Campaigners 'losing trust in COP', says leading activist / Photo: © AFP/File
-
Suspended Thai PM in court for case seeking her ouster
-
Errani, Vavassori retain US Open mixed doubles title in revamped event
-
Surging tourism is polluting Antarctica, scientists warn
-
Ten Hag hoping for fresh start at rebuilding Leverkusen
-
Five players to watch at the Women's Rugby World Cup
-
Suarez fills Messi void as Inter Miami beat Tigres 2-1
-
Asian markets creep up as investors await key speech
-
New Zealand spy service warns of China interference
-
Brazil police accuse Bolsonaro and son of obstructing coup trial
-
Israel approves major West Bank settlement project
-
North Carolina braces for flooding from Hurricane Erin
-
Pensioners on the frontline of Argentina's fiery politics
-
'Curly is beautiful': Tunisian women embrace natural hair
-
Sudanese lay first bricks to rebuild war-torn Khartoum
-
Newcastle host Liverpool amid Isak stand-off, Spurs test new-look Man City
-
Texas Republicans advance map that reignited US redistricting wars
-
South Africa spinner Subrayen cited for suspect action
-
Meme-lord Newsom riles Republicans with Trump-trolling posts
-
Messi ruled out of Miami's Leagues Cup quarter-final v Tigres
-
Trump flirts with Ukraine security, with narrow margins
-
US sends three warships near Venezuela coast
-
Celtic held by Kairat Almaty in Champions League play-off
-
North Carolina braces for flooding from 'Enormous' Erin
-
Arsenal could hijack Spurs' bid for Palace star Eze - reports
-
Namibian Shalulile equals South African scoring record
-
PlayStation prices rise as US tariffs bite
-
Games publisher kepler on cloud nine after smash hits
-
Thirteen arrested over murders of Mexico City officials
-
Seville storms past Lyles for Lausanne 100m win
-
Google unveils latest Pixel phones packed with AI
-
Brazil records 65 percent drop in Amazon area burned by fire
-
Threat from massive western Canada wildfire eases
-
England women's rugby coach Mitchell says World Cup favourites' tag 'irrelevant'
-
US ramps up attack on international court over Israel
-
Palace transfer targets Eze and Guehi to start in European tie
-
North Carolina coasts prepare for flooding as Erin churns offshore
-
India test-fires ballistic missile ahead of US tariff hike
-
Antarctic climate shifts threaten 'catastrophic' impacts globally
-
Tall ships sail into Amsterdam for giant maritime festival
-
Trump raises pressure on central bank, calls for Fed governor to resign
-
Woods to head PGA Tour committee to overhaul golf
-
Google packs new Pixel phones with AI
-
How Europe tried to speak Trump
-
Ombudsman gives Gosden another International, Derby hero Lambourn loses
-
Eurovision returns to Vienna, 11 years after Conchita Wurst triumph
-
England expects at Women's Rugby World Cup as hosts name strong side for opener
-
Marseille's Rabiot, Rowe up for sale after 'extremely violent' bust-up: club president
-
French champagne harvest begins with 'promising' outlook
-
England unchanged for Women's Rugby World Cup opener against the USA
-
Stock markets diverge as traders eye US rate signals
NYSE - LSE
Campaigners 'losing trust in COP', says leading activist
Environmental campaigners are losing faith in the UN-led COP climate process after signs that a phase-out of fossil fuels may not be agreed in Dubai, a leading activist said on Tuesday.
Uganda's Vanessa Nakate, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, said activists were tired of being disappointed at the annual United Nations conferences to battle climate change.
She was speaking after the latest COP28 draft agreement dropped any mention of winding down fossil fuels, speaking only of a potential reduction in consumption and production.
"It can be tiring to keep coming to these places and to be constantly disappointed by the decisions that are made," the 27-year-old told a press conference.
"For this COP to be truly a success, it has to address fossil fuels.
"If leaders fail to address the root cause of the climate crisis after 28 years of climate conferences, then they aren't only failing us, but they're making us lose trust in the entire COP process."
Nakate's comments are reminiscent of 20-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who famously dismissed world leaders' promises on climate change as just "blah, blah, blah".
Thunberg, who in January said it was "ridiculous" that the United Arab Emirates' state oil company chief was the COP28 president, last attended a COP summit in 2021.
Some activists were in tears over the latest text. Joseph Sikulu of Pacific Island Warriors took several seconds to compose himself before addressing the press conference with tears rolling down his cheeks.
Nakate said: "What is happening here is unacceptable. What is happening is unjust. What is happening is unfair."
"This text that we saw yesterday is sinking the lifeboat for humanity," she added, calling it a "death sentence for communities".
"We know that in this case, there are over 2,400 fossil fuel lobbyists that have a lot of control and power over this process," said the Ugandan.
"And we must call out that sabotage, we must call out the power. We must hold the fossil fuel companies accountable for the climate crisis."
"Some people might say that if you are discussing how to cure malaria, you don't invite the mosquitoes," Nakate added.
R.Buehler--VB
