By Trend News Line 2024-06-05 11:15:49.
Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber, the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and president of the UN Climate Conference, COP28, held in Dubai last year, has come under scrutiny following a new investigation by Global Witness. The report, published on 5 June, alleges that ADNOC used Al-Jaber’s COP28 presidency to pursue oil and gas deals, potentially exerting undue influence by strategically positioning top company executives on the COP28 organising committee.
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Furthermore, the investigation claims that ADNOC employees had access to and were reportedly reading emails intended for UN staff, raising concerns about privacy breaches. In response to the allegations, ADNOC reportedly enlisted the services of a US PR company to manage the crisis and mitigate negative publicity.
During COP28 in November last year, Al-Jaber denied all allegations, stating that every meeting focused on discussing the COP28 agenda to implement measures to keep global warming within the 1.5°C target. However, the investigation reveals that ADNOC pursued oil, gas, and petrochemical deals amounting to close to $100 billion, a significant increase from the previous year and more than in the last four years combined.
The company sought deals with companies from at least 12 countries, including key targets identified in a leaked pre-COP briefing document. ADNOC collaborated with BP to acquire a stake in Israel’s NewMed Energy for gas development expansion and made bids for a stake in Braskem, a top petrochemical producer in Latin America. Additionally, ADNOC finalised contracts valued at approximately $17 billion to develop the United Arab Emirates’ Hail and Ghasha gas fields in collaboration with Russia’s Lukoil and Germany’s Wintershall Dea.
In response to the investigation, US House Representative Rashida Tlaib expressed concerns about potential fossil fuel corruption at future climate conferences. Another representative, Lloyd Doggett, urged the adoption of strong conflict of interest rules to prevent special interests from controlling the agenda at such conferences.
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Leaked documents revealed that Al-Jaber’s team had sought to lobby on oil and gas deals prior to COP28. Global Witness contacted officials involved in the negotiations, with one official stating that they were present during discussions where deals were openly discussed. ADNOC has refuted the leaked documents and denied allegations of making oil and gas deals, describing the findings as inaccurate.
A Kick Big Polluters Out Coalition investigation revealed a large number of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP28, raising concerns about the influence of special interests at the conference. ADNOC has dismissed the allegations, describing them as false and incorrect, while a COP28 spokesperson defended the Presidency’s accomplishments.
Despite the controversy, Azerbaijan is set to host COP29 this year, with Global Witness noting the symbolic passing of the torch from one petrostate to another. The world awaits further developments as efforts to tackle the climate crisis continue amidst growing concerns about the influence of fossil fuel interests..
– ADNOC billion-dollar deals
– ADNOC sought deals during UAE’s COP presidency.
