Dear Danish and European Human Rights Organizations,
We, Washington Center for Human Rights, are writing to you to raise our concerns about the United Arab Emirates (UAE) appointing Dr. Thani Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi as President of COP28, scheduled to take place in 2023. The appointment of Dr. Al-Zeyoudi, the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, has raised alarm among environmentalists and climate activists worldwide, given the UAE’s poor record on environmental issues and climate change.
As you know, climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing the world today. Therefore, international cooperation and collaboration are essential in addressing this issue. The Conference of Parties (COP) is a crucial international platform where countries come together to discuss climate change and take action to address it. However, the credibility of COP depends on the leadership and commitment of the host country. Unfortunately, in the case of COP28, the UAE’s appointment of Dr. Al-Zeyoudi as President is unacceptable and raises questions about the credibility of the summit. Denmark should, therefore, not host the summit under these conditions.
Dr. Thani Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi has been appointed as President of COP28, and his appointment has raised concerns among environmentalists and climate activists globally, given the UAE’s poor record on environmental issues and climate change. The UAE is one of the world’s largest producers of oil and gas and has been accused of obstructing efforts to tackle climate change in the past. The country has also failed to set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions or transitioning to renewable energy sources.
Dr. Al-Zeyoudi is, therefore, unsuitable for the role of leading COP28 as it would send a message that the international community is willing to prioritize the interests of the oil and gas industry over the environment and the fight against climate change. It is vital to note that the credibility of COP depends on the leadership and commitment of the host country. The UAE has failed to show any commitment to climate change, and Dr. Al-Zeyoudi’s appointment further highlights this.
Dr. Al-Zeyoudi’s record on environmental issues and climate change is appalling. Under his leadership as the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, the country has failed to take significant action to tackle climate change. Instead, the UAE has continued to prioritize its oil and gas industry at the expense of the environment. In 2019, the country ranked 33rd out of 60 countries in the Climate Change Performance Index, indicating its poor performance in addressing climate change.
One of the significant concerns is the UAE’s reliance on fossil fuels, which has led to the country having one of the highest per capita carbon footprints globally. According to the World Bank, the UAE’s per capita carbon emissions were 22.2 metric tons in 2018, much higher than the global average of 4.8 metric tons. The country’s continued investment in the oil and gas industry has also undermined its efforts to transition to renewable energy sources. Despite setting a target of generating 27% of its energy from clean sources by 2021, the country has been slow to invest in renewables, and its progress towards this target has been sluggish.
Moreover, the UAE has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability when it comes to climate change. The country has not submitted updated climate pledges since 2015, and its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement is not in line with the goals of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The country has also been accused of obstructing progress in international climate negotiations, particularly in discussions around fossil fuel subsidies.
Dr. Al-Zeyoudi’s appointment as President of COP28 raises serious concerns about the credibility of the summit. It sends a message that the UAE, a country with a poor record on climate change, is being rewarded with a prestigious leadership role, despite its lack of commitment to the issue. Furthermore, Dr. Al-Zeyoudi’s statements and actions suggest that he is not the right person to lead a summit on climate change, as he has not demonstrated a strong commitment to the issue and has promoted false solutions.
Therefore, we urge Danish and European human rights organizations to take action to ensure that the COP28 summit is hosted under the leadership of someone who is committed to addressing climate change and has a strong track record on environmental issues. We believe that Denmark should refuse to host the summit under the leadership of Dr. Al-Zeyoudi, and instead, call for his removal from the position. We also urge you to work with other organizations and governments to ensure that the COP28 summit is a success and helps to advance the fight against climate change.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Washington Center for Human Rights