We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/ScriptCOP28 DAY 1
HEADLINE: COP28 Climate Summit: Disaster Fund Agreed, But Stark Divisions on Fossil Fuels
TEASER: Hydrocarbon-rich host UAE wants phase-down, not phase-out fossil fuels
PUBLISHED AT: 11/30/2023 at 2:41p
BYLINE: Henry Ridgwell
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: London
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Ridgwell
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, DLJ
VIDEO SOURCE (S): APTN, Reuters, AFP, Zoom
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB _X_ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:43
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO)
[[The COP28 climate summit is underway in Dubai, with divisions being exposed on day one over the planned phase-out of fossil fuels. Scientists say huge and immediate cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are needed – but the summit host, the United Arab Emirates, doesn’t want a complete ban on oil and gas, as Henry Ridgwell reports.]]
((NARRATOR))
Nearly two hundred countries are taking part in the two-week COP28 climate summit, which began Thursday in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates – a major exporter of oil and gas.
Scientists say delegates must agree on how to cut greenhouse gas emissions by forty-three per cent in just the next six years, if the world is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and avoid catastrophic climate change.
So, central to the talks is the major source of those emissions: the burning of fossil fuels.
COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber — also the head of the UAE state oil company — opened the meeting with his vision: not a phasing out of fossil fuels, but a phasing down.
((Sultan al-Jaber, President of COP28 (in English) ))
“We must look for ways and ensure the inclusion of the role of fossil fuels. I know there are strong views about the idea of including language on fossil fuels and renewables in the negotiated text. We collectively have the power to do something unprecedented, in fact, we have no choice but to go the very unconventional way. I ask you all to work together.”
((NARRATOR))
That speech prompted anger from environmental groups.
((FOR RADIO: Bill Hare is the CEO of Climate Analytics.))
((Bill Hare, Climate Analytics (in English) ))
“We know that what he's pushing for on the phase down is simply window dressing [for] increased oil and gas production.”
((NARRATOR))
Divisions over the projected phase-out of fossil fuels could dominate the summit. But there was progress in other areas.
The parties agreed a new $420 million fund to help poorer, vulnerable nations cope with the cost of disasters caused by climate change, like droughts, floods and rising sea levels.
((BEGIN OPTIONAL))
((FOR RADIO: U.S. Climate Envoy, John Kerry.))
((John Kerry, US Climate Envoy))
“We are obviously pleased with everybody by the early adoption by the parties, which is a great way to start this COP.”
((NARRATOR))
The day one deal could pave the way for further agreements at COP28.
((FOR RADIO: Tom Rivett-Carnac is a former strategist at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.))
((Tom Rivett-Carnac, Former UN Climate Strategist (in English) ))
((cf. Zoom logo))
“That will provide developing countries with the confidence that they can now step forward and implement mitigation measures as well.”
((END OPTIONAL ))
((NARRATOR))
Delegates hope the momentum continues into the rest of the summit – as marathon negotiations loom over the future use of fossil fuels.
((Henry Ridgwell, VOA News, London.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
London
Embargo DateNovember 30, 2023 17:16 EST
Byline
Henry Ridgwell, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
