The government has found itself between a fossil and a green place. Last week, Energy Minister Stuart Young joined other energy-producing countries at the Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Cairo, Egypt, to discuss the future of gas.
But just days from now the government will be back in Egypt as world leaders gather for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27) that seeks to reduce energy outputs and funding towards its production.
T&T has long been trying to please both sides even though the gap between environment and energy advocates widens.
We once championed climate change efforts in 2009 by hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting as a forerunner to the Copenhagen Accord that same year.
To show our strong position, the government welcomed France’s President Nicholas Sarkozy who came here urging leaders to embrace climate change discussions, as Copenhagen was about to prepare the world for the Paris Agreement a few years later.
From such a strong position, we are today sending mixed messages.
At last year’s climate change conference in Glasgow, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley warned about the impact of rising temperatures and sea levels on small islands and committed T&T to 30 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
But on his return, he also warned of the dangers of what was being asked, including for major banks to significantly cut funding for energy exploration and production investments, for nations to commit to reduced energy imports and for penalties to go along with them.
It was a caution in the interest of T&T’s economy that continues today.
Weeks ago Dr Rowley was again warning that if T&T’s natural gas prospects do not improve in the next few years, it will have far-reaching consequences for Government revenues and for the quality of life of all citizens. The government is actively seeking far more exploration and production.
T&T’s pro-fossil fuel stance was echoed by Young at the GECF last week, telling them that “natural gas must continue to play a role in energy and food security which are top priorities globally.”
But seeking middle ground, he also urged the GECF to “responsibly carry the narrative globally, especially with COP 27 approaching, as to how we can use technology and responsibly continue to develop the natural resources.”
The GECF later issued a statement that included a rejection of “misguided calls to stop investing in natural gas projects”.
It said when COP 28 is held next year in a GECF country, the United Arab Emirates, it will “present a great opportunity to make a case for gas in the energy transition as well as to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
CARICOM is, of course, speaking a different language.
In a statement on Friday after a meeting of environment ministers, it complained that little was being done to tackle the fossil fuel problem.
“There is emergent information that fossil fuel subsidies have continued to increase amongst the Group of 20 as a whole and that the Group of Seven is considering new investments in coal and gas which represent a reversal of commitments under the Pact,” it noted.
It expressed serious concern that halving emissions by 2030 will be compromised to the detriment of regional countries and the world.
T&T, therefore, is on a sticky wicket.
While the views of the GECF are more aligned with our economic future, we are part of an island grouping that is more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than most of the world.
Finding the right balance will require tough decisions.
As we head into the second side of these Egypt talks, the government, therefore, will find increased pressure to be clearer on which of these two Egypt conferences truly defines us and path the best way forward, accordingly.
