London Daily

Focus on the big picture.

Sultan Al Jaber, the chief executive of Adnoc, the UAE’s Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and president of this year's COP28 climate summit.

Leaked Document Exposes Sensitive Issues as UAE Assumes UN Climate Summit Leadership

From increasing fossil fuel production to human trafficking, the UAE's impending role at COP28 is marked by numerous controversies.
The Guardian has unveiled an extensive list of contentious issues associated with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a leaked document as the nation prepares to preside over the forthcoming United Nations climate summit. The document lists state-sanctioned 'strategic messages' to be employed in addressing media inquiries concerning issues ranging from the UAE's growing fossil fuel production to human trafficking controversies.

The strategic messaging document opens with several pages dedicated to the key points of discussion for COP28, focusing on the UAE's narrative. There's a notable absence of any reference to fossil fuels, oil or gas. Instead, the emphasis is on renewable energy sources and hydrogen.

However, global climate experts overwhelmingly agree that the most urgent action needed to mitigate climate change is reducing fossil fuel consumption. They also stress that any new fossil fuel developments contradict the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and underscore the need to leave most existing reserves untapped to prevent the worst climate crisis outcomes.

Earlier this year, The Guardian disclosed that the UAE ranked third globally for plans to expand oil and gas production, which is in stark conflict with net-zero ambitions. This controversial topic, reflected as "increase in production capacity v climate ambition" in the leaked document, is understood to have been added after the Guardian's disclosure.

The suggested key messages for COP28 include statements like "We need to reduce emissions in the systems we depend on today," which have been criticized by a former UN climate chief as "dangerous" due to its sole focus on emissions and overlooking fossil fuel burning.

Other controversial climate-related issues highlighted include the dual role of COP28's president, Sultan Al Jaber, who is also the CEO of the UAE's national oil company, Adnoc. This position has drawn considerable criticism. The document also sheds light on Adnoc's non-disclosure of its emissions or lack of a sustainability report since 2016.

The document's single mention of fossil fuels comes in a section titled "UAE as a hydrocarbon economy (fossil fuel lobbying)," with a suggested response claiming that the UAE is "helping to build the energy system of tomorrow while reducing the carbon intensity of oil and gas."

The "climate ambition" topic is also raised, with the document indicating the UAE's recent pledge to increase its climate goals. However, this pledge could still permit a rise in the UAE's carbon emissions until 2030, and independent Climate Action Tracker consortium has classified the UAE's plans as "insufficient."

Pascoe Sabido, from Corporate Europe Observatory and co-coordinator of the Kick Big Polluters Out coalition, commented: "The UN climate talks have become an oil and gas industry trade show, not the flagship for climate action."

Additionally, the document also responds to a host of other sensitive issues unrelated to climate and energy, including money laundering, war crimes in Yemen, political prisoners, LGBTQIA+ rights, freedom of expression, women's rights, and human trafficking.

Nicholas McGeehan from human rights group FairSquare commented: "The key takeaway from this document is that the UAE cannot be taken at its word. Human rights activists have known this for a very long time, and it is critical that climate activists recognise the UAE’s duplicity."

The primary purpose of the document, it states, is to enhance the understanding of critical issues raised by the international media against the UAE and ultimately enhance the UAE's reputation.

The Cop28 office, National Media Office and Adnoc have not yet responded to requests for comment. Al Jaber, however, has previously stated: "Phasing down fossil fuels is inevitable and it is essential – it’s going to happen."

The transition, Al Jaber argued, takes time and cannot happen overnight, though he failed to provide a timeline for the phasing out of fossil fuels.
Newsletter

Related Articles

London Daily
0:00
0:00
Close
UK Maintains Non-negotiable Stance on Falklands and Gibraltar
Controversy Surrounds A75 Road Closures and 96-Mile Diversion
Crunch Time in Conservative Leadership Race
Keir Starmer's Challenges in the Wake of Sue Gray's Departure
Coroner Urges UK Government to Improve Severe ME Care
Starmer Calls for De-escalation in Middle East Amid Heightened Tensions
Chancellor Reeves Decides Against Pension Tax Hike
UK Advocates Urge Tobacco Windfall Tax and Permanent Levy
Starmer's Chief of Staff Plans Major Overhaul at Downing Street
Key Labour Thinktank Advocates New Powers for Mayors
Rachel Reeves Considers New Fiscal Rules for Infrastructure Spending
Great Britain Faces Lowest Winter Blackout Risk in Four Years
The Impact of Online Culture on Young Women: Survey Insights
Hypersonic Jet to Revolutionize Air Travel
Russian Medic Arrested for Alleged Satanism and Promoting LGBTQ Rights
UK: Chagos Islands Deal Was About Securing US Military Base
RT has converted key archive speeches delivered by Putin into spoken English using the help of AI
Walmart is now selling a new book titled The Achievements of Kamala Harris—and all the pages are blank.
Bill Gates: "6% of global emissions are cows... You can either fix the cows to stop them farting, or you can make beef without the cow."
Facilitated Communication: Miracle Tool or Manipulative Method?
The Allure of Browsing Online Property Portals: A Modern Obsession
Suspected Acid Attacker in London Bailed Amid Investigation
Tragic Channel Crossing: Four Migrants Killed
Labour Cabinet Ministers' Stances on Assisted Dying
The Influence of Tory Members on Party Leadership
UK Plans Major Overhaul of Employment Rights
UK Food Industry Lobbying Delays £1.7 Billion Plastic Packaging Tax
New UK Tipping Law Sparks Confusion Among Restaurant Staff
Debate Heats Up Over Assisted Dying Legislation in the UK
New Personalized Cancer Therapies Undergo Extensive Clinical Study
UAE Energy Minister: OPEC+ Doing a 'Noble' Job in Balancing Oil Market
Call for Wealth Tax Hikes to Curb Reform UK's Rise
Labour MP Supports Chancellor's Rejection of Wealth Tax
Debate Intensifies Over VAT Introduction for UK Private Schools
Israel Plans Retaliation Against Iran Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Norwegian Police Conclude 'Spy Whale' Hvaldimir's Death Due to Infection
Dominica Sells Citizenship to Boost Climate Resilience
Greta Thunberg Detained in Brussels During Protest Against Fossil Fuel Subsidies
UK Returns Chagos Islands to Mauritius After Decades-Long Dispute
UK Reaffirms Commitment to Overseas Territories Amid Falkland Islands Dispute
France's Silent March Supports Gisèle Pelicot: A Shocking Case
Robert Jenrick's Leadership Prospects: Challenges from the Right
Declining Interest in Grammar Schools Amid VAT Concerns
Emirates Bans Pagers and Walkie-Talkies on All Flights
Malaysian Father Burns Son's Motorbike to Prevent Racing Accidents
Donald Trump Urges Israel to Hit Iran's Nuclear Facilities First
Private Schools Face Enrollment Decline Due to Impending VAT on Fees
Wetherspoon’s CEO Criticizes Smaller Beer Glass Proposal and Licensing Hour Reduction
Starmer Defends UK Chagos Islands Decision Amidst Tory Criticism
Naomi Campbell Banned from Charity Work After Fashion for Relief Mismanagement
×