[ad_1]
This united arab emirates will launch its chair of global climate talks on Thursday, with the head of its national oil company likely to play a starring role.
Sultan Al Jaber has served as the country’s climate envoy and is the head of the National Bank of Abu Dhabi Oil The company (Adnoc) is the twelfth largest oil company in the world (by production) and is expected to play a key role as chairman of the talks.
He is also the UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Masdarfocusing on renewable energy.
The Cop28 UN climate summit in Dubai on November 30 will be key meeting, to determine whether the world is on track to tackle the climate crisis.This year, countries must conduct a “global stocktake,” assessing The state of climate action and in implementing Goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement.
While some countries have submitted national plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are consistent with the Paris Agreement’s ambition to limit global heating to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, Many of the world’s largest emitters aren’t doing itjeopardizing climate goals.
One of the presidency’s duties is to hold these recalcitrant governments accountable, but many observers worry that the UAE, as a major oil producer with close ties to others such as Saudi Arabia, would not accept them.
At Cop27 held in Egypt last November, there were Dozens of oil and gas lobbyists from the UAEwhile Gulf states with strong oil and gas interests are seen as one of the obstacles preventing stronger rhetoric on phasing down fossil fuels.
A Veteran of the Talks, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “[Al Jaber] across two worlds. One of the climate negotiations, we have to take a giant leap forward in reducing emissions and funding the move away from fossil fuel emissions; and the second, as the head of Adnoc. The UAE wants to be seen as a leader in food, technology, adaptation and potentially innovative finance, but how do they achieve this while being a fossil fuel polluter? “
Some civil society activists call on Al Jaber to ditch his fossil fuel role to take on COP28 presidency.
Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of the International Climate Action Network, said: “[If Al Jaber is appointed president of Cop28, it will be] It is imperative to reassure the world that he is stepping down as chief executive of Adnoc. He cannot preside over a process aimed at addressing the climate crisis with such a conflict of interest and lead an industry that is accountable for the crisis itself. “
She warned: “If he doesn’t resign as CEO it will be tantamount to a full-scale occupation of the UN climate talks by the oil state Petronas and its associated fossil fuel lobbyists.” Cop26 in Glasgow has 500 fossil fuel lobbyists Attendance, Cop26 attendance in Egypt increased by 25%, and Cop28 now seems to be an open season for vested interests who will undoubtedly use the climate negotiations to continue to undermine any progress on climate. As civil society, we [will] Ask Al Jaber to do the right thing by stepping aside or stepping down. “
Al Jaber, 49, was educated in the US and UK and has been described by those at the climate talks as charming and intelligent. Although he helped establish Masdar in 2006, Invest heavily in solarhis role as chief executive of the Petronas group means he is also responsible for earning as much money as possible for the UAE from oil production.
In an interview with the National newspaper in the Gulf last SeptemberAhead of Cop27, Al Jaber made the case for transitioning away from fossil fuels, but noted that oil and gas will still be needed for years to come.
“Policymakers are starting to understand that the energy transition will not happen with the flick of a switch,” he told the paper. “You need to maintain the current system, while the world still depends on it, and reduce its emissions, while driving investment in new energy sources. Innovative climate action, including the rapid adoption of renewables and other low-carbon resources, has the potential to deliver long-lasting energy Safe. But we’re not there yet.”
The UAE has sought to present itself as a modern oil producer, improving the efficiency of its production methods and investing in renewable energy. However, many question whether even innovative petro-economies can wave the banner of a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels to stay within the increasingly fragile 1.5C target.
[ad_2]
Source link