SUMMARY of the Article “Climate Action,” by Masood Lohar, Dawn [Published on December 12th, 2023]
COP28, despite initial doubts and criticisms, has proven itself productive and on point, challenging skepticism surrounding its location in the UAE, a major oil-producing country. Dr Sultan Al Jaber’s appointment as the president raised concerns, but the summit has showcased progress, inclusivity, and adaptability. Early consensus on the loss and damage issue set a positive tone. Uncommon occurrences, such as protests in an autocratic state, marked the summit. Notably, protests in solidarity with Palestinians and for the release of pro-democracy activists were deemed historic. Dr Al Jaber highlighted the uniqueness and historic progress of COP28, engaging with various stakeholders and challenging traditional climate diplomacy norms. The summit achieved significant progress, including the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund, a $30 billion private market climate vehicle, and commitments from oil companies and countries for decarbonization and renewable energy. The UAE positions itself as a climate innovator, investing in decarbonization projects and setting ambitious targets. Dubai aims for 75% clean energy by 2050. This paradigm shift in the climate narrative reflects a transformative force emerging unexpectedly, akin to ‘Moses in the house of Pharaoh.’
Easy/Short SUMMARY:
COP28, initially doubted due to its UAE location, has proven successful, challenging skepticism. Dr Al Jaber’s presidency, criticized for potential bias, witnessed progress, inclusivity, and historic protests. Achievements include the Loss and Damage Fund and commitments for decarbonization and renewable energy. The UAE emerges as a climate innovator, investing in green initiatives and positioning Dubai for 75% clean energy by 2050, reflecting an unexpected paradigm shift.
SOLUTIONS of The Problem:
1. Global Collaboration in Unconventional Locations:
- Encourage global climate summits in unconventional locations, fostering inclusivity and challenging biases.
2. Engagement with Diverse Stakeholders:
- Promote active engagement with diverse stakeholders, including NGOs, civil society, businesses, and industry, for ambitious climate goals.
3. Expanded Leadership in Climate Diplomacy:
- Advocate for a shift in climate diplomacy leadership, involving not just government officials but also for-profit tech companies to efficiently tackle climate challenges.
4. Industry Commitments for Decarbonization:
- Encourage industries, including oil companies, to commit to decarbonization efforts, fostering a collective approach to combat climate change.
5. Private Market Climate Vehicles:
- Support the establishment of private market climate vehicles, attracting investment for innovative climate solutions.
6. Accelerated Net-Zero Targets:
- Encourage companies to accelerate net-zero targets, as seen with ADNOC’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
7. Emission Reduction Demonstrations:
- Promote practices like routine methane venting and flaring cessation as demonstrations of commitment to emissions reduction.
8. Investments in Climate Innovation:
- Encourage nations and companies to invest substantially in climate innovation and decarbonization projects.
9. Early Adoption of Clean Energy Targets:
- Applaud early adopters of clean energy targets, such as Dubai’s aim for 75% clean energy by 2050, and encourage similar initiatives globally.
10. Paradigm Shift in Climate Narrative:
- Support and promote a paradigm shift in the climate narrative, acknowledging transformative forces emerging unexpectedly.
IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the Article:
- Event: COP28
- President: Dr Sultan Al Jaber
- Protest Focus: Solidarity with Palestinians, Release of pro-democracy activists.
- Summit Achievements:
- Establishment of Loss and Damage Fund.
- Launch of a $30 billion private market climate vehicle.
- Commitments from 51 oil companies for decarbonization.
- Commitments from 119 countries to triple renewable energy.
-
Achievements at COP28: Consensus on loss and damage, establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund, $30 billion private market climate vehicle, commitments from oil companies and 119 countries to decarbonize and triple renewable energy.
-
UAE’s Climate Initiatives: Significant carbon capture and storage project, ADNOC’s accelerated net-zero greenhouse gas target for operational activities by 2045, Dubai’s goal to attain 75% clean energy by 2050.
MCQs from the Article:
-
Who was appointed as the president of COP28?
A. Dr Masood Lohar
B. Dr Sultan Al Jaber
C. Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar
D. António Guterres -
What issue saw early consensus at COP28?
A. Fossil fuel exploration
B. Loss and Damage
C. Renewable energy targets
D. Climate finance distribution -
What did the protests during COP28 focus on?
A. Climate finance transparency
B. Solidarity with Palestinians and release of pro-democracy activists
C. Fossil fuel usage
D. Renewable energy investments -
Which company accelerated its net-zero greenhouse gas target for operational activities?
A. ExxonMobil
**B. ADN
OC**
C. Chevron
D. Shell
- What is Dubai’s target for clean energy by 2050?
A. 50%
B. 60%
C. 75%
D. 90%
VOCABULARY:
- Intellectual Chaos (noun) (ذہانتی بے چینی): A state of confusion or disorder in intellectual matters or discussions.
- Sceptical (adjective) (شکی): Inclined to doubt or question claims or opinions.
- Controversy (noun) (جھگڑا): Prolonged public dispute, debate, or contention concerning a matter of opinion.
- Inclusivity (noun) (شاملیت): The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.
- Autocracy (noun) (خود مختاری): A system of government by one person with absolute power.
- Demonstration (noun) (ظاہر کرنا): A public meeting or march protesting against something or expressing views on a political issue.
- Adaptability (noun) (قابلیت ترتیب): The quality of being able to adjust to new conditions.
- Paradigm Shift (noun) (نمایاں تبدیلی): A fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions.
- Decarbonization (noun) (کاربن گھٹائیں): The reduction or elimination of carbon or carbon compounds, particularly in the context of energy production.
- Net-Zero (adjective) (صافی صفر): Achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere.
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CONTRARY to initial doubts, apprehensions, and explicit criticism from activists and environmentalists, COP28, set to conclude today, seems to have proved itself productive and on point.
Before the start of COP28, there was intellectual chaos across sectors and regions. Some organisations even boycotted the event, protesting the appointment of Dr Sultan Al Jaber, the CEO of UAE’s national oil company ADNOC as the president of COP28. Critics were sceptical about holding the summit in one of the world’s top 10 oil-producing countries, fearing bias towards the fossil fuel industry. Controversy escalated when Dr Al Jaber was quoted as saying that there was “no science” indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to stop global warming, later clarifying that he was misquoted.
Despite the early scepticism, progress and commitments at the event have made it unique. COP28 has seen unprecedented momentum, inclusivity, and a willingness to adapt. There was optimism for groundbreaking developments, with early consensus reached on the loss and damage issue, setting a positive tone for the remaining agenda items.
Furthermore, the summit has given rise to uncommon occurrences in the UAE, such as protests. Despite the country being seen as an autocracy where political parties and labour unions are prohibited, COP28 has compelled the rulers to allow the entry of human rights researchers from organisations normally frowned upon by the state. Activists argue that the UAE government’s motive is to enhance its international image, but they emphasise that only limited protests are permitted, subject to prior approval.
Progress at COP28 has made the event unique.
One notable instance involved protesters gathering in solidarity with the Palestinians. Another noteworthy procession took place a few days ago, demanding the release of pro-democracy activists imprisoned in the UAE and Egypt. Described as “historic” by Saudi and UAE human rights researchers, this protest stood out for its audacity and significance.
Almost near to the conclusion of the summit, Dr Al Jaber talked about the historic progress made at the summit, emphasising its uniqueness. He said, “We can all agree COP28 has been different, and I am sure we will agree that COP28 has already made history.”
The COP28 president has actively engaged with all participating parties, stakeholders, NGOs, civil society, observers, businesses, and industry to advocate for unprecedented ambition in COP history.
This approach challenges the conventional belief that climate diplomacy and environmental conservation should solely rely on traditional UN bureaucracy and less action-oriented NGOs and government departments. Some argue that, for-profit and innovative tech companies can handle climate challenges more efficiently. The COP leadership, historically held by government officials and diplomats, is now witnessing a shift.
Amid COP28, significant progress has been achieved, including the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund, launching a $30 billion private market climate vehicle, and commitments from 51 oil companies and 119 countries to decarbonise and triple renewable energy, respectively. This progress raises questions about whether climate diplomacy is increasingly led by the polluting industry and for-profit tech businesses.
The UAE is positioning itself as a frontrunner in climate innovation by making substantial investments in decarbonisation. In September, a significant carbon capture and storage project was introduced, designed to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those produced annually by half a million petrol-powered cars. ADNOC accelerated its net-zero greenhouse gas target for operational activities, now aiming to achieve this goal by 2045, five years earlier than initially planned. The company has ceased routine methane venting and flaring, seen as a demonstration of a commitment to emissions reduction ahead of its industry counterparts.
Dubai is striving to attain 75 per cent of its total power generation from clean energy sources by 2050 — a potentially transformative move. How did this massive green initiative come about in a region abundant with oil wealth? And that also nearly two decades ago, back in 2006? An approach, predating the widespread adoption of solar technology and climate innovation has the potential to reshape the climate discourse and translate into concrete actions on the ground.
This paradigm shift in the climate narrative brings to mind the expression ‘Moses in the house of pharaoh’, symbolising a transformative force emerging from an unexpected place.
The writer is an expert on climate change and development and founder of the Clifton Urban Forest.
X: masoodlohar
Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2023