Africa backs Sultan Al Jaber is the right leader for Abu Dhabi UN Climate Conference (COP28) (by NJ Ayuk) World closer to widespread use of renewable energy

NJ Ayuk, Executive Director, African Energy Chamber (http://www.EnergyChamber.org)

The backlash about options in recent days sultan arjaberCEO ADNOC (ADNOC), as the next President UN climate conference (COP28) is very…dramatic.

The decision to put him in charge has been described as “a fox watching a henhouse”, asking “an arms dealer to lead peace talks”, and “putting the head of a tobacco company in charge of negotiating a treaty against smoking”.

Tasnim Essoexecutive director International Climate Action Networkfurther saying, “He cannot preside over a process designed to address the climate crisis with this conflict of interest, leading an industry that is accountable for the crisis itself. If he does not step down as CEO, it will amount to a full capture and Climate negotiations by a petro-state oil company and its associated fossil fuel lobbyists. “

Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty chair Tzeporah Berman told abc news Select Al Jaber to oversee COP28 It is “a devastating blow to climate negotiations at a critical moment in history”.

I could go on, but instead I want to describe why I think these views are wrong and why the African Energy Chamber supports Al Jaber’s choice.

Frankly, I’ve seen statements like this before, just about the “grave dangers posed by fossil fuels”, the “evils of the oil and gas industry”, and the need to protect vulnerable populations in Africa from continued oil and gas production ” and their role in triggering climate-related disasters.

I realized that the protests we saw in the case of Al Jaber were based on the belief that the oil industry and meaningful climate change prevention are like oil and water not to be confused.

But this assumption is wrong. We need both if we are to achieve a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. We will need fossil fuels to ensure energy security and drive industrialization in the developing world, even as the world struggles to integrate the investment, infrastructure and governance necessary to make a world powered by renewable energy work.

Al Jaber understands this.He has seen the painful consequences of giving up on fossil fuels too soon – just look at America’s energy crisis Europe – He called for a more pragmatic approach to protecting the world from climate change. He called for an approach that would not exacerbate energy poverty and impede economic growth. As he brilliantly wrote in August, “Our ultimate goal should be curbing emissions, not progress.”

Yes, Al Jaber is a leader in the oil and gas industry and ADNOC has no intention of shutting down any time soon. They shouldn’t. would be reckless. Norway and U.K. New oil drilling permits are being issued. But, then again, drilling is not an activity that environmental groups consider a world-threatening activity.and Jaber He is not only the leader of oil companies, but also the chairman of Masdar, a fast-growing global renewable energy company. He has also spoken out about the importance of drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Other than that, Al Jaber is a good guy and friend Africa. I’m sure he’s an excellent choice to lead COP28.

Bringing renewable energy to the world

Masdar, the renewable energy company led by Al Jaber, is an example of the important role the oil industry can play in moving the world closer to widespread use of renewable energy. The company was established with the goal of diversifying the United Arab Emirates”(United Arab Emirates) economic and energy sectors, whose shareholders include ADNOC, mubadala investment co.and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (decline).

Today, Masdar is active in more than 40 countries, investing in projects worth more than $20 billion.

Just in the past few weeks, a few examples of corporate impact include:

The company has signed an agreement with the following companies Kyrgyzstan The Department of Energy develops clean energy projects with a capacity of 1 gigawatt (GW). The first of these projects will be a 200 MW solar power plant, which will start operating in 2026.Masdar has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with four Dutch companies to explore the establishment of a Dutch. This is in line with Masdar’s plans to start focusing on green hydrogen to achieve 100 GW of renewable energy capacity and 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen production per year by 2030. Masdar signed a memorandum of understanding and a joint development agreement with the Zambian utility company, ZescoDevelop 2GW of solar photovoltaic power generation zambia. The first phase of the project is a 500MW large-scale solar photovoltaic project.Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema says the project with Masdar will provide $2 billion Capital flows to the country.also in January 18masdar with Ethiopia Jointly develop a 500MW solar project.

ADNOC has also demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting the environment. Earlier this year, it announced plans to invest Uzbekistan 15 billion by 2030 in decarbonization projects, including clean energy, carbon capture and storage, energy efficiency and reducing conventional gas flaring.

At the same time, Al Jaber has made his position on emissions and climate change clear: he recognizes the need to address global emissions.

“We’re off track,” Al Jaber said January 14 Hosted by Masdar during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. “When it comes to key, the world is catching up Paris The harsh reality is that global emissions must fall by 43% by 2030 to achieve this goal. “

Pragmatism is not our enemy

But Al Jaber is perfectly suited to serve as COP28 The president — and causing an uproar among environmental groups — doesn’t think the need to reduce global emissions leads to irrational decisions. He favors continuing to produce oil and gas for now, rather than a premature rush to renewables.

His position is based on a sound understanding of the implications of abandoning fossil fuels too quickly.

“Recent events have shown that shutting down the current energy system until we build a sufficiently robust alternative puts economic and climate progress at risk — and calls into question whether we can ensure a just transition that is fair for all,” Al Jaber blogged Wrote the August column.

“What we need is a realistic new strategy that is practical, pro-growth and pro-climate,” he continued. “The strategy needs to recognize the complexity of energy and industrial systems, and the magnitude of the transformation required, requiring greater coordination and collaboration in everything from capital allocation to product design, public policy and behavioral change. This means examining first It is the demand side of the energy system.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

But I would add that intense pressure from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to invest in oil and gas projects on the continent is holding back Africa’s energy sector and its potential to reduce energy poverty and drive economic growth.

This United Arab Emirates It made a wise choice when it chose Al Jaber to lead COP28I hope it doesn’t make environmental groups louder or force it to change course. Africa firmly support United Arab Emirates We’ll start with Africa Energy Week cape town arrive COP28 in Abu Dhabi.

Distributor APO Group On behalf of the African Energy Chamber.

© African News Organization, source Press release