COP28: OPEC's Push On Fossil Fuels Leaves France, Spain 'Stunned' & 'Disgusted'

OPEC is under scrutiny for allegedly urging its members to block any phase-out or phase-down in the final climate deal.

OPEC (Representational Image)

Source : Getty Images

France has voiced its astonishment and anger, while a Spanish minister has termed it "disgusting" that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is pushing for continued fossil fuel use at COP28 in Dubai. OPEC is under scrutiny for allegedly urging its members to block any phase-out or phase-down in the final climate deal, as reported by Reuters and the Associated Press.

Spanish Ecology Transition Minister Teresa Ribera, representing the EU at COP28 where they advocate for a departure from oil, gas, and coal, criticised OPEC's attempt to thwart any fossil fuel phase-out. "I think that it is quite, quite a disgusting thing that OPEC countries are pushing against getting the bar where it has to be," Ribera stated.

"We need to be quite clear, bold, crystal clear that the European Union will be aligning with... a large majority of the parties in this conference to ensure that we have (a) meaningful and productive outcome connected to this phase-out of fossil fuels," she added.

OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais sent a letter to the group's 13 members and 10 Russian-led allies, urging them to reject any text targeting fossil fuels instead of emissions. The letter, seen by Reuters, emphasised the commitment of OPEC countries to climate action but argued against jeopardising prosperity and future due to politically motivated campaigns.

This letter followed the release of the COP28 draft deal, the Global Stocktake, which includes options ranging from a "phase-out of fossil fuels in line with best available science" to phasing out "unabated fossil fuels" or containing no language on them at all.

At least 80 countries are pushing for a COP28 deal that advocates for eventually ending fossil fuel use, aligning with the global goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, they face resistance from countries reliant on oil and gas for revenue, as fossil fuels remain a significant source of planet-warming emissions.

Activists and the High Ambition Coalition, a broad coalition of nations ranging from Barbados to France, Kenya, and Pacific island states, were outraged by the letter.

"Nothing puts the prosperity and future of all people on Earth, including all citizens of OPEC countries, at greater risk than fossil fuels," said Tina Stege, Marshall Islands climate envoy and coalition chair, AFP reported.

Several countries' leaders have also condemned the move.

French Energy Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher was quoted as saying, "I am stunned by these OPEC statements. And I'm enraged," AFP quoted her as saying. The French minister said that she was "counting on the presidency of the COP not to be influenced by these declarations, and to reach an agreement which affirms a clear objective of phasing out fossil fuels".