Watch: Labour MP Criticises UAE For Hosting COP28 Climate Change Summit While Producing Oil
Labour MP Malcolm Paul Agius Galea has criticised the choice of the United Arab Emirates, one of the world’s largest oil producers, as host of this year’s COP28 climate change summit.
“The UAE economy relies on oil, a fossil fuel, which creates toxic gases that escalate climate change,” Agius Galea said in Parliament this week.
He said it was very ironic that Sultan al-Jaber, chief executive of the UAE’s state-oil firm Adnoc, was chosen as president of COP28.
“His role clashes significantly with his role at COP28; it was quite annoying and there was a lot of resistance to it,” he said.
“A few days ago, he slipped up big time when he said he wants to use the money they are generating to contribute to combating climate change. When I hear such things, I shake my head and wonder whether they really understand what’s happening around us and how committed they truly are in their roles.”
He also criticised China for not participating in COP28 and the USA for not being as committed as it should be.
On a local level, he warned that the people of Malta consume way too much energy. While he agreed with the government’s heavy energy subsidies, he admitted they could be contributing to a sense of comfort that energy wastage isn’t too costly.
Do you agree with Malcolm Paul Agius Galea’s assessment?
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