UAE Minister Calls for ,Phase Out, of Oil and Gas

Key Takeaways:

  • A key minister from the UAE has called for the "phase out" of oil and gas, which is expected to divide nations at the upcoming Cop28 climate talks in Dubai.
  • The UAE has previously been quiet on the issue of fossil fuels at climate talks but has been investing heavily in renewable energy, with plans to triple its solar capacity by 2030.
  • The appointment of Sultan al-Jaber, the head of state oil giant Adnoc, as the boss of Cop28 has been criticized, but the UAE argues that al-Jaber's appointment reflects the country's commitment to an inclusive climate agenda.
  • Adnoc plans to increase its investment in oil and gas, which is not compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5C, according to the International Energy Agency.
  • The challenges ahead include achieving a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy and balancing the need for continued investment in oil and gas in the short term with the urgent need to decarbonize.
Governments divided over issue at upcoming Dubai summit:

A key minister from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which will host the upcoming Cop28 climate talks in Dubai in November, has called for the “phase out” of oil and gas. The phrase was not agreed upon by governments at previous climate talks and is expected to divide nations at the upcoming summit.

The UAE’s environment minister, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, emphasized the need to shift the way oil and gas businesses operate and to decarbonize their practices while phasing out oil and gas in a just way. At Cop26 in 2021, governments agreed to commit to a “phase down” of coal, marking the first time a fossil fuel had been mentioned in a Cop decision.

In 2022, a coalition of nations including India, wealthy countries, and vulnerable islands, pushed for an agreement to phase out fossil fuels, including oil and gas as well as coal, at Cop27 in Egypt. However, a handful of oil and gas producers opposed this language and it was not included in the final text.

At Cop28, the issue is expected to continue to be contentious. Although hosts are meant to be neutral, they hold significant power over which requests from governments are included in the Cop draft decisions.

The UAE's Push for Renewable Energy:

The UAE was previously quiet on the issue of fossil fuels at Cop27, while Saudi Arabia led resistance to criticism of fossil fuels, emphasizing the need to address emissions rather than their origins. Saudi Arabia spoke on behalf of the Arab Group, a coalition of 22 nations across the Middle East and North Africa, including the UAE.

This year’s climate talks in Dubai have been criticized due to the appointment of Sultan al-Jaber, the head of the state oil company Adnoc, as the summit’s boss. Critics argue that this sends the wrong signal and that the fossil fuel industry controls the world’s response to the climate crisis.

The Role of Adnoc in the UAE's Energy Transition:

In response to the criticism, Minister Almheiri explained that al-Jaber was placed in Adnoc to change the company and guide it through the energy transition. Al-Jaber, who is also the chairman of Masdar, the UAE’s renewable energy company, stated that the country would focus on promoting an “inclusive” climate agenda that does not exclude fossil fuel players.

Al-Jaber highlighted the UAE’s investment in renewable energy, including solar power. The government expects to triple its solar capacity by 2030, reaching over 9GW. The UAE was the first country in the region to set a 2050 net-zero goal and at Cop27, became the first to announce final emission cuts.

Al-Jaber emphasized the need for continued investment in oil and gas in the short term while adopting a diversified energy mix approach. Adnoc plans to increase its investment by $150 billion over the next five years, which will speed up an increase in oil and gas production capacity. However, the International Energy Agency has said that new fossil fuel investments are not compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5C.

Summary:

The upcoming Cop28 climate talks in Dubai this November are expected to see a renewed debate on the phase-out of fossil fuels, with a key minister from the UAE calling for the "phase out" of oil and gas. This phrase was not agreed upon at previous climate talks, and the issue will likely divide nations. While the UAE's environment minister called for a just transition, many campaigners have criticized the appointment of Sultan al-Jaber, the head of state oil giant Adnoc, as the boss of Cop28, arguing that it sends the wrong signal and that the fossil fuel industry is hijacking the world's response to the global warming crisis. This article will examine the conflicting views and positions of the UAE and other nations on the fossil fuel issue and the challenges that lie ahead in achieving a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy.