Emirati emissions: shock revelations at COP28
Al Gore raises major concerns about UAE greenhouse gas emissions at COP28, denouncing the impact of Adnoc.
| Countries cited | Émirats arabes unis |
|---|---|
| Companies cited | Adnoc |
| Sector | Pétrole & Gaz |
| Theme | Géopolitique & Sécurité / Sécurité énergétique |
| Energy Plan | — |
At COP28 in Dubai, Al Gore targeted the United Arab Emirates’ greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting in particular the carbon footprint of Adnoc, the national oil company. Presenting data from Climate TRACE, it revealed significant CO2 and methane emissions, often invisible in ordinary statistical reports.
Advanced Emissions Tracking Technology
Climate TRACE uses 300 satellites and artificial intelligence to accurately detect greenhouse gas emissions. This technology offers a clearer view of true emissions, unlike traditional statistical estimates. Data for 2022 show a 7.54% increase in emissions in the United Arab Emirates compared with 2021.
Commitments and Contrasting Realities
Although Adnoc has made commitments to reduce methane emissions by 2025, data from Climate TRACE suggests that gas leaks still exist. Al Gore did, however, welcome the initiative by 50 oil companies, including Adnoc, to reduce their methane leaks.
Overall increase in emissions
According to Climate TRACE, global greenhouse gas emissions reached 58.5 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2022, marking a 1.5% increase on 2021. Five countries, including China, the United States, India, Indonesia and Russia, are responsible for the majority of this increase.
Al Gore concluded his presentation by urging a rapid transition to renewable energies, away from fossil fuels. This declaration was warmly applauded, underlining the urgent need to act in the face of the climate crisis.
