At the eighth Ministerial on Climate Action (MoCA), COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber stressed the critical need for all stakeholders involved in the historic UAE Consensus to come together and advance sustainable socio-economic development. This call to action comes as the UAE Consensus, unveiled at COP28 in Dubai last December, emerges as a key reference point for global climate ambition and sustainable development.
In his address, Dr. Al Jaber highlighted the importance of solidarity, noting that it was crucial to achieving the UAE Consensus. He urged ministers to harness this “spirit of solidarity” to expedite the implementation of the Consensus. The approach, he noted, has already begun to yield tangible results and “facts on the ground.”
A significant development in this context is the recent inclusion of PetroChina in the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC). PetroChina, responsible for 3.5 percent of global oil production, joins 52 other companies in the OGDC, which now represents approximately 40 percent of global oil production. This is the largest number of National Oil Companies ever to commit to a decarbonization initiative.
The OGDC calls for the industry to achieve net-zero emissions by or before 2050, eliminate methane emissions by 2030, and end routine flaring by the same year. It also emphasizes adherence to industry best practices in emission reduction and investment in future energy systems. Dr. Al Jaber described PetroChina’s participation as a “significant moment for Chinese leadership” and a “powerful signal” for other global companies to follow suit.
Additionally, Dr. Al Jaber called on nations to submit comprehensive Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that encompass decarbonization, deforestation, and other critical areas. He urged countries to turn these NDCs into practical, balanced plans that effectively implement the UAE Consensus.
The COP28 President also underscored the importance of the COP Presidencies Troika, which includes COP28 along with the Azerbaijan and Brazil COP Presidencies, in maintaining political momentum. He urged every sector to make climate resilience a guiding principle and to adopt strategies that future-proof business models while prioritizing people and the planet.
Dr. Al Jaber highlighted the UAE Consensus’ ambitious goal of tripling global renewable energy capacity this decade. Referring to the latest IRENA report, he noted the necessity of a 16.4 percent annual growth in capacity through 2030. Despite challenges, he expressed confidence in achieving these goals, citing past successes in rapidly expanding solar power capacity.
“History shows that when we doubt our ability to achieve great things, we often exceed expectations,” Dr. Al Jaber concluded, citing the remarkable growth in solar power capacity since 2004.
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