Dear Kathy Castor, Chair of the House Climate Crisis Committee
Subject: US should not let UN hold its COP 28 Climate summit in UAE, and should not participate
We are writing to express our deep concerns regarding the upcoming Cop 28 Climate Summit that is scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE is not an appropriate venue to host this crucial event due to its poor environmental record and lack of adherence to international standards for environmental protection.
Recent reports, such as those from CNBC and Al Jazeera, have revealed that the appointment of an oil company chief as president of the summit has sparked a backlash. This decision raises serious doubts about the UAE’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources. The appointment of someone from the oil industry is particularly concerning, as it may suggest that the summit is being used to further the interests of the fossil fuel industry, rather than working towards a sustainable future for all.
Furthermore, it is well-known that the UAE has a poor environmental record. According to a Wikipedia article on environmental issues in the UAE, the country is one of the largest per capita emitters of greenhouse gases. The country has a high carbon footprint due to its dependence on oil and gas, which has led to significant environmental damage. The UAE’s lack of action on climate change, despite being a signatory to the Paris Agreement, is also a cause for concern.
The UAE’s approach to environmental protection has been widely criticized. The country has failed to implement effective measures to reduce its carbon emissions and has been reluctant to adopt renewable energy sources. While the UAE has made some progress in recent years, such as setting a target to generate 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2050, there are still significant concerns about the country’s environmental policies.
Furthermore, the UAE has been accused of using events such as the Cop 28 Climate Summit to improve its reputation, rather than genuinely working towards a sustainable future. This is a worrying trend, as it suggests that the UAE is more concerned with its public image than taking meaningful action to address climate change.
In light of these concerns, we strongly urge the House Select Committee on the Climate to reconsider the UAE as a host for the Cop 28 Climate Summit. The UAE’s poor environmental record and lack of adherence to international standards for environmental protection make it an unsuitable venue for this event. Hosting the summit in the UAE would send the wrong message about the importance of environmental protection and the need to transition to renewable energy. It could also be seen as an attempt by the UAE to use the summit to wash its reputation, rather than a genuine commitment to addressing climate change.
We implore the House Select Committee on the Climate to take these concerns into account and choose an alternative venue for the Cop 28 Climate Summit. It is crucial that this event is held in a country that is genuinely committed to protecting the environment and transitioning to renewable energy sources. We cannot afford to allow events like this to be used as a platform to promote the interests of the fossil fuel industry or to wash the reputation of countries with poor environmental records.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Very Respectfully,
Justin Thomas Russell
Principal Director
