Dr. Sultan Al-Jaber, CEO of ADNOC, discusses controversies surrounding the UAE hosting COP28, including his appointment as conference president. The podcast explores the contradictions in oil extraction and fighting climate change, the significance of hosting a big climate summit, and investigations into the UAE's use of UN and COP meetings for planning oil and gas deals.
The UAE's climate policies are considered insufficient by experts, with investments in fossil fuels overshadowing renewable energy efforts.
Dr Sultan Al-Jaba's role as COP president raises concerns about the efficacy and credibility of COP28 due to his association with an oil-producing company.
Deep dives
Conflict of Interest in Hosting COP
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is hosting COP28, the 28th annual summit focused on fighting global warming. However, critics argue that there is a clear conflict of interest, as the UAE is one of the largest providers of oil in the world, with Dr Sultan Al-Jaba, the CEO of the National Oil Company, presiding over the talks. Some accuse this COP of being corrupted by the very thing driving the climate crisis. While the UAE has made efforts to transition to renewable energy, including being a major investor, its climate policies are deemed inadequate, and the expansion of oil and gas production is at odds with the goal of limiting global warming.
Insufficient Climate Policies of the UAE
The UAE's climate policies are considered insufficient by experts. While the country has invested billions in renewables, the amount is overshadowed by its investments in fossil fuels. Mia Moecio from the New Climate Institute states that the UAE's policies would result in increased emissions by 2030, contradicting the need for reduction. Additionally, the country's heavy reliance on gas and plans for carbon capture and storage (CCS) are problematic. CCS is an unproven technology, and relying on it to combat climate change deflects from the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels.
Controversy Surrounding COP President Dr Sultan Al-Jaba
Dr Sultan Al-Jaba, as CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, has faced criticism for his role as COP president. Activists and lawmakers argue that his position poses a conflict of interest, given his association with an oil-producing company. While some defend his appointment, emphasizing his involvement in renewable energy, others point out that his leadership may undermine efforts to address the climate crisis. The tension between Al-Jaba's role in the oil industry and his responsibility to drive climate action raises concerns about the efficacy and credibility of COP28.
As the world’s attention turns to this year’s COP summit in the UAE, questions remain about the host country and conference president.
It’s not the first time that an oil-producing country has hosted the climate change summit. But some environmental campaigners are unhappy about COP28 being held in the United Arab Emirates, and the choice of conference president, Dr. Sultan Al-Jaber – the CEO of the national oil company, ADNOC.
However, supporters say that the country is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, so it has as much of a right to host the conference as anyone else. Meanwhile, Dr Al-Jaber boasts considerable experience working in renewables – having previously run the UAE’s renewable energy company MASDAR.
So what’s really going on? To find out more, presenter Graihagh Jackson is joined by:
Sam Fenwick, presenter of the BBC World Service programme ‘Business Daily’
Fiona Harvey, Environment editor at The Guardian
Zeina Khalil Hajj, Head of Global Campaigning and Organising at 350.org
Mia Moisio, climate policy expert at New Climate Institute and Climate Action Tracker
Producer: Ben Cooper
Researchers: Shorouk Elkobrosi and Octavia Woodward
Series Producer: Simon Watts
Editor: China Collins
Sound engineer: Tom Brignell
Production co-ordinators: Jacqui Johnson and Sophie Hill
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