The Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) has reiterated its call on Ahmed al Jaber to step down from COP28 presidency.

Development Diaries reports that the group had declined an invitation to meet with Al Jaber in Nairobi, Kenya, on the grounds of his oil ties.

According to the group of climate change-focused organisations, his appointment poses a serious conflict of interest and undermines his credibility as the leader of the global climate negotiations.

Al Jaber is COP28 President-Designate and also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and PACJA is calling on him to step down from the COP28 presidency because he represents the fossil fuel industry’s interest, which is the main driver of the ongoing climate crisis.

PACJA also highlighted that his involvement with the COP process raises questions about the integrity and legitimacy of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

‘His invitation to meet with us in Nairobi appears to be a public relations stunt to improve his image and credibility as the COP president’, PACJA said in a statement.

‘We do not wish to be used as a token of your engagement with civil society, while you continue to pursue policies and projects that are detrimental to the environment and human rights.

‘We urge Dr. Al Jaber, in good faith, to step down from COP28 Presidency’.

Fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – are by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions.

The climate crisis continues to drive water stress and hazards like withering droughts and devastating floods across Africa, hitting communities, economies and ecosystems.

Rainfall patterns have also been disrupted with glaciers disappearing, while key lakes are shrinking.

Rising water demand combined with limited and unpredictable supplies threatens to aggravate conflict and displacement.

Photo source: PACJA