2023-12-10 17:32:37
COP28: Oil producer group OPEC held an event on the sidelines of COP28 negotiations in Dubai on Sunday, aimed at convincing young people to support fossil fuels, the future of which has caused deep divisions among delegates at the summit on climate. Dubbed “Special Day – OPEC and Youth,” the event included a presentation in his pavilion at the summit site, followed by what he called a campfire discussion.
About a dozen young people took part, some of whom were anti-fossil fuel activists.
OPEC officials who worked the event had a simple message: Rapid population growth means demand for oil will continue to rise, and renewable energy is expensive and limited.
OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais asked the public to visualize a population boom the size of “50 Londons” by 2030. London’s population is around 9 million.
“This is to illustrate how much additional energy we are talking regarding,” he said.
An OPEC representative highlighted the importance of fossil fuels in the medical sector and asked the group if a person needing to be rushed to an ambulance would care whether the fuel used was sustainable.
Behind him, a screen displayed the following message: “OPEC recognizes the essential role of fossil fuels in the medical sector: “OPEC recognizes the essential role of youth in shaping the energy industry and in building an energy future for all.
A dozen activists from the 350.org organization briefly entered the pavilion between sessions and chanted: “What do we want? What do we want?” Gradual stopping. When do we want it? NOW”.
This was a reference to proposed language in the final COP28 agreement which, for the first time, would call for a phase-out of the use of fossil fuels, the main source of greenhouse gas emissions. greenhouse that scientists accuse of being the cause of global warming.
OPEC opposes the proposal and earlier this week made a rare intervention in climate negotiations by urging its members and allies to reject the targeting of fossil fuels in the final summit deal.
Another OPEC representative spoke with young activists outside the pavilion and debated with them the future of oil.
The OPEC pavilion also exhibited everyday objects made with or powered by petroleum products, such as a soccer ball and a miniature school bus. A small blackboard written by hand in different colors read: “Special day – OPEC and oil”: “Special day – OPEC and young people”.
Michael Matchell, who attended the event on behalf of a group called Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, told Archyde.com that OPEC had an opportunity to listen to their concerns regarding climate change, but that it preferred to repeat his own arguments.
“I think they missed a crucial opportunity to engage with young people,” he said.
(c) Afp
Comment OPEC continues its charm offensive at COP28, among young people
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