EMISSIONS from government officials’ return flights to Dubai for COP28 will be offset through donations to various projects – including those which provide solar cookers for refugees and carry out landfill gas extraction.
Chief Minister Kristina Moore and Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf, accompanied by two officers, are this week representing Jersey at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai.
In a note to the media, the government said that they were using “verified offsets for the emissions from the return-flights to Dubai”.
Following further queries, the JEP has learnt that the offsets have been purchased through an airline’s partner organisation, and only projects with Gold Standard (certification for the voluntary carbon market) offset verification have been selected.
These include providing solar cookers for refugees, promoting improved cooking practices, landfill gas extraction and electricity generation.
Islanders levied criticism on social media over the weekend, including former States Member Ben Shenton, who wrote: “In terms of population Jersey is slightly smaller than the town of Wakefield in Yorkshire.
“We are sending two ministers plus back-up staff to the COP summit in Dubai to join other influential world leaders. This is becoming beyond a joke. Completely delusional and a waste of money.”
Deputy Philip Ozouf responded to the criticism, suggesting that Islanders should back Deputies Moore and Renouf, saying: “Small islands have a responsibility to deliver net zero too.
“The serious issues of climate change are affecting many small states. We need to unite with them and support.”
Deputy Moore explained the reason for the trip to Dubai, saying: “Jersey takes its climate emergency responsibilities seriously and is committed, in line with the Paris Agreement, to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
“Attending COP28 gives our Island the opportunity to again contribute, on the international stage, to much-needed co-ordinated long-term action.”
This comes at a time when the government is yet to publish details of ministerial travel and spending for the 12 months to the end of June 2023, despite repeated requests from the JEP.
The report was due to be published in March this year, before being delayed to July and then September. It is now nine months overdue.
Chief Minister Kristina Moore came under fire earlier this year for a £14,000-trip to the Rwandan capital, Kigali, for a ‘Women Deliver’ conference.
COP28 sees nations and jurisdictions collaborate to address pressing climate issues and work towards sustainable solutions.
This is the third time that Jersey has attended COP, having previously been invited to COP26 in Glasgow and COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh.
