Dear UNFCCC Secretariat,
We are writing to you today to urge you to cancel the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC UAE COP 28) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As we approach the critical decade for climate action, it is important that we make informed decisions about where we hold such events. There are several reasons why the UAE is not a suitable host for such a conference, and we will explain them in detail below.
UAE’s Contribution to Climate Change:
The UAE is one of the highest per capita carbon emitters in the world. According to the World Bank, in 2018, the UAE’s carbon emissions were 22.2 metric tons per capita, which is significantly higher than the global average of 4.8 metric tons per capita. The country has one of the highest levels of fossil fuel consumption in the world, with oil and gas accounting for over 90% of its total energy consumption. This means that the country’s economy is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to climate change.
Hosting a climate change conference in a country that is heavily reliant on fossil fuels sends the wrong message about the seriousness of the climate crisis. It sends the message that countries can continue to emit high levels of carbon and still be considered as leaders in the fight against climate change. This is not the message we should be sending to the world.
Human Rights Abuses in the UAE:
The UAE has a poor record when it comes to human rights. Human Rights Watch has documented numerous cases of human rights abuses in the country, including the suppression of free speech, the use of torture, and the mistreatment of migrant workers. Hosting a climate change conference in a country with such a poor record on human rights sends the message that we are willing to overlook human rights abuses in the name of climate action. This is not acceptable.
Lack of Democratic Processes in the UAE:
The UAE is an absolute monarchy, which means that there are no democratic processes in place. The country’s rulers have complete control over the government, and there is no mechanism for the people to hold them accountable. This lack of democratic processes means that the people of the UAE have no say in the decisions that are made by their government.
Hosting a climate change conference in a country with no democratic processes sends the message that we are willing to overlook the importance of democracy in the fight against climate change. Democracy is a crucial component of the climate change conversation, as it allows for transparency, accountability, and public participation in decision-making.
The UAE’s Contribution to the Yemen Crisis:
The UAE is a key player in the ongoing Yemen crisis. The country is part of the Saudi-led coalition that has been accused of committing numerous war crimes in Yemen, including the bombing of civilian targets and the use of child soldiers. Hosting a climate change conference in a country that is implicated in such a crisis sends the message that we are willing to overlook the importance of peace and security in the fight against climate change. Peace and security are crucial components of the climate change conversation, as climate change has the potential to exacerbate existing conflicts and create new ones.
Hosting the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference in the UAE would send the wrong message about the seriousness of the climate crisis, the importance of human rights, democratic processes, equality, and peace and security in the fight against climate change. It is important that we hold climate change conferences in countries that are committed to addressing the crisis and have a track record of promoting human rights, democratic processes, equality, and peace and security. The UAE does not meet these criteria, and therefore, we urge you to cancel the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference in the UAE.
Instead, we should consider alternative locations that are committed to addressing the climate crisis and have a strong track record on human rights, democratic processes, equality, and peace and security. Such locations could include countries like Norway, Finland, or Costa Rica, which are leaders in the fight against climate change and have strong commitments to human rights, democratic processes, equality, and peace and security.
The UAE has been investing heavily in renewable energy in recent years, but as we mentioned earlier, they still heavily rely on fossil fuels for their economy. Therefore, it is possible that the UAE is using the COP 28 conference to showcase their efforts in renewable energy while downplaying their reliance on fossil fuels and their poor record on human rights, democratic processes, equality, and peace and security.
This is not the first time a country has attempted to use a climate change conference as a way to improve their international reputation. In 2019, Brazil was set to host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 25) but due to concerns about their environmental policies, the conference was moved to Spain.
It is important that we are aware of such attempts and hold countries accountable for their actions. The focus of the COP 28 conference should be on finding solutions to the climate crisis, not on improving the reputation of the host country.
In conclusion, it is important that we remain vigilant about the motives of countries hosting climate change conferences and ensure that the focus remains on finding solutions to the climate crisis rather than on improving their international reputation.
We appreciate your attention to this important matter and urge you to take immediate action in canceling the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference in the UAE. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Washington Center For Human Rights.