The criticisms had already started at the conclusion of the previous climate summit, when the presidency of Sultan Al Jaber was announced. “The United States and European countries find it inconceivable for an ‘oil man’ to chair a climate summit,” says Beekhuis. “In January the American Congress asked for a replacement and in February a small resistance movement arose in the European Parliament.”
‘In January the US Congress asked for a replacement, in February there was resistance from Europe’
And now both parliaments have joined forces by jointly signing a letter of objection. According to Beekhuis, this is a follow-up to what happened at the last climate summit in Egypt, where 600 oil lobbyists were invited. Those same lobbyists were banned from the Glasgow climate summit in 2021. “And in 2023, in addition to 600 lobbyists, there would also be an oil industry president.”
Political problem
Beekhuis argues that this is primarily a political issue. For now, there would be no objection from science to an oil industry president. Left-wing parties in particular seem to have problems with Al Jaber. “US Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, among others, signed the letter,” Beekhuis said. “You expect that from that kind of leftist, green politician.”
Especially since, according to Beekhuis, it is very decisive which country actually organizes the climate summit. For example, the summit in Egypt did not receive good “figures” later, while the climate summit in Glasgow started when all the political processes had already been completed. “And a lot has been done there,” Beekhuis says. ‘Who does it is therefore decisive.’