OPEC General Secy Orders Members To Opppose Any COP Proposals To Limit Fossil Fuel Productions

[hatrack]

The head of the OPEC oil cartel, alarmed that nations gathered at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai are considering an agreement to phase out fossil fuels, has directed the group’s members to scuttle any deal that would affect the continued production and sales of oil, gas and coal. In a letter dated Dec. 6, Haitham Al-Ghais, secretary general of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, warned all members that there was rising pressure at the summit to target fossil fuels. He called those plans “politically motivated campaigns” against oil-rich nations that put “our people’s prosperity and future at risk.”

“It seems that the undue and disproportionate pressure against fossil fuels may reach a tipping point with irreversible consequences,” Mr. Al-Ghais wrote. The letter was sent to top ministers in all 13 OPEC countries as well as 10 additional nations in an expanded group known as OPEC Plus, which includes Russia. He urged the petroleum producers to “reject any text or formula that targets energy i.e. fossil fuels rather than emissions.”

Emissions from the burning of fossil fuels are dangerously heating the planet. The fossil fuel industry has sought to frame the problem as one of emissions; if the greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane could be contained or removed from the atmosphere, the world could continue to burn oil, gas and coal, they argue. Others say that is technically impossible at the moment and fossil fuels must be replaced with solar, wind and other renewable energy. The OPEC letter, which was first reported by Reuters, is significant because, under U.N. rules, any agreement forged at the climate summit must be unanimously endorsed. Any of the 198 participating nations can thwart a deal.

EDIT

The oil cartel set up a pavilion at the summit for the first time this year, in a far corner of the grounds. Its space was no larger than a modest studio apartment, with a handful of chairs arranged for small-scale speaking events. Most of the space appeared devoted to sharing a wide range of facts about petroleum products. On a visit last week as the conference was opening, two OPEC staff members were arranging and handing out booklets focused on oil and gas drilling. A digital screen on the wall ticked through production levels for various member countries. Visitors were few, but those who stopped by were offered complimentary chocolate and pens, with OPEC branding.

EDIT

Ed - This is how the world ends, with tasty free chocolates and complimentary branded pens.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/08/climate/opec-cop28-climate-oil.html

[ExciteBike66]

1. Odd that OPEC limits oil production all the time

And yet is now saying it doesn't want limits on oil production?

[Firestorm49]

2. As usual, and please forgive me if I am in err, but when a major issue, one which affects our very future, comes

forward and up against seriously big money, it’s a daunting task. Until we start to literally fry out in the streets, big money interests will rule. To say that we have a major challenge is an understatement, as was stated in another OP on this site today. For now, hope, as helpless as it may be, is our only ally. Yes, we must remain diligent and fight like a junk yard dog, but to me at this point it still appears that we are pissing into the wind. How many of us will be an “acceptable loss” before we wake up?

It rocks my butt that with an issue as serious as our very survival, that we are still even debating the sustainability of fossil fuels.

[modrepub]

4. The M$M For The Most Part Missed The Battle

In the 80s and 90s the rhetorical battle over Climate Change or Global Warming was waged between the oil industry and the insurance industry. These were the 2 major players who had most at stake in the policy decisions that could have been implemented. Sorry, scientists were largely support players in this battle.

In the end, the oil companies won. The insurance industry really had less to loose. Yes, they are still exposed to increased losses due to extremes in the weather due to increased greenhouse gas levels but they found a new home for their expertise; managing all the wealth that has been generated over the last few decades from the growing social media and tech universes. They don't need the aggravation of insuring properties that are exposed to the effects of greenhouse gas increases.

In truth, the political parties will make sure they rob Peter to pay Paul instead of letting the unfettered insurance market correct for these changes. You want to build or live in flood prone areas or fire prone areas? So be it, find a bank who'll back your mortgage without state or federal subsidized insurance.

In the long run, this planet is going to change. Whether we and our civilization can adapt fast enough or even start down a different path that is much less dependent on petroleum and/or natural gas is another matter. In truth, the climate record shows Earth has gone through much warmer periods than we have experienced now and some form of life always managed to survive.

[Think. Again.]

3. Why, the f*ck, is OPEC allowed anywhere near COP?