Climate activists reject appointment of Abu Dhabi oil chief as COP28 chair

Climate activists and environmental groups reject ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber as president United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on January 12 that the head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Mr. Al Jaber, will chair the 28th United Nations global climate change conference – COP28, scheduled for November 30 From 12 December to 12 December, in the UAE.

But the decision has drawn backlash from climate activists and environmentalists who say Mr Al Jaber’s ties to ADNOC will hinder progress on global commitments to phase out fossil fuels.

In reaction to the development, anti-fossil fuel network Oilwatch described Mr Al Jaber’s appointment as a “clear sign of climate change denial”.

“Oilwatch expresses displeasure with the choice of the head of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to host COP28. Past COPs have featured representatives from the fossil fuel industry represents the domineering existence.

Each year, any country hosting a COP is expected to elect a president to preside over the conference’s plenary sessions, set the agenda, drive ambition internationally, lead formal negotiations and take the lead in overseeing the COP’s overall goals and functions as stated by the parties.

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Climate activists and environmentalists claim that the appointment of an oil company chief as COP chair means that the upcoming climate talks are “compromised” before they even begin. They also called on Mr Al-Jaber to resign before assuming the presidency of COP28.

“With the oil chief announcing his chairmanship of the COP, it is clear that COP28 is highly compromised,” the Oilwatch online statement read.

“The appointment of Sultan Al Jaber as UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), the world’s twelfth largest oil company by production, will surely lock down mistakes and errors in the UNFCCC process. Risky solution.”

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“The COP aims to address global warming, not exacerbate it,” the statement added.

The Oilwatch Network expressed concern about the increased representation of the fossil fuel sector at the COP, as the world grapples against fossil fuel exploration in an effort to reverse the devastating effects of climate change on global communities.

At COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, the sector (oil and gas) was represented more than any other country, according to the statement.

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Based on this, the group said that having the head of an oil company chair any COP is a form of climate change denial, and that Al-Jaber’s appointment comes at a time when the world should be doing everything it can to switch from fossil fuels to renewables. Clearly demonstrated denial of climate change.

“The last two COPs have been attended with representatives from the fossil fuel industry who have been held accountable for blocking real climate action or undermining negotiations,” said Nnimmo Bassey, a member of the Oilwatch International Steering Committee.

Mr Bassey said their large presence prevented the COP from calling for a phase-out of fossil fuels, even though it would be sensible.

“Now, the UAE is spitting on flooding, drowning and other climate-affected countries by appointing the chief among the polluters to host COP28,” Mr Brazil added.

“We call on the UAE to rescind this appointment. It is time to kick the polluters out of the COP, not to make them the main leaders of the conference. If they maintain this appointment, the COP will win the Polluter Conference title.”

Likewise, Salome Nduta, Oilwatch’s Africa coordinator, said the appointment of a sheikh of Abu Dhabi, or anyone interested in oil, would certainly kill real discussion about environmental protection.

She described the move as a “deliberate attempt” to reverse the meager gains made so far, and that oil companies, major polluters and rights violators, should not be judged against it.

“Delegating their own people is a flagrant violation of rights and a conflict of interest,” she added.

In his reaction, Kentebe Ebiraidor, coordinator of Oilwatch International, said that it was interesting to have the chairman of a multinational company host COP28.

This, he said, showed that discussions at COP28 would be centered on profits over people, a clear sign that COP28 was doomed before it even started.

“It also clearly shows that the community and the environment will be affected by the decisions made in the discussions which will never make sense and will not benefit the people. Oilwatch International demands that the UAE reverse its decision by replacing the COP President, ’ he pointed out.