popular articles

To make COP28 a success, its president plays the realistic card

Sultan al-Jaber, Emirati President of COP28, unveils a pragmatic and ambitious vision for the global energy transition. In an exclusive interview, he sets out his objectives, calls for concerted action and defends the role of nuclear power.
COP28

Please share:

Sultan al-Jaber, the Emirati chairman of the most important international climate conference since the one that delivered the Paris Agreement, has a simple answer when asked when the world will burn its last drop of oil: when there is enough low-carbon energy to replace it.

COP28: the need for a gradual transition to low-carbon energies

“We can’t put an end to the current energy system before we’ve built the energy system of tomorrow,” he replied in an interview with AFP in Brussels.

In a speech to European and Chinese ministers at COP28, which opens in Dubai on November 30, the Emirati oil company boss outlined his objectives for the first time.

To those who hope that the world will call for an exit from oil and gas, he replies that their reduction is “inevitable” and “essential”, but that realism forbids doing without them overnight. He even talks about an energy “shortage” at the moment. “We have to keep in mind that 800 million people don’t have access to electricity today”, he says, “we don’t want to create an energy crisis”. “I don’t have a magic wand, and I don’t want to invent dates that aren’t justified,” he points out, assuring us that no one is in a position to put forward a precise date for phasing out fossil fuels.

COP28 President’s pragmatic vision: expertise in fossil and renewable energies

The reasoning is pragmatic for the man who is both an expert in fossil fuels and renewable energies, as head of the national company Adnoc, and founder of the national renewable energies company, Masdar. Sultan al-Jaber, who has also led his country’s delegation at a dozen COPs, vehemently rejects recurring accusations of environmentalist bias, as Adnoc plans to develop new oil fields.

“It’s not a conflict of interest, it’s our common interest to have someone who comes from business,” he continues, noting that he is COP’s first patron president. “It’s even motivating, to prove to the world that someone with my experience can come up with something completely different”.

The ambitious objectives of COP28: towards a global energy transition and concerted action

On Thursday, he unveiled objectives that seem to outline the framework for a major agreement at COP28, for which he clearly wants to renew the genre. The last two editions have ended in a diplomatic pugilism between those who want to see a move away from fossil fuels and the oil-producing countries of the Gulf and the United States. He wants to combine the commitments of States under the aegis of the UN with those of industry and the private sector, which he intends to give a large place to in Dubai. He expects 70,000 participants, twice as many as past major COPs.

“We must do everything we can to keep the 1.5°C within reach”, insists Sultan al-Jaber, referring to the maximum warming target set by the Paris Agreement. “I have no doubt that we will be able to produce a concrete result” at the end of a COP “focused on action (…) and supported by the private sector and private capital”. Among the concrete targets proposed on Thursday: triple the world’s renewable energy capacity to 11,000 gigawatts by 2030, double energy efficiency improvements by 2030, and double hydrogen production by 2030. Targets to which the European Union, which almost slammed the door on COP27 in Egypt, is already largely committed.

The key role of pre-COP28 climate commitments: Sultan al-Jaber’s call for stronger action

“I’m very optimistic,” sums up Sultan al-Jaber, who sprinkles his words with “results”, “actions” and “key performance indicators”. The 49-year-old engineer also unhesitatingly defends nuclear power: “a safe, sustainable, low-carbon source of electricity, which can be a very robust bridge in this transition”.

For the first time, a global assessment of countries’ climate commitments, due in September, will precede the COP. We already know what it will conclude: despite all the grand promises of carbon neutrality, the plans actually adopted are insufficient to limit global warming. Sultan al-Jaber, always keen to be seen in action, therefore wrote on Thursday to all the countries taking part in the COPs, publicly calling on them to revise their climate plans upwards “by September, to bring them into line with the Paris Agreement”.

The same day, the United Arab Emirates published their own updated plan. In a few days’ time, the experts at Climate Action Tracker will say whether this improves the Emirates’ rating, which until now has been in the “highly unsatisfactory” category.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

The U.S. government plans a new oil lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a Congress-mandated initiative sharply criticized for its environmental impacts.
The collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime has prompted reactions in oil markets, with a moderate rise in prices. The geopolitical implications for the region and their effects on energy supplies remain uncertain.
The collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime has prompted reactions in oil markets, with a moderate rise in prices. The geopolitical implications for the region and their effects on energy supplies remain uncertain.
Faced with weakened demand, Saudi Aramco lowers its official selling prices for Arab Light crude destined for Asia, reaching levels not seen since January 2021. A decision influenced by global dynamics and uncertain market prospects.
Faced with weakened demand, Saudi Aramco lowers its official selling prices for Arab Light crude destined for Asia, reaching levels not seen since January 2021. A decision influenced by global dynamics and uncertain market prospects.
Russian Gas: Putin Expands Payment Options Amid US Sanctions
Russian Gas: Putin Expands Payment Options Amid US Sanctions
The U.S. administration urges international partners to unite against Iran-backed Houthis responsible for massive attacks on ships in the strategic Red Sea region. Military, economic, and diplomatic stakes are intensifying.
The EU-Mercosur agreement promises strategic access to critical resources for green energy. However, it raises concerns about deforestation and pressures on biodiversity, potentially compromising Europe’s climate commitments.
The EU-Mercosur agreement promises strategic access to critical resources for green energy. However, it raises concerns about deforestation and pressures on biodiversity, potentially compromising Europe’s climate commitments.
OPEC+ adopts online meetings, centralizing the decision-making process. This transition raises questions about transparency and tensions among producers facing increasing pressure in the oil market.
OPEC+ adopts online meetings, centralizing the decision-making process. This transition raises questions about transparency and tensions among producers facing increasing pressure in the oil market.
Orano loses control of its subsidiary in Niger: 1,150 tons of uranium blocked
Orano loses control of its subsidiary in Niger: 1,150 tons of uranium blocked
Several agreements have been concluded between French and Saudi companies in renewable energy, waste management, and technological innovations, consolidating diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations.
Qatar will invest one billion pounds in climate technologies in the United Kingdom, an agreement hailed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a "significant step forward" during the official visit of Emir Al-Thani.
Qatar will invest one billion pounds in climate technologies in the United Kingdom, an agreement hailed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a "significant step forward" during the official visit of Emir Al-Thani.
A leak detected on a branch of the Druzhba pipeline in Poland reignites debates on the security of energy infrastructures in Europe amid geopolitical tensions and reliance on strategic networks.
A leak detected on a branch of the Druzhba pipeline in Poland reignites debates on the security of energy infrastructures in Europe amid geopolitical tensions and reliance on strategic networks.
Vaca Muerta: A Record Leap Towards 1 Million Barrels Per Day by 2030
Vaca Muerta: A Record Leap Towards 1 Million Barrels Per Day by 2030
An explosion targeting a strategic canal in Kosovo has heightened tensions with Serbia, accused of orchestrating the attack. Belgrade denies these allegations, while investigations intensify in an already unstable climate.
Amid weakened global demand, the rise of U.S. shale oil, and internal divisions, OPEC+ seeks to preserve its influence on prices while adapting its production strategy.
Amid weakened global demand, the rise of U.S. shale oil, and internal divisions, OPEC+ seeks to preserve its influence on prices while adapting its production strategy.
The Trump administration considers sanctions against Iraq to limit Iranian influence. These measures could redefine the geopolitical and economic dynamics of the global energy market.
The Trump administration considers sanctions against Iraq to limit Iranian influence. These measures could redefine the geopolitical and economic dynamics of the global energy market.
While Washington imposes sanctions on Venezuelan officials for human rights violations, maintaining oil licenses underscores the delicate balance of its energy diplomacy.
While Washington imposes sanctions on Venezuelan officials for human rights violations, maintaining oil licenses underscores the delicate balance of its energy diplomacy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcomed in Kazakhstan to discuss major energy projects amidst international rivalries with China and the West.
Turkey seeks a waiver from U.S. sanctions to continue paying for its gas imports via Gazprombank, which is critical to its energy security, according to Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.
Turkey seeks a waiver from U.S. sanctions to continue paying for its gas imports via Gazprombank, which is critical to its energy security, according to Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.
At COP29, world leaders established the foundations for carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, but major challenges remain regarding integrity, demand, and national implementation.
At COP29, world leaders established the foundations for carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, but major challenges remain regarding integrity, demand, and national implementation.
COP29 President Moukhtar Babaïev highlights the inflexibility of Northern countries and defends an agreement allocating $300 billion, though criticized as insufficient by Southern nations.
COP29 President Moukhtar Babaïev highlights the inflexibility of Northern countries and defends an agreement allocating $300 billion, though criticized as insufficient by Southern nations.
London has announced sanctions on 30 additional ships of the Russian "ghost fleet," used to bypass oil restrictions, striking a blow to exports that finance the war in Ukraine.
Iraq explores new markets for its crude oil, targeting Europe and Africa to reduce dependence on China and India, its current main importers.
Iraq explores new markets for its crude oil, targeting Europe and Africa to reduce dependence on China and India, its current main importers.
Emmanuel Macron and Gabriel Boric launch the “Call of Valparaíso,” a joint initiative to protect marine ecosystems, combat plastic pollution, and promote an international agreement on marine biodiversity.
Emmanuel Macron and Gabriel Boric launch the “Call of Valparaíso,” a joint initiative to protect marine ecosystems, combat plastic pollution, and promote an international agreement on marine biodiversity.
At COP29, China refuses to agree to a climate financing proposal, deepening North-South tensions and threatening global objectives in the fight against climate change.
At COP29, China refuses to agree to a climate financing proposal, deepening North-South tensions and threatening global objectives in the fight against climate change.

Advertising