COP28 President: We very much respect climate science

COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber on Monday said he respected the science around climate change and that the work of his presidency had been centred around it.

While addressing a press conference on Monday, Al Jaber said the COP28 presidency is working with a full understanding of what is at stake.

"The UAE takes this task with humility and responsibility and fully understands the urgency behind this matter. We are here because we fully believe and respect the science," he told the press conference.

“Let’s remember why we’re all here. We’re all here because we’ve made a very clear call to action. The UAE takes this task with humility and responsibility and fully understands the urgency behind this matter. We are here because we fully believe and respect the science.” - Dr.… pic.twitter.com/KN3bM89VAz

— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) December 4, 2023

Al Jaber highlighted how COP28 has already set a high bar for delivery, emphasising that this is the "opportunity to deliver a real and tangible paradigm shift that will course correct and put us on the right track of keeping 1.5 within reach."

“I really think something special is happening here. The positivity, the optimism, the hope, the momentum, the determination - is growing.

And I will stay laser-focused on delivery and maintaining this point until we land the most ambitious response to the Global Stocktake” -… pic.twitter.com/tHeRwLBfBR

— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) December 4, 2023

He expressed pride in COP28 delivering the first-ever declarations on health and food systems, and added that three additional declarations will be announced in the coming days on hydrogen, cooling and gender.

The COP28 President also said he was surprised by constant attempts to undermine his presidency's work at the climate summit, responding to a report in the Guardian newspaper on his past comments about climate science.

During the news conference, Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), stressed the importance of listening to science and reaffirmed Al Jaber’s commitment to keeping 1.5 degrees within reach.

Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, stresses the importance of listening to science and reaffirms Dr. Sultan Al Jaber’s commitment to keeping 1.5 degrees within reach. #COP28 #UniteActDeliver pic.twitter.com/WxMoD3VRTG

— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) December 4, 2023