OPEC demands inclusive debate on climate change

Sopuruchi Onwuka

Developed economies of the world must balance out the demands for climate remediation with the economic development goals of developing countries in order to activate implementation of the popular Paris Agreement with “with a unified and powerful voice.”

Secretary General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr. Mohammed Barkindo, who addressed a conference of energy economists in Abuja, Nigeria, emphasized “operationalization of the Paris Agreement in a balanced and equitable manner.”

He proposed that while developed countries responsible for historical emissions and can afford to combat greenhouse gas emissions should take the lead regarding climate action, “the developing countries must enhance climate action while insisting on sufficient support in the areas of finance and technology transfer, using approaches that fit their national capacities.”

He made it clear that “developing countries require greater support, including financial resources, technology development and transfer and capacity building to support increased ambitions for climate action in accordance with the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.”

The Oracle Today reports that the 2016 Paris Agreement also called Paris Accord forms part of the key international treaties that call for action on reduction of human activities that contribute to greenhouse gas emission and consequent climate change. It is one of the implementation measures under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which formed in 1992 and came into force in 1994. The Paris Agreement supersedes the 1997 Kyoto Protocol which was in effect from 2005 to 2020.

Dr Barkindo who was addressing concerns on how the oil industry and oil producing countries are addressing environmental issues within the context of net-zero carbon targets by 2050 stated that OPEC countries are conscious of the dangers of climate change.

While calling on developing countries to step into the climate debate, Dr, Barkindo stressed that time has come for physical in-person debate that would provide audience for the developing countries to present their challenges on implementation of the Paris Agreement.

“We must have our voices heard, as the livelihood of our industry and the wellbeing of our citizens will be strongly impacted, exactly when developing economies are struggling to recover from the pandemic-induced health crisis and build back resilient, just and inclusive societies,” he insisted.

“We must remind the world that the oil sector has lifted billions out of poverty and is behind the modern consumer economy. As a leading industry in technology and innovation, we are uniquely qualified to help drive the energy transition, while at the same time addressing climate change in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.”

He clarified that OPEC does not deny the urgency of climate action nor does it withhold action. He made it clear that OPEC has continued to play an active and constructive role in evolving solution to global environmental challenges right from the inception of climate change talks through all its various milestones.

“The same constructive agenda took OPEC to Rio for the Rio Summit; to New York where the UNFCCC was adopted; to the 1st COP meeting in Berlin; to Kyoto for the Kyoto Protocol and to Paris, where we joined in the global consensus and worked with Parties to midwife the Paris Agreement,” he noted.

He noted that the prevailing coronavirus pandemic has consistently deferred a robust platform for convergence on climate action strategies, pointing out that virtual discussions on the subject have been marred by imbalance in effective representation.

Inability of virtual delegates to reach decisions on strategies, Dr Barkindo argued, has caused additional pressure on efforts to address this issue, stressing the urgent need to forge inclusive collaboration among developed and developing countries on options available for reaching climate goals.

Dr Barkindo stated that reaching consensus on climate action entails “ensuring inclusive, pragmatic and holistic approaches to mitigate climate change, taking into account national circumstances and priorities, as well as the principles of equity and common-but-differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.”

He pointed out that OPEC members have made significant contributions to the dialogue and climate change initiatives, “including the Circular Carbon Economy and Green Initiatives, which can serve to enhance dialogue while addressing the pressing challenges the world faces today.”

In rallying oil dependent economies to advance their cases on climate action, Dr Barkindo charged Nigeria and other OPEC member countries to take a strong interest in this subject and remain informed and engaged in talks and decisions.

In citing guidance from the IPCC on climate action strategies, Dr Barkindo pointed out that many possible paths are being put forward for consideration to enable developing countries to obtain their climate goals.

He hinted that world governments could partner the petroleum industry developing technologies for emission reduction, saying that the industry has the requisite capacity to help transform the world’s use of energy.

On the part of the producer group, Dr Barkindo declared that “there are no climate deniers in OPEC and we are co-authors and partners in all of the agreements reached along the way.”

 “Our achievements speak for us! This includes a new initiative, the First Ministerial Roundtable on Energy, Climate Change and Sustainable Development for oil-producing countries, to take place on September 6 under the umbrella of the OPEC and non-OPEC Charter of Cooperation. This forum is meant to become a regular event that can aid in helping oil-producing countries to develop common positions on global environmental goals.

“OPEC’s current review of its Long-Term Strategy will also focus on environmental policies and climate actions and how these affect oil demand and the industry,” listed.

He pointed out that another key component of OPEC’s vision and historical success has always been dialogue, including the prevailing focus on environmental issues and climate change. He said that the concept of dialogue has expanded greatly over the past 20 years, “and most especially since the inception of the Declaration of Cooperation in 2016.”

“Dialogues have been established with key players in the petroleum market, both consumers and producers, such as the European Union, India, China, Russia, the US and Africa, along with think-tanks, academics and many others with a stake or a role to play.

He added that OPEC’s dialogue with stakeholders has branched out even more since the intensified focus on the energy transition.

“We must also remember that change also brings opportunity, and be prepared to embrace prospects,” he noted.