The president of the UN’s COP28 climate conference has said that he sees a future for fossil fuels – even as scientists say the world must rapidly transition to clean energy – in remarks that have raised concerns about a backsliding on climate commitments.

Sultan Al Jaber, who will oversee the UN’s COP28 climate summit in Dubai in November, called for a focus on technologies to capture the planet-heating pollution produced by coal, oil and gas.

“We know that fossil fuels will continue to play a role in the foreseeable future in helping meet global energy requirements,” said Al Jaber, speaking on Wednesday at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, a conference attended by representatives from around 40 countries to help set the agenda for COP28.

He said that the world needed “to come to terms with some realities” and embrace an energy transition that includes “all sources of energy.”

“Our aim should be focused on ensuring that we phase out emissions from all sectors,” added Al Jaber.

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