The issue of fossil fuels has taken center stage at this year's COP28 climate talks, marking a significant departure from past negotiations where they were largely absent despite being a major contributor to global warming. The talks, being held in a region known for its top oil and gas producers, have intensified the debate around the phasing out of fossil fuels.

With the conclusion of the talks looming, officials are working diligently to draft a statement that can garner support from the nearly 200 participating countries. The UAE presidency of COP28 is tasked with finding common ground and consensus among the nations. Draft text options put forward over the weekend proposed various ways to "phase out" fossil fuels, but all came with differing conditions.

However, resistance to such language has come from Saudi Arabia and the Arab negotiators, who have voiced their concerns during the closed-door discussions. In fact, it has been reported that they even walked out of one meeting room in protest. One observer, granted anonymity, revealed this development, shedding light on the contentious nature of the negotiations.

In a public session on Sunday, Albara Tawfiq, representing Saudi Arabia, highlighted their consistent concerns regarding attacks on energy sources rather than emissions. This sentiment was echoed by OPEC Secretary-General Haitham Al Ghais, who expressed the goal of reducing emissions while ensuring energy security and universal access to affordable energy. Al Ghais's comments were made in Dubai on Saturday and reference the 2015 Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming.

Even before the start of COP28, it was well-known that gaining Saudi Arabia's support for a fossil fuel phaseout would be immensely challenging. Despite efforts to diversify their economy, oil remains crucial to the Saudi economy.

As the talks enter their final stages, it remains to be seen if a compromise can be reached. The delicate balancing act between addressing global emissions and ensuring energy security proves to be a significant stumbling block. With the clock ticking, the world waits to see if a consensus can emerge from COP28 and if fossil fuel phaseout can become an integral part of the global climate agenda.