The idea that fossil fuels have a long-term future in the global economy is one that is anathema to the many environmentalists attending the U.N. climate summit being hosted by the United Arab Emirates. But to two Canadian premiers who are also attending, the idea is gospel, and the conference is an ideal place to mint converts.Danielle Smith, the premier of Alberta, and Scott Moe, her counterpart in Saskatchewan, are participating in the meetings with the aim of promoting continued development of oil and gas. And they were joined by a large contingent of oil and gas industry representatives from Canada. According to Environmental Defence, which is based in Toronto, an estimated 35 people affiliated with the fossil fuel industry were part of Canada’s delegation, all of them included by Alberta.The participation of fossil fuel proponents in the climate summit and its location in the United Arab Emirates — a country whose economy is almost entirely based on selling fossil fuels — has raised doubts about the credibility of the negotiations, my colleague Vivian Nereim reported.
A leaked internal document also showed that the Emirates had another goal for the meeting: to advance oil and gas deals around the world. [Read: Files Suggest Climate Summit’s Leader Is Using Event to Promote Fossil Fuels]
Then a video surfaced showing Sultan Al Jaber, the Emirati oil executive who is leading the conference, saying there was “no science” supporting the idea that fossil fuels must be phased out to prevent average global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius over preindustrial levels — the point beyond which scientists say the effects of global warming will become overwhelming. [Read: Climate Summit Leader Tries to Calm Uproar Over a Remark on Fossil Fuels]
Mr. Al Jaber was defiant and suggested in a news conference that he hadn’t said what the video captured.
It’s too early to say whether the agreement that scientists, environmentalists and dozens of world leaders are pushing for — one that would lead to a rapid reduction in oil production — will actually come together. [Read: It’s Big Oil vs. Science at the U.N. Climate Summit]
The conference, being held at the end of the hottest year in recorded history, doesn’t end until Tuesday. [Read: Big Oil’s Compromise Is on the Table at the U.N. Climate Summit]
But those calling for the final text to include unambiguous language rapidly phasing out fossil fuels may be disappointed. Under U.N. rules, any one of the 170 countries at the meeting can scuttle any agreement. The Gulf States, among others, have said that they will not accept any call for an end to the industry that has brought them outsized wealth.
Back in Ottawa on Thursday, the federal government unveiled a key component of its climate plan for the oil and gas industry, which is the country’s biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions. The announcement made Canada the first major oil and gas producer to put a cap on emissions from the segment.
Under the government’s plan, the energy sector will get a break from requirements that it cut emissions relative to other industries. Canada’s overall climate target calls for reductions, by 2030, of 40 percent to 45 percent below 2005 levels. The oil and gas industry, however, will only have to end up at 35 percent to 38 percent below 2019 levels by the same deadline. Companies that do not meet those reductions will be able to buy offsets from industries that have cut output.