COP28 Controversy Escalates with UAE’s New Oil Lobbying Allegations

By Bilal Bhutto

COP28, hosted by the UAE in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, faces controversy over leaked documents suggesting the UAE's COP president, Sultan Al Jaber, used the summit to discuss oil and gas deals with foreign governments.

Source - Google

The leaked briefing documents, prepared for Sultan Al Jaber, who is also the CEO of the UAE's state oil company ADNOC and state renewables business Masdar, reveal plans to hold meetings with at least 27 foreign governments to discuss prospective oil and gas deals.

Source - Google

These documents outline objectives and talking points, many drafted by ADNOC and Masdar, proposing joint development of oil and gas projects with at least 15 governments, including China, Colombia, Egypt, and Germany.

Source - Google

Greenpeace's Policy Coordinator, Kaisa Kosonen, reacted to these allegations, stating, "If the allegations are true, this is totally unacceptable and a real scandal."

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Kosonen further emphasized that the climate summit leader should focus on advancing climate solutions impartially, not on backroom deals exacerbating the crisis.

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The UNFCCC insists on “the obligation of impartiality" of the COP president and their teams, highlighting that conducting business deals during the climate summit breaches UN standards.

Source - Google

Belgium's climate minister, Zakia Khattabi, expressed concerns about the integrity of the COP28 presidency and the credibility of U.N. climate negotiations.

Source - Google

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