OPEC faced criticism from activists and the High Ambition Coalition after urging its members to oppose a fossil fuel phase-out at the COP28 conference. The letter sent by OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais expressed concern about the draft deal that included options for a phase-out of fossil fuels. The High Ambition Coalition, consisting of various nations, emphasized the need for a phase-out of fossil fuels to address the climate crisis.
In the letter sent Wednesday, Ghais said it "seems that the undue and disproportionate pressure against fossil fuels may reach a tipping point with irreversible consequences, as the draft decision still contains options on fossil fuels phase out". He urged the 23 members and allies to "proactively reject any text or formula that targets energy i.e. fossil fuels rather than emissions".