The president of the upcoming UN climate conference COP28 in Dubai, Sultan Al Jaber, who also serves as the CEO of the United Arab Emirates' oil giant ADNOC, has robustly denied allegations that he intended to use his position to further fossil fuel deals for his country. These claims have sparked a controversy around the intersection of oil interests and climate advocacy.
In a strong rebuttal, Jaber called the allegations "false, not true, incorrect and not accurate," dismissing them as attempts to undermine the COP28 presidency. He questioned the logic behind the accusations, asking rhetorically if he or the UAE would need the COP platform to establish business deals or commercial relationships.
The controversy stems from leaked documents obtained by the BBC and the Centre for Climate Reporting, which suggested that Jaber's talking points for meetings at COP28 included promoting joint business opportunities in fossil fuels with countries such as China, Germany, and Egypt. These briefing notes reportedly indicated ADNOC's eagerness to develop oil and gas projects with these nations.
Jaber firmly denied ever using the alleged talking points. He stressed that his discussions in the capacity of COP28 president were solely focused on the climate summit's agenda, centered around climate action. He also highlighted his role as the chair of a clean energy company, further distancing himself from the notion of promoting fossil fuels.
However, the accusations have intensified ongoing concerns about Jaber's dual role as an oil executive and leader of a crucial climate negotiation. High-profile figures like former US Vice President Al Gore expressed that these allegations fulfilled some of their "worst fears." In contrast, Christiana Figueres, a former UN climate chief, accused Jaber of being "caught red-handed."
Despite these criticisms, some supporters believe Jaber's unique position straddling the oil industry and climate advocacy could present an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and compromise at the conference. They argue that his background might enable him to bridge the gap between the divergent interests of various stakeholders at the two-week talks.
