Given the unprecedented benefits and plans to help expand the production of fossil fuels that he presented today ADNOC Drillingpart of the United Arab Emirates state oil company, whose chief executive is due to chair this year’s COP28 climate conference in Dubai, Marta Schaaf, director of the Climate, Economic and Social Justice and Accountability Program Amnesty International Business Accounts, has stated:
“Sultan al Jaber, CEO of ADNOC, one of the world’s largest oil and gas producers, intends to increase the group’s fossil fuel production. These plans are totally incompatible with his role as president-designate of COP28.
Sultan al Jaber cannot be an honest negotiator in climate talks when the company he runs is intent on doing more climate damage. It is evident that, despite Sultan al Jaber’s denials, his double role constitutes a flagrant conflict of interest that will contribute to fomenting the climate disaster and the commission of human rights violations”.
“Since his appointment as COP28 president was announced last month, Sultan al Jaber has stated that climate concerns must never jeopardize economic growth. He has stated that natural gas – a central part of ADNOC’s expansion plans whose main element is a greenhouse gas much more potent than carbon dioxide – is a fundamental component of the transition to sustainable energy.
Following reports that some ADNOC staff have been seconded to the COP28 organizing team, expansion plans will raise concerns that this pivotal climate conference is being hijacked by the state oil company and it will serve broader fossil fuel interests.
“We reiterate our call for Sultan al Jaber to resign from his position in the state oil company and that the management team of COP28 include in its priorities for the conference the phasing out of fossil fuels.”