The window for resolving existing differences is “closing,” said al-Jaber, with a much more serious expression than the day before. It is high time for decisions: “Please, no hesitation.” A meeting with ministers and heads of delegations is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. local time (12 p.m. CET).
The dispute over a global move away from oil and gas came to a head on Saturday. A call from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to block any decisions against fossil fuels caused particular outrage.
Although he himself is head of the state oil company Adnoc, al-Jaber says he believes a move away from oil, gas and coal is “inevitable” – even if he has not advocated a rapid transition. Al-Jaber said on Saturday evening that he hoped to be able to present a new package of measures for consultation by Monday morning.
The oil and gas-rich host country United Arab Emirates has great interest in a successful outcome of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference. Al-Jaber has set the goal of ending the conference on Tuesday promptly at 11 a.m. (local time, 8 a.m. CET), unlike in previous years.
