Saudi energy minister challenges plan to phase out of fossil fuels to prove it can be done

A draft agreement to phase out the use of fossil fuels that’s being deliberated at the global climate summit, COP28, in Dubai this week was met with firm opposition from Saudi officials.

Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman, half brother of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, told AFP that he doesn’t support the draft plan.

“And I assure you not a single person – I'm talking about governments – believes in that,” Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said.

The energy minister challenged anyone calling for a complete elimination of fossil fuels to prove it can be done.

“If they believe that this is the highest moral ground issue, fantastic. Let them do that themselves, and we will see how much they can deliver,” he said.

The statements follow those of the summit’s president, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who was also critical during a talk leading up to COP28 of calls to phase out fossil fuels ​​​​​​.

“I expected to come to this meeting to have a sober and mature conversation. I’m not in any way signing up to any discussion that is alarmist,” Al Jaber, who is also chief executive of the United Arab Emirate’s state oil company, Adnoc, said.