultan Al Jaber, president of Cop28, made a last-ditch call for all countries to come together this afternoon in Dubai, to find common ground amid deep disagreements over the future of climate action.

Everyone would be listened to, he said, emphasising as he has done from the start that this must be an inclusive process. “Everyone’s experience and national circumstances have merit and will be taken in consideration. We will not ignore anyone. As I’ve said many times, we will not neglect any issue, we will not neglect or undermine or underestimate any of the views or the national circumstances of any region or any country. And I promise that they will all be heard,” he said.

That chimes with what we have been hearing from developing countries at this Cop, who have praised the presidency for listening to them.

Many are still unhappy that adaptation, a key issue for them as they grapple with the disastrous impacts of the climate crisis, has not been given enough attention. They find the existing text on adaptation too weak.

The question of the phase out or phase down of fossil fuels is also still unresolved. Al Jaber called on countries to “switch gears” to find compromises.

He looked back to the “very successful” start of the talks, when an agreement on a fund for loss and damage in poor and vulnerable countries was reached on the first day. “I’ve called on everyone to maintain that spirit of positivity, openness, tolerance, acceptance, motivation, delivery, action. This is the same spirit we need to double down on at this point in time. And I want everyone to remember that we have a unique opportunity, it is our opportunity to deliver an outcome that is based on the science lead by the science and equipped by the science that keeps 1.5 within reach. And that will help transform economies for generations to come,” he said.

“The time has come for all parties to constructively engage, I want everyone to show flexibility,” he insisted.

This was the first Cop presidency to address fossil fuels, he reminded journalists at a brief media appearance outside the negotiating halls on Sunday afternoon, with the talks scheduled to end at 11am on Tuesday. The presidency has promised a new text on Monday morning, and is convening all parties ahead of that to hammer out a compromise on key issues such as the phase out or phase down of fossil fuels.

“None of this is a surprise,” he told journalists. ”This is exactly how this particular process works. Ultimately, it all boils down to the need for all parties to come to terms with the fact that we will deliver the highest ambition and to do that we need to be more flexible and we need to accept to compromise and that all parties should come to terms with these facts. I am confident we can work through these issues.”

But he also warned that though compromise would be necessary, it could not mean a watering down of ambition. “Failure, or lack of progress, or watering down ambition is not an option. I have clearly communicated many, many, many times in the past. And I did it yesterday, and I will do it again today. Failure is not an option. What we’re after is the common good. What we’re after, is in the best interest of everyone, everywhere. And what I’m going to stay laser focused on is the science and keeping 1.5C alive.”

And he looked forward to a deal, with an optimism that few previous Cop presidents have ever shown at this stage of proceedings. “I need everyone to do their part to get us to the finish line and celebrate the highest ever ambition.”