Pres Ali calls out COP28 for ‘ignoring realities’ in achieving net zero

…says Guyana remains global leader in climate, food, energy security

By Rupa Seenaraine

Guyana used its platform at the ongoing United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai to emphasise the stark reality that persisting with a doctrinarian approach will not lead to the achievement of net-zero goals.
Countries headed to COP this year to join the global dialogue on addressing climate change and its impacts, set emission reduction targets, and develop international agreements on climate-related issues. The goal is to coordinate global efforts to mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects.
As he took the stage, President Irfaan Ali sought to highlight a shifting landscape and called out leaders for ignoring current realities in achieving net zero – which means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere.
Moreover, he added that to achieve a just, affordable transition to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, everybody should be at the table with a solution to propose. He recognised that climate action cannot be to the detriment of the world’s developing countries and poorest people.
“COP28 will not achieve the desired objectives of definitively putting our planet on a net-zero trajectory, if we continue to address this matter in a doctrinarian way, ignoring the current realities. Given the growth in demand for energy, a significant part of that demand will come from many in the developing world who continue to live in energy poverty.”
He further reasoned, “It is also a fact that renewables will not meet the growth of demand in the near future. If the debate at COP28 is framed by two camps: one calling for no cuts in fossil fuel production, including the most polluting form such as coal, and the other saying that the only solution to net zero is an end to fossil fuel production, then we will fail once again to achieve a viable outcome, and not to give our world the energy it needs to grow and prosper.”

Combination of measures
The Guyanese leader told the global forum that net zero by 2050 as a target can only be achieved by a combination of measures. These include a reduction in fossil fuel production and the removal of large polluters out of the supply chain; incentivising the introduction of renewables at scale; addressing the energy demand; upscaling technology such as carbon capture and storage; and reduction in deforestation and land degradation through incentivising the protection and sustainable management of forests.
“Against this reality, Guyana underscores the need for us to collectively reset global relationships and imbue them with enhanced trust and solidarity. Only in doing so can we aspire to confront the most pressing challenges of our era: climate change, conflicts, the energy and food crises and achieving sustainable development.”
That means three priorities for this COP: agreeing on a just and affordable transition away from excessive fossil fuel use; ensuring at-scale and accessible climate finance for the developing world that is of a scale that matches what needs to be done; and agreeing on action at scale to maintain tropical forests and advance sustainable land use.
Specifically, on tropical forests, Ali said COP28 must finally turn the promise of climate action into reality.
Halting and reversing forest loss globally by 2030 is potentially one-third of the available solution to keep 1.5 degrees in reach.
Finance is key and Guyana is co-chairing the carbon markets working group of the Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership, consisting of 30 countries. Along with its partners, this small South American country will be making big moves to build high-quality carbon markets so that forest communities and countries can prosper while keeping nature intact.

Global leader
Back in 2008, Guyana was the first developing country to produce a Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), maintaining one of the world’s most intact tropical forests, the world’s lowest deforestation rate and sporting more than 19.5 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Ali added that the country is a carbon net-positive country and aims to retain these positives while accepting the responsibilities that come with being a new oil producer.
“Our economy will grow more than three-fold while keeping energy-related emissions flat. We are building an ecosystem service economy, with forest carbon markets generating 4.5 per cent of Government income this year alone. Forest carbon markets are also creating revenue for more than 500 LCDS projects across Indigenous and other communities, and funding one of Guyana’s biggest-ever investments in adaptation,” said the President.
He concluded that Guyana will continue to be a world leader in aligning food, energy, and climate.
The Head of State voiced, “We stand in solidarity with everyone who is working to create a better future, especially in developing countries. And we will always put practical solutions before abstract theories so that we can play our part in finally bringing climate stability within reach.”