COP26: Greenpeace accuses oil-rich Saudi Arabia of blocking climate negotiations
- Government representatives from Riyadh opposed the ‘cover decision’ for the final text on Friday evening, a Greenpeace representative said
- Saudi Arabia, which has an economy based entirely on oil exports, has a veto power because decisions at COP26 must be unanimous
Greenpeace has accused the oil-rich kingdom of Saudi Arabia of trying to block the negotiations at the COP26 world climate conference in Glasgow.
Government representatives from Riyadh opposed the “cover decision” for the final text on Friday evening, Greenpeace International Executive Director Jennifer Morgan complained on Sunday.
“The cover decision is the top line message coming out of a COP that signals what the final outcome means for the world and is a vital part of any successful summit,” a Greenpeace statement said.
“Lack of progress on adaptation would make it difficult for vulnerable countries, including the African block of nations, to embrace any final agreement, making success at COP26 less likely,” the statement said.
Morgan said such strategic manoeuvres by the authoritarian-ruled Gulf state were “cynical,” but well known. “Saudi Arabia is making its play. They are at the chess board, manipulating the pieces in an effort to stop an outcome that keeps 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach.”
Morgan called on the governments of the around other countries represented at the summit to isolate the Saudi Arabian delegation.
The country, which has an economy based entirely on oil exports, has a veto power, however, because decisions at COP26 must be unanimous.
The conference ends on November 12.
