COP28 Controversies: The Urgency of Action and Accountability 

ORCA SciComm Team | 30th November 2023

COP28 represents the UN's most recent series of international climate negotiations taking place from November 30th to December 12th, 2023. This year, it is hosted by the UAE in Dubai and is expected to be attended by 167 world leaders, among them the Pope and King Charles III.

As the first day of COP28 begins, the critical climate conference taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), we at ORCA Ireland find ourselves reflecting on the paradox that frames this event. The UAE, a nation with an economy that is built on oil and gas production, is hosting a summit aimed at mitigating the very crisis exacerbated by fossil fuels. This juxtaposition is not lost on the global community, particularly in light of leaked documents suggesting an agenda to boost oil and gas production rather than reduce it. 

The Core Conflict:

This week, leaked briefing documents revealed plans to discuss fossil fuel deals with 15 nations. The documents contained suggested "discussion themes," including a statement for China indicating that ADNOC, the national oil corporation of the UAE, is "open to collaboratively assess global LNG [liquefied natural gas] prospects" in countries like Mozambique, Canada, and Australia.

The briefings reveal that the UAE had devised discussion points about business prospects for Masdar, its national renewable energy firm, in anticipation of dialogues with 20 nations. These include the UK, the United States, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil, China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Kenya.

The confidential briefing papers that were leaked by whistleblowers were created for Dr. Jaber, who holds the dual roles of CEO of ADNOC, the UAE's major state-owned oil firm, as well as the head of the state's renewable energy enterprise, Masdar. This means that at the heart of COP28 lies a glaring conflict of interest. Sultan al-Jaber, the UAE oil chief executive and leader of the COP28 summit embodies this contradiction. While his dual role as the head of state energy giant ADNOC raises alarms among environmentalists, his supporters commend his practical approach and capacity to drive results. Nonetheless, his position highlights the ongoing struggle between fossil fuel interests and the urgent need for climate action.

The Stakes at COP28:

The aspiration for COP28 is to contribute to capping the global temperature increase at 1.5C in the long term, a threshold deemed essential by the UN's climate science panel to avert the most severe effects of climate change. However, achieving this goal necessitates significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions – a decrease of 43% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. 

This year's summit is pivotal. It also marks the first global assessment since the Paris Agreement of 2015, aiming to evaluate our collective progress in combating climate change. However, the presence of oil and gas representatives in Dubai has naturally sparked criticism, with figures like Greta Thunberg and Al Gore vocalizing their concerns about the undue influence of fossil fuel interests on the climate discourse.

The Proposed Solutions:

Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE), primarily involving wind, tidal, and wave energy, is increasingly seen as a vital component of the transition to a sustainable energy future. However, its rapid development raises questions about its environmental impacts, especially on marine life, and whether it represents a genuine commitment to sustainability or is merely a form of "greenwashing" by traditional energy companies.

The Challenge of Climate Funding:

A critical issue at COP28 will be the contentious "loss and damage" fund, aimed at supporting poorer nations disproportionately affected by climate change. The failure to agree on this fund could derail the entire summit. The UAE, despite its wealth, is not obligated to contribute to U.N. climate funds, further complicating the conversation around equity and responsibility.

Our Role as Observers and Participants:

As a climate scientist, I urge our readers to engage actively with COP28 through our reporting. Your perspectives and feedback are vital. We must challenge the prevailing influences of the fossil fuel industry and advocate for a shift towards sustainable solutions. This is not just a conference for politicians and executives; it is a global call to action, and your voice matters.

COP28 is not just another summit; it is a critical juncture in our fight against climate change. The UAE's position as both a major oil producer and the summit host symbolizes the broader challenge we face: balancing economic interests with the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As we report on COP28 held this year in Dubai, we look forward to your insights and contributions, for it is only through collective action and accountability that we can hope to steer our planet towards a sustainable future.