Countering COP28 Chief’s Claims: Exposing the Centuries-Long Dilemma of Oil Firm Emissions
Recent revelations regarding the emissions generated by the oil company linked to COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber have sparked intense debate and scrutiny just weeks ahead of the pivotal COP28 climate summit.
Al Jaber, at the helm of the United Arab Emirates oil giant Adnoc, has fervently supported carbon capture as a solution to the pressing climate crisis.
But a thorough investigation by Global Witness has revealed a startling truth: Al Jaber’s company has an astonishing 343 years to capture CO2 emissions, which is a far cry from the urgent action required to solve climate problems.
The analysis, drawing from industry experts’ data, forecasts an estimated 3,430 million tonnes of carbon emissions from Adnoc’s oil and gas operations between 2023 and 2030.
Al Jaber has committed to escalating the company’s carbon capture capacity to 10 million tonnes annually by 2030.
Despite this ambitious target, it remains insufficient, as it would still require more than 340 years for Adnoc to capture the emissions produced within the next decade.
Jonathan Noronha Gant of Global Witness vehemently denounced carbon capture as a misguided distraction, asserting that Al Jaber’s advocacy echoes false promises perpetuated by fossil fuel lobbyists.
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Gant underscored the imperative need to confront the oil and gas dilemma directly rather than banking on illusory solutions.
Criticism has intensified due to worries that the COP28 may see the promotion of technical solutions rather than the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel production and emissions significantly and quickly.
This is further complicated by the fact that the United Arab Emirates is one of the leading proponents of expanding the production of oil and gas, which is an unsettling revelation in the midst of intensifying climate crises.
The impending summit has drawn vehement backlash, notably from climate activist Greta Thunberg, who decried Al Jaber’s leadership as “completely ridiculous.”
Voices from various corners of the globe have echoed similar sentiments, decrying the appointment of a fossil fuel CEO as a setback in efforts to combat the climate crisis, particularly for impoverished nations.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) opponents have long maintained that the technology is a smokescreen employed by fossil fuel companies to mask their expansion while driving up carbon emissions.
US examples show that CCS projects have a high failure rate, and one study found that a significant amount of captured carbon was actually used to extract more fossil fuels.
In response to the recent revelations, Adnoc has asserted its commitment to decarbonizing operations while defending CCS as a crucial tool in curbing emissions.
The company cited support from the International Energy Agency and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, positioning CCS as a pivotal element in achieving climate goals.
Amidst escalating debates and scrutiny, the impending COP28 summit stands at a critical juncture, where the clash between immediate action and prolonged solutions threatens to define global efforts in combating the pressing climate crisis.
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