Divided they stand: Climate talks head for tough finale

The COP28 presidency UAE called the "majlis" gathering to break deadlock over contentious issues

- Jayashree Nandi

The gulf between developed and developing country blocs in how to chart the future of climate action came sharply into view on Sunday, with divisions now appearing to cast a shadow on even some foundational principles the world agreed on in the past, such as the notion that those who historically spewed more carbon emissions take a larger share of responsibility.

Representatives from countries and blocs made statements on their objectives during a “majlis” gathering organised by the COP28 presidency UAE, which called the sitting in an effort to break the deadlock over a number of contentious issues.

Simply put, there are two broad divisions: developed and developing countries, with some other blocs, such as petro-states that rely on oil for their economy, and vulnerable small islands, which face an almost immediate existential risk, taking positions somewhere in between.

The extremes in the divergences were captured in the statements by ministers from Saudi Arabia, an oil producer, and Switzerland, one of the richest countries.

Saudi Arabia resists attempts to target oil

Saudi Arabia has resisted attempts by wealthy countries to target oil. “We have raised concerns on attempts to attack energy sources instead of emissions. There are attempts to present sectoral targets with lack of differentiation. This platform should not be used to target specific sources of energy. It is at odds with the Paris Agreement and has a policy prescriptive nature,” said the representative from Saudi Arabia, making it clear that the country will not accept any outcome that attacks specific sources of emissions.