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At the COP28 climate talks in Dubai, tensions have escalated as U.S. climate envoy John Kerry criticized Saudi Arabia and other nations for pushing carbon scrubbing technology as a replacement for phasing out fossil fuel use. Kerry accused some countries of lying about the potential for capturing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, stating that the technology remains largely unproven at the necessary scale.
The dispute comes as negotiators from nearly 200 countries wrangle over the draft of a pledge to end fossil fuel use. The deal has faced fierce opposition from fossil fuel-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia. These nations argue that carbon pollution can be effectively captured and buried using scrubbing technology, a claim strongly challenged by Kerry.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden’s administration is facing its own challenges in the fight against climate change. Kerry emphasized the need to end oil and gas subsidies in the United States to achieve climate goals, highlighting the gridlock in Congress as a barrier to legislative action. He described the subsidies as “crazy” and emphasized the urgency of eliminating them to make significant progress in combating climate change.
As the negotiations in Dubai enter their final week, the influence of key figures like John Kerry comes to the forefront. With close ties to President Biden and a veteran of climate negotiations, Kerry has been vocal about the United States’ commitment to climate action. He remains a prominent figure at the COP28 talks, engaging in discussions with other influential leaders and advocating for ambitious climate commitments.
The tensions at COP28 reflect the pressing global challenge of transitioning away from fossil fuels to combat climate change. As the talks continue, all eyes are on the major players and their willingness to take meaningful steps toward a sustainable, low-carbon future.
