The UAE's COP28 president told former President of Ireland Mary Robinson that there is no science to show that phasing out fossil fuels would achieve the world's climate goals, but acknowledged that it is "inevitable".
Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber - who also heads state oil giant ADNOC - made the comments during a heated exchange with Mrs Robinson during an online forum last month.
The 50-year-old, who is also the United Arab Emirates' climate envoy, added that removing fossil fuels would take the world "back into caves".
"I'm not in any way signing up to a discussion that is alarmist," Sultan Al-Jaber told the SHE Changes Climate online conference on 21 November.
During the online debate, Mrs Robinson told Sultan Al-Jaber the world is in "an absolute crisis that is hurting women more than anyone, women and children, the elderly, and those with disability and those most vulnerable."
The former President of Ireland said that crisis exists "because we have not yet committed to phasing out fossil fuel. That is the one decision that COP28 can take under your presidency".
"And in many ways, because you're head of the Abu Dhabi national oil company, you could actually take it with more credibility by saying 'I now recognise we have to phase out fossil fuel with just transition for the workers and their communities, and just transition into renewable, accessible, affordable and clean energy’.
"It's not going to happen overnight. As you say, it will be orderly but urgent. I didn't hear the word urgent enough in your voice when you spoke earlier. That's why I kind of interrupted," the chair of the Elders group added.
Sultan Al-Jaber responded by saying "I said fast-track. I'm not sure what urgent means if fast-track is not good enough".
The President of COP28 then said: "I accepted to come to this meeting to have a sober and a mature conversation. I’m not in any way signing up to any discussion that is alarmist. I am here factual and I respect the science."
He then insisted that there is "no science out there, or no scenario out there, that says that the phase-out of fossil fuel is what’s going to achieve 1.5" degrees.
The landmark 2015 Paris climate conference outlined the goal of restricting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels to avoid catastrophic environmental fallout.
"1.5 is my North Star and a phase-down and a phase-out of fossil fuels in my mind is inevitable, it's essential. But we need to be real, serious and pragmatic about it," he said.
Mrs Robinson challenged him, saying: "I read that your company is investing in a lot more fossil fuel in the future."
Sutan Al-Jaber told the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights she was wrong.
"You’re reading your own media, which is biased and wrong. I am telling you I am the man in charge."
"Please help me, show me the roadmap for a phase-out of fossil fuel that will allow for sustainable socioeconomic development, unless you want to take the world back into caves," he added.
Mrs Robinson replied: "I think we can."
The sultan later interrupted another speaker to say: "I don’t think Mary will be able to help solve the climate problem by pointing fingers or contributing to the polarisation and the divide that is already happening in the world.
"What we need here are solutions. Show me the solutions. Stop pointing fingers. Show me solutions. Show me what you can do. Show me your own contributions and I will salute you for it. Stop the pointing of fingers. Stop it," Sultan Al-Jaber said.
Specifying a "phase-out" or weaker "phase-down" of fossil fuels is one of the main battles facing negotiators at COP28 in Dubai, where they will try to reach a new agreement to deal with global warming.
A spokesperson for COP28 has described the coverage of the exchange between Mary Robinson and Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber as "another attempt to undermine the Presidency's agenda."
In a statement, the spokesperson said the Presidency’s agenda "has been clear and transparent and backed by tangible achievements by the COP President and his team."
"The COP President was unwavering in saying reaching 1.5c involves action across a number of areas and sectors. The COP President is clear that phasing down and out of fossil fuels is inevitable and that we must keep 1.5C within reach," the statement added.
The COP spokesperson said: "We are not sure what this story was supposedly revealing. Nothing in it is new or breaking news."
"As COP28 continues this week, the COP President is focused on working with parties to deliver a plan that will deliver maximum transition and minimal disruption for everyone in the world."
The spokesperson added: "he has repeatedly communicated our position on fossil fuels and invited all parties to work together and come up with solutions that can achieve alignment, common ground and consensus."
"Once again, we are excited with the progress we have made so far and for the delivery of an ambitious GST decision. Attempts to undermine this will not soften our resolve."
Additional reporting: AFP
