jfid – Dubai, UAE – The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (COP28) High-Level Conference taking place in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), hosting from November 30 to December 12, 2023, was supposed to be a platform for discussing urgent climate crisis mitigation strategies.
However, a BBC investigative report reveals that the COP28 host is attempting to leverage climate negotiations for commercial deals with foreign oil and gas companies.
BBC discloses leaked documents prepared by the UAE COP28 team for the summit’s President, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who is also the CEO of ADNOC and Masdar, the state-owned oil and renewable energy company.
These documents outline discussion points for meetings with 20 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, regarding collaboration opportunities in fossil fuels and recent energy developments.
An example mentioned is a discussion point for the meeting with China, stating that ADNOC is willing to jointly assess international LNG (liquefied natural gas) opportunities in Mozambique, Canada, and Australia.
Other discussion points for meetings with Colombia, Germany, and Egypt suggest that ADNOC is “ready” to support any country in developing fossil fuel projects.
These documents raise suspicions that the UAE, one of the world’s top 10 oil-producing countries, may not be genuinely committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a major driver of climate change.
Oil, gas, and coal are fossil fuels that release carbon dioxide when burned for energy.
Scientists warn that limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is crucial to avoid irreversible adverse effects.
A COP28 spokesperson denies the BBC report, stating that the quoted documents are “inaccurate and will not be used in the meeting.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expresses disbelief in the accuracy of the report.
However, climate activists remain skeptical and criticize Al Jaber’s role as the head of an oil company planning to expand its production capacity.
“It’s like appointing the CEO of a tobacco company to oversee a conference on cancer treatment,” says the campaign organization 350.org.
The organization demands Al Jaber’s resignation as COP28 president, advocating for a more neutral and independent replacement.
Al Jaber defends himself, claiming he was intentionally chosen to drive action from the oil and gas industry, the sector most responsible for emissions.
He emphasizes his experience in developing environmentally friendly technologies, such as wind and solar power, through the renewable energy company Masdar.
“Everyone should be part of this process, and everyone should be responsible, and everyone should be accountable,” he says.
However, does Al Jaber’s statement suffice to convince the world that the UAE is genuinely addressing the climate crisis?
Can the UAE be trusted as an impartial and unbiased COP28 host?
Will the UAE sacrifice humanity’s long-term interests for the short-term gains of the oil and gas industry?
These questions remain open, awaiting responses from the UAE and COP28 participants, while time continues to pass and the Earth continues to warm.
