Climate summit will be time of action, not assertions, envoy says

Sanjay Sudhir, India’s ambassador to the UAE, has backed the Emirates to ensure Cop28 is a summit of action and called on the international community to remain united in efforts to tackle climate change.

He praised Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Cop28 President-designate and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, for his approach to the summit, which will be held at Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12.

“We see the UAE being fully committed to making Cop28 a Cop of action and not mere assertions,” Mr Sudhir told The National yesterday.

Mr Sudhir said Dr Al Jaber, who is also the UAE’s special envoy for climate change, had a solid track record in renewables as chairman of Masdar.

His participation at previous UN climate change summits showed he was the right man to lead Cop28, Mr Sudhir said.

“It is a qualification that I do not think any single individual can ever bring to the table,” he said.

“Dr Sultan’s idea of creating an inclusive discourse is actually what the world needs today for action.”

Mr Sudhir emphasised the importance of finding ways to address the disproportionate effects of climate change on developing nations.

He called for the Global North to support nations in the Global South.

“For the Global South, there are challenges of energy availability, accessibility and affordability,” he said.

“It is in need of technologies and focus on adaptation that can enable them to transition and meet their energy needs simultaneously. Unfortunately, the Global North has hardly paid any attention to this fact.

“The Global South, including Sids [small island developing states] and other developing countries, have contributed least to climate change but they suffer some of the worst consequences and are most vulnerable.”

When asked about the UAE’s emphasis on carbon capture and storage, Mr Sudhir said was an effective solution for countries that had been focused on fossil fuels.

“The role of clean fossil fuels will be an integral part of a just, fair and equitable energy transition,” he said.

Carbon capture and storage is part of India’s Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy, which it announced last year at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

Mr Sudhir said India was committed to its net-zero emissions targets.

“India is a global energy transition leader,” he said.

“A just, fair and equitable energy transition is a critical pillar of India’s growth and development agenda.”

It has made major strides in renewable energy, including hydropower and solar projects.

“India stands fourth globally in renewable energy installed capacity, including large hydro power,” Mr Sudhir said.

“India has set a target to reduce the carbon intensity of the nation’s economy by at least 45 per cent by the end of the decade, achieve 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed by 2030 from renewables, and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.”

Dr Sultan Al Jaber’s idea of creating an inclusive discourse is actually what the world needs today for action

SANJAY SUDHIR

India’s ambassador to the UAE