The remarks, which were made by Al-Jaber during a live online event on Nov. 21, were described as "farcical" by climate scientists. Asked to respond to Al-Jaber's comments, Kerry replied, "That's not the argument." watch nowA spokesperson for COP28 wasn't immediately available to comment when asked about Al-Jaber's comments. A spokesperson for COP28 told The Guardian: "The IEA and IPCC 1.5C scenarios clearly state that fossil fuels will have to play a role in the future energy system, albeit a smaller one. A "phase out" commitment would likely require a shift away from fossil fuels until their use is eliminated, while a "phase down" could indicate a reduction in their use — but not an absolute end.

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