Arab Group rejects any COP29 text targeting fossil fuels

A Saudi official said Thursday that the 22-nation Arab Group would reject any UN climate deal that goes after fossil fuels at the COP29 talks in Azerbaijan.

The negotiations in Baku have centred on reaching a climate finance deal to help developing nations tackle global warming, but countries have also clashed over a push to renew a pledge to transition away from fossil fuels.

"The Arab Group will not accept any text that targets any specific sectors, including fossil fuel," Albara Tawfiq, a Saudi official speaking on behalf of the bloc, told delegates in Baku.

Last year's COP28 in Dubai produced a landmark agreement on "transitioning away from fossil fuels" following opposition from Saudi Arabia and the OPEC group of oil producers.

"We all know that there has been a backsliding. There has been an attempt to interpret what we agreed last year as a menu," Irish climate minister Eamon Ryan told reporters.

"That has to stop in the interests of the Arab group, too," he said.

Developed nations and countries vulnerable to climate impacts have pushed for the Dubai commitment to be reaffirmed at COP29.

"It is an embarrassment to all of us if we back away as climate impacts worsen all over the world," Tina Stege, climate envoy of the Marshall Islands, told delegates.

"We need to transition away from fossil fuels," she said.