Table Media
by Markus Bickel
7th December, 2023
The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates in Berlin, Ahmed Alattar, bemoans the ideological bias of the climate debate in Germany - and argues in an interview for a balance between reducing emissions and economic growth.
Mr
Ambassador, what does your country expect from the hosting of COP28?
Our primary
expectations and goals for COP28 are clear. We aim to make COP28 a pivotal
moment when the global community unites, takes concrete actions, and delivers
on commitments to address climate change. We recognize the pressing need to
curb global warming and the devastating impacts it has on our planet, from
extreme weather events to the loss of biodiversity and livelihoods.
We support a just energy transition that involves all stakeholders. Climate financing will be an important part of COP28 because we want to rule out the possibility of a decline in economic growth worldwide.
Climate
critics take a different view, even the German government in Berlin wants to
move away from a course that is focussed solely on growth criteria.
We need to
stop conducting the climate debate ideologically and start looking rationally
for practicable solutions to combat climate change. Unfortunately, part of the
narrative here in Germany is the demand to stop using fossil fuels overnight. We think that is very dangerous. Because if
we stop using fossil fuels now, it will create political resistance to ending
the use of fossil fuels. And in a way that will lead to more and more people
rejecting the idea of protecting the planet and fighting climate change.
In
raw numbers: What would be a success of COP28 in your view?
We need to announce a tripling of renewable energy. We need to get serious about climate finance and we need to phase out the unabated use of fossil fuels. The main challenges in the negotiations include the urgent need to cut emissions by 43% in the next seven years to avoid a catastrophic tipping point, the Global Stocktake showed we must reduce 22 gigatons of emissions before 2030. This means bringing in more clean energy sources and phasing out those that are too harmful for our climate. Technically speaking, this means for example: tripling global renewable energy capacity (to 11,000 GW).
The Emirates have been preparing for an
end to the fossil fuel era for more than a decade. How are you guiding this
change?
On the one hand, of course, we are combating emissions. On the other hand, we are also setting parameters to balance emissions and economic growth as well as possible. Because if you go too far in the direction of combating emissions and thus harming economic growth, emissions will also fall victim to this in the long term. And if you go too far in the direction of economic growth, then climate change will be adversely affected. The UAE is actively embracing a multi-pronged approach to transition into a post-oil era. It is investing in renewable energy, green technologies, and sustainability while also diversifying its economy and forming international partnerships to achieve its goals. These initiatives aim to ensure long-term economic stability and reduce the country's reliance on oil revenues.
Is
your country prepared to pay into the Loss and Damage Fund agreed at COP27 in
Sharm el-Sheikh?
This fund was created for countries that have caused the most CO2 emissions worldwide, and we are not one of them. We only really took off as an economy 25 years ago. So how can we be expected to pay into the fund for losses and damage caused by others?
In
other words, your position is clear: no compromises possible?
We want there to be an agreement on the fund issue. That is crucial for us. We are committed to an inclusive, transparent, and forward-looking process that leaves no one behind and forges partnerships for progressive action with all.
Only fifty kilometres separate the coasts of Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Could the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), of which your country is a member alongside Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia, play a role in building a system of collective security in the region?
I think the Gulf Cooperation Council fulfils this function to a certain extent by providing a common sense of identity, which is very important for security in the region. But it is also important to conclude free trade agreements with other parts of the world. Incidentally, this also applies to the conclusion of a double taxation agreement with Germany, which does not yet exist. However, the way in which the Gulf Cooperation Council acts in terms of security policy differs from that of NATO, for example. Different standards and different ways of policy-making apply there.
So
the GCC will not replace the Arab League?
The GCC has been a very important partner and force for stability in the Gulf. It has provided a framework for Gulf countries to foster cooperation, resolve conflicts, and deepen our integration, including through a common VAT rate amongst others. They [The GCC and the Arab League] complement each other, and have done so for quite some time. In addition, the Arab League continues to represent a very wide range of political positions, while the Gulf Cooperation Council group is rather smaller in comparison.
How
important are cultural and societal ties? Are there any projects reaching out
to youth-exchange?
Cultural
and societal ties are paramount in our bilateral relations. These ties form the
essence of our connection, fostering mutual understanding beyond political and
economic realms. Recognizing the pivotal role of youth, we actively engage in
projects promoting cross-cultural exchange, as stated in our joint bilateral
statement of advancing a more comprehensive strategic partnerships. To only
mention a few: We have academic and research exchanges with the Leipzig
University and the Leibniz Institute of European History in Mainz.
Additionally, the University of Europe for Applied Sciences is the first German
university to have opened a branch in the UAE (UE Campus Dubai) in April 2023,
its first location outside Europe. We are very proud of these cooperations.
Link to the Interview (in German)
