More than EVER, we need a pragmatic approach to Energy Transition. COP28, taking place in Dubai on November 30th, is going to be very interesting for many reasons.

The climate summit faces significant challenges related to energy transition and international divisions. The conference is being hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a major oil-producing nation, which has raised doubts among many delegates about its ability to lead the world toward a low-carbon future.

Sultan Al Jaber, the president of COP28, is also the head of Adnoc, the UAE’s state oil company, which has sparked controversy. Climate activist Greta Thunberg and others have criticised his appointment, questioning whether an oil executive should lead a climate summit. Al Jaber argues that oil and gas must be part of the climate discussion and that his industry experience suits him to drive climate action.

The key goal of COP28 is to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a goal supported by scientists to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. However, there is scepticism regarding this goal as the UAE’s oil company plans to expand its oil production, potentially conflicting with emission reduction targets.

There is a clear divide between countries on the issue of phasing out fossil fuels. Some nations, including the UAE, advocate for “phasing down” fossil fuel production, while others, such as the European Union, push for a more aggressive “phase-out” approach.

Additionally, there are deadlock and disagreements on setting up a “loss and damage” fund to help poor nations cope with the consequences of climate change, potentially risking the participation of major polluting nations like the US.

Despite some consensus on increasing renewable energy capacity, differences on core issues indicate the difficulty of making progress at COP28. This conference differs from the optimism surrounding the Paris Agreement, as it now focuses on the practical implementation of climate action and is influenced by international rivalries, domestic politics, and financial disputes.

It will be interesting to see what happens, however True Green Energy Group advocates for a just energy transition, one which acknowledges that for the time being, oil production is a fact of life. Instead of fighting, perhaps we should work together to find a solution that reduces carbon emissions and keeps everybody, governments, business leaders and communities happy, because only by working together can we hope to transition towards a net-zero world.