US Special Climate Envoy John Kerry praised the COP28 climate summit deal as a triumph for multilateralism, while the UAE’s COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber deemed it “historic.” Despite the summit’s challenging context, being held in oil-rich Arab territory with opposition from OPEC, the conference successfully brokered a deal signaling the end of the fossil-fuel era.
The host nation, the United Arab Emirates, played a crucial role in securing a pact acceptable to all 196 participating countries. Reuters sources revealed that the UAE presidency adopted a strategic approach, intentionally presenting provocative drafts to push negotiators to reveal their positions and ultimately find common ground.
Back-channel diplomacy from the United States, led by John Kerry, and China, along with their personal relationship built over two decades, contributed significantly to articulating the global shift away from oil, gas, and coal. This collaborative effort also persuaded OPEC leaders to support the agreement.
The details of the UAE’s strategy, as well as the roles of the US and China in achieving the deal, had not been previously disclosed. After a conference marked by moments of tension and extended into overtime, negotiators reached an accord that outlined a collective commitment to “transitioning” away from fossil fuels. This marked the first time in history that nations expressed a unified desire to move beyond the oil age.
To address concerns of oil producers, including OPEC members and allies, the deal offered an option for mitigating the climate impact of existing oil, gas, and coal through technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration, preventing greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere.
