– says President Ali at COP 28

IN order to meet its net-zero emissions targets, President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali recently asked the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) to adopt a more inclusive strategy.

According to President Ali, the current “doctrinaire” approach runs the risk of endangering the interests of developing countries and the world’s poorest citizens during his speech to world leaders at the Dubai summit.

President Ali underlined the necessity of a paradigm shift and urged leaders to “reset and reflect” on how to address climate concerns in a way that is inclusive and does not disproportionately impact populations that are already vulnerable.

President Ali said, “If the debate of COP28 is framed by two camps; one, calling for no cuts in fossil fuel production, including the most polluting form such as coal, and the other saying that the only solution to net zero is an end to fossil fuel production, then we’ll fail once again to achieve a viable outcome and not give our world the energy it needs to grow and prosper.”
Keeping the world’s forests intact, reducing the production of fossil fuels, removing major polluters from the supply chain, and other strategies—it is President Ali’s belief that these measures will contribute to achieving net zero.

He emphasised: “We maintain our call for the removal of subsidies, incentivizing the reintroduction of renewables at scale, addressing the demand for energy, upscaling technology… A reduction in deforestation and land degradation through incentives and incentivising the protection and sustainable management of forests.”

President Ali continued by stating that only by taking such an approach can the world effectively address urgent challenges like climate change, food, and energy crises and achieve sustainable development.

Within his outline of three discussion topics, the President also expressed the necessity for leaders to guarantee widespread and accessible climate finance for a developing world that aligns with the magnitude of necessary actions, as well as endorse a fair, equitable, and balanced energy transition.

Moreover, he explained that it is imperative that world leaders acknowledge the significance of conserving tropical forests and promoting sustainable land use, particularly in these areas.
Guyana spearheaded the initiative as co-chair of the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) carbon markets working group, which is composed of 30 nations.

Guyana also collaborated with the FCLP to establish premium carbon markets that will enable the development of forested areas and nations while preserving the environment.

President Ali stated: “The COP must finally turn the promise of climate action into reality, halting and reversing forest loss globally by 2030. It’s potentially one-third of the available solution to keep 1.5 degrees within reach, and finance is key.”

Guyana, which has the most intact forests and one of the lowest rates of deforestation, was the first developing nation to create a Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) in 2008, storing more than 19.5 gigatons of carbon dioxide.

Additionally, the nation is developing an eco-system economy with markets for forest carbon, which will provide 4.5 per cent of the government’s revenue in 2023 alone. The carbon markets in the forests also provide funding for around 500 initiatives in indigenous communities.

President Ali reiterated that Guyana would always present workable answers and that it is in solidarity with all nations striving to build a brighter future for all people, particularly in developing nations.

“We are a carbon-net-positive country and aim to stay there,” the Head of State expounded.
(This is part of a weekly series on LCDS.) The author can be contacted at cparkinson0206@gmail.com.