meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Cop28 must deliver on promises

25 October 2023

Commentary
Jennifer Aguinaldo
Energy & technology editor

 

There is a good chance that the average delegate attending the 2023 Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (Cop28) will skip visiting or driving past the key clean energy installations in the UAE.

These include the wind turbines on Sir Baniyas Island, 9.5 kilometres (km) off Jebel Dhana in Abu Dhabi; the $29bn Barakah nuclear power plant in Al-Gharbia, close to the border with Saudi Arabia; the solar farms in Sweihan and Al-Dhafra in Abu Dhabi; and Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum Solar Park, 50km from Expo City, the venue for Cop28.

For many delegates, a trip to these sites is unnecessary. They are aware of the UAE’s green credentials, with the country having ploughed billions of dollars into investments aimed at decarbonising its economy, and more still to come.

For others, however, a single statistic undermines the positive environmental steps that the world’s sixth-largest crude exporter has taken. State-backed energy firm Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) plans to increase its oil production capacity from 4 million barrels a day (b/d) to 5 million b/d by 2027.

Double-edged strategy

Critics, who include the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, have warned of the dangers of a double-edged energy transition strategy. Cop28 president-designate Sultan al-Jaber, managing director and CEO of Adnoc, prefers to describe such an approach as pragmatic.

An agreement requiring developed countries to provide loss and damage funding to countries most affected by climate change was a key takeaway from last year’s UN climate change conference in Egypt (Cop27). However, there was a lack of progress on the phasing down or out of fossil fuels.

The onus is now on the UAE, whose energy transition approach embraces energy sources from fossil fuels to green hydrogen, to deliver a more productive conference.

The hope is that the UAE’s status as an oil- exporting country, and the selection of an oil industry stalwart to lead this year’s negotiations, will not distract from the important tasks that the 12-day event aims to tackle.

Cop28 will see the first global stocktake of the progress countries have made towards their emissions reduction commitments or nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

Al-Jaber has also promised to supercharge climate finance and put more pressure on developed countries to fulfil the commitment they made at Cop15 in Copenhagen to mobilise $100bn annually by 2020. This target has been missed repeatedly.

A UAE finance initiative that will provide $4.5bn to help unlock Africa’s clean energy potential was announced in early September and is an example of such commitment.

Al-Jaber’s insistence on putting oil and gas companies at the heart of the climate dialogue is proving both decisive and divisive, however, depending on which side of the climate debate one supports.

“This is your opportunity to show the world that, in fact, you are central to the solution,” he told the oil and gas-dominated Adipec conference held in Abu Dhabi on 2-5 October.

How can green ammonia compete with grey ammonia if the gas for the grey ammonia is provided at a fraction of world market prices?
Cornelius Matthes, Dii Desert Energy

Cyril Widdershoven, global energy market analyst at Netherlands-based consultancy Verocy, supports Al-Jaber’s views. 

“The main Cop28 outcome will be linked to an even and rational transition from hydrocarbons to renewables, taking into account the overall need to cut emissions and [carbon] footprint,” he says. 

The summit will lead to a realisation that hydrocarbons will be a major part of the overall energy scene for decades to come, as the world is not yet ready to be fully electrified, Widdershoven adds.

The oil and gas industry’s increased presence at, and participation in, Cop28 is expected to make an impact.

“There will be huge pressure on the oil and gas industry to participate in the decarbonisation of energy systems, first by eliminating methane flaring and then eliminating emissions from their own operations by 2030,” says Paddy Padmanathan, co-founder and vice-chairman of clean energy firm Zhero and former CEO of Saudi utility developer Acwa Power.

“Abu Dhabi can influence the national oil companies to sign up to this, and Adnoc and Saudi Aramco should be able to influence the international oil companies to sign up.”

Top 10 UAE clean energy projects

Walking the talk

The UAE has shown leadership by being the first country in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region to initiate the phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies in 2015, Cornelius Matthes, CEO of Dubai-based Dii Desert Energy, tells MEED. 

“It was also the first Mena country to introduce a net-zero 2050 target in 2021, and has an unparalleled track record in building some of the largest solar plants in the world at record-low prices.”

Since other countries in the region have already followed the UAE’s lead, the expectation is for Cop28 to provide impetus for similar initiatives to accelerate.

With Abu Dhabi leading, Zhero’s Padmanathan expects it will also be possible to secure financial commitments
to the Loss & Damage Fund that was established at Cop27.

A declaration from the world’s 46 least-developed countries cited a “strong outcome operationalising the new Loss & Damage Fund” among their key expectations and priorities for Cop28.

Home to more than 14 per cent of the world’s population, these countries contribute about 1 per cent of emissions from fossil fuels and industrial processes and most are on the front line of the climate crisis. The majority need funds to deal with the impact of climate change in sectors such as agriculture, while others require funds to develop clean energy sources. 

Tripling initiative

The goal of tripling global renewable energy capacity is expected be included in the agenda for Cop28.

This is in line with the International Energy Agency’s recommendation that the world needs to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030 if the 1.5 degrees Celsius cap on global warming that was agreed in Paris in 2015 is to still be within reach.

However, this goal needs a clear mechanism to be effective, according to an expert in the renewable energy field.

“There will be a big song and dance around the commitment to tripling solar and wind deployment by 2030, but given there will be no mechanism for holding anyone responsible for it, and for sure there will be no consequence … I cannot see how meaningful such pledges can be,” the expert tells MEED.

Hard issues 

The wider Mena region, which will share the spotlight and scrutiny associated with Cop28, will have to demonstrate a willingness to talk about the reduction of all harmful emissions, not only carbon, says Matthes.

The easiest option is to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, as they encourage energy waste and profit wealthy populations disproportionately.

“How can green ammonia compete with grey ammonia if the gas for the grey ammonia is provided at a fraction of world market prices?” Matthes asks.

Introducing a cost for all harmful emissions is another opportunity that can automatically improve bankability for energy transformation projects. To their credit, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have recently introduced voluntary carbon markets, which are seen as steps in the right direction.

Initiatives to boost energy efficiency across the Mena region should also be part of the conversation. These range from efforts to use air conditioning, cooling and water more discriminatingly; electrify transportation; deploy battery energy storage systems; and increase the decarbonisation of the production, shipping, refining and upstream use of oil and gas.

“The region’s waste of energy should be reduced and eliminated before even thinking about how to produce energy,” says Matthes.

Possible scenarios

Despite promises of inclusivity and productiveness, there is a strong probability that most Cop28 negotiators will get only a fraction of what they hope to take away from the summit.

“In a complex system like the Cop negotiations, we need to be realistic about what can be achieved,” says Matthes. “As we have seen in the past ... the same countries always manage to dilute compromises and block long-overdue and necessary developments.”

A likely post-Cop28 scenario could include an agreement requiring the oil and gas industry to do and spend more to decarbonise their products and operations, share in the financial burden of climate change mitigation, and if possible, curb production. This could avoid the use of wording that proved contentious at Glasgow’s Cop26 when a deal that called for the “phase out” of coal-fired power had to be amended to “phase down” following pressure from some countries. 

Climate change advocates will have to live with the fact that fossil fuels, and their entire supply chain, are not likely to be penalised further or disappear. Major change is unlikely until the world is ready to be fully electrified, or until the fear that halting oil production could cause energy insecurity and economic chaos can be overcome.

The Global North countries will have to weigh the best options to reach their net-zero carbon emission targets by 2050 without risking their economic growth. However, countries such as the UK are in the process of pushing back some of their energy transition targets.

Meanwhile, most Global South countries will continue to bear the brunt of the worsening climate crisis, albeit with some support from top carbon-emitting and wealthy nations.

Rightly or wrongly, this could highlight the merit of Al-Jaber’s preferred pragmatic and inclusive approach to Cop28 in terms of technologies, fuels and the representation of sectors.

“A convergence of interests and the dramatic changes to the status of the global energy transition over the past few years … could help countries find new momentum and solutions that might not have seemed feasible in the past,” says Matthes.

Image: Cop28 president-designate Sultan al-Jaber engages with Pope Francis on driving positive outcomes for climate action. Credit: Cop28

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/11210573/main.gif
Jennifer Aguinaldo

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Contractor wins $197m Doha infrastructure works

    6 November 2026

     

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has awarded an estimated QR722m ($197m) contract to develop roads and infrastructure north of Al-Rifaa Street in Doha.

    The contract was awarded to local firm Tadmur Contracting Company.

    Six other contractors submitted bids: 

    • Qatar Trading & Contracting Group ($244m)
    • Iris Construction Tourism Industry & Trade ($259m)
    • Lotus Trading & Contracting ($260m)
    • Generic Engineering Technologies & Contracting ($261m)
    • Alghanim International / National Industrial Contracting ($268m)
    • Hamad Bin Khalid Contracting Company ($281m)

    The scope of work covers the construction of more than 34 kilometres of roads, dedicated plot developments, site clearance, backfill and earthworks.

    The package also requires the installation of surface and groundwater drainage systems, a foul-water drainage network and treated sewage effluent lines.

    In addition, the contractor will deliver a dedicated pumping station, an emergency flood area pond, 3,735 car parking spaces, road cross-sectional elements and verge parking bays.

    Secondary infrastructure works include electrical distribution, water mains, utility lines, manholes, gully pots and house connections, along with kerbing, road pavement works, landscaping, street lighting, road markings and directional signage.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/21204827/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Stakeholders aim to sign Iraq pipeline deal by year end

    6 November 2026

     

    Stakeholders expect a key contract to be signed before the end of the year for the development of a major oil export pipeline network in Iraq, according to industry sources.

    Iraq and Syria’s governments, state-owned oil companies and a consortium led by Qatar’s UCC are currently discussing the terms.

    If all parties agree to the proposed deal, the UCC-led coalition will become the selected developer responsible for tendering engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for the project.

    The consortium includes US-based Chevron, the investment company TI Capital and France’s TotalEnergies.

    The proposed plan will use a fast-track framework to bring the pipelines online as quickly as possible.

    One source said: “The plan that is being discussed is highly unusual, because it is such a large-scale pipeline project and it would be brought online in a relatively short timeframe.”

    A team from UCC is currently in Iraq for meetings with government officials to discuss the project, one source said.

    The project will be focused on four pipeline packages:

    • Basra to Najaf
    • Najaf to Haditha
    • Haditha to Fish Khapour
    • Haditha to Banias Port in Syria

    In July, Iraq’s cabinet approved state-owned Basra Oil Company signing a ​heads of agreement and a non-disclosure agreement with the UCC-led consortium to explore possible future oil pipeline projects.

    Under the terms of the agreement, the consortium is preparing technical and financial feasibility studies for strategic export pipeline projects.

    Also in July, US-based KBR was awarded a consultancy contract for the section of pipeline due to extend from Basra to Haditha.

    In April, Iraq announced the allocation of $1.5bn for the Basra-Haditha route, while the larger scheme is estimated at around $5bn.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/21181262/main.jpg
    Wil Crisp
  • Taqa shortlists 17 contractors for Mirfa-Liwa scheme

    6 November 2026

     

    Up to 17 contractors have been invited to submit bids for a major water transmission and distribution scheme serving Mirfa, Madinat Zayed and Liwa in Abu Dhabi, a source close to the project has confirmed to MEED.

    The project, originally estimated to cost $775m, comprises a water transmission system from Mirfa, alongside distribution networks serving farms and settlements in Abu Dhabi’s western region.

    In October, MEED exclusively reported that a request for proposals had been issued, with bids due on 5 January 2027, following an extension from the initial deadline of 11 November 2026.

    The Mirfa-Liwa scheme has been in procurement for several years and was previously tendered in December 2024 as an engineering, procurement and construction scheme, divided between transmission and distribution works.

    As MEED understands, it was recently re-tendered under a design, build and operate model, extending the contractor’s responsibilities to operating the infrastructure after construction.

    According to sources, the full list of contractors invited to bid for the tender includes:

    • Afcons Infrastructure (India)
    • Alkhorayef Water & Power Technologies (Saudi Arabia)
    • China Machinery Engineering Corporation (China)
    • China National Chemical Engineering (China)
    • China Tiesiju Civil Engineering Group (China)
    • Danway Electrical & Mechanical Engineering (UAE)
    • Emarat Aloula Contracting (UAE)
    • FCC Aqualia (Spain)
    • Gulf Contractors Company (UAE)
    • Hydropower Energy & General Construction (UAE)
    • Jereh Oil & Gas Engineering Corporation (China)
    • Mapa (Turkiye)
    • Nesma & Partners Contracting Company (Saudi Arabia)
    • Orascom Construction (Egypt)
    • Power Construction Corporation of China (China)
    • Tecton Engineering & Construction (UAE)
    • Tristar Engineering & Construction (UAE)

    According to details seen by MEED, the scope includes a pumping station at Mirfa with a capacity of 128 million imperial gallons a day, approximately 125 kilometres of transmission pipelines to Muzairah, with branches to Madinat Zayed and Liwa Summit, and storage tanks at the three locations.

    The distribution network is divided into four geographic clusters covering Liwa East, Liwa West, Madinat Zayed and Seih Al-Kheir. The works include associated pipelines, pumping stations and storage facilities.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/21181223/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Gulf conflict cuts Emirates Group profit by 66%

    6 November 2026

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Dubai’s Emirates Group made a profit before tax of AED4.1bn ($1.1bn) in the first half of its 2026-27 financial year, 66% less than the AED12.2bn it made in the same period last year.

    The six months to 30 September were the group’s first full half-year since military activity disrupted commercial air traffic across the Gulf on 28 February. Group revenue fell 12% to AED66.2bn ($18bn), from AED75.4bn a year earlier. Profit after tax fell 66% to AED3.6bn ($1bn).

    Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) fell 41% to AED12.5bn ($3.4bn).

    The results follow a record 2025-26 financial year. The group made a profit before tax of AED24.4bn in that year, on revenue of AED150.5bn.

    “It has been a demanding six months, and once again our business model and our people stood up to the test,” said Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group. “Customer demand held firm and our cargo operations made a strong contribution, keeping revenue and cash levels healthy even as global jet fuel prices doubled against the same period last year.”

    Airline performance

    Emirates airline’s profit before tax fell 68% to AED3.7bn ($1bn), compared with AED11.4bn a year earlier. Its revenue fell 13% to AED56.9bn ($15.5bn). The airline carried 21.8 million passengers, 22% fewer than a year earlier. Capacity measured in available seat kilometres fell 17%, and the passenger seat factor dropped to 72% from 79.5%.

    Cargo partly offset the drop in passenger numbers. Emirates SkyCargo carried 1.2 million tonnes, 1% less than a year earlier, but its revenue rose 52%. The conflict reduced the airfreight capacity available on the market, and disruption to shipping pushed shippers towards air transport.

    Before hedging gains, fuel costs rose 60%, even though the airline uplifted 12% less fuel. Gains of AED7.1bn ($1.9bn) from fuel hedging cut the net increase in fuel costs to 13%. Fuel accounted for 34% of operating costs.

    On 30 September, Emirates was operating 91% of its pre-disruption network, serving 150 airports in 78 countries and territories. On 31 March, it had been flying 58% of its passenger capacity to 122 destinations in 65 countries.

    Fleet investment

    The airline received nine Airbus A350s and five Boeing 777 freighters during the period. Its fleet grew to 289 aircraft, from 277 on 31 March. Emirates is continuing its cabin retrofit programme, a planned investment of more than $7bn. It refurbished 12 aircraft in the first half. In May, it broke ground on a $5.1bn engineering and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Al-Maktoum International airport, which is expected to be completed in the mid-2030s.

    The group’s cash position was AED54.1bn ($14.7bn) on 30 September, down from a record AED59.6bn on 31 March. The group said it had used its reserves to make pre-delivery payments for aircraft and to service existing debt. It also paid the remaining AED2bn of the AED3.5bn dividend declared for 2025-26 to its owner, the Investment Corporation of Dubai.

    Ground services and travel company dnata made a profit before tax of AED410m ($112m), down 51%. Its revenue fell 7% to AED11bn ($3bn), and the group said dnata’s international businesses helped offset weaker traffic in the UAE.

    The group’s workforce fell 2% to 128,237 people.

    “We enter the second half of our 2026-27 financial year with measured optimism,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/21198114/main.jpg
    Colin Foreman
  • King Salman airport tenders roads and utilities package

    6 November 2026

     

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Saudi Arabia’s King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) has tendered the Zone C1+C2 roads, bridges and utility networks package for King Salman International airport (KSIA) in Riyadh.

    The tender was issued on 26 October, and bids are due by 6 December.

    The request for proposals covers the procurement, construction, testing and commissioning of civil infrastructure supporting Terminal 6, alongside the existing Terminals 1-5.

    The scope includes upgrades to Airport Road 539, which runs west of Terminals 1-5, and to part of Mohamed Bin Faraj Road 5333, west of Junction 6.

    It also includes new roads, ramps, service roads, and signalised at-grade junctions. An additional access road will connect the Terminal 6 site offices to Road 5333.

    Structures will include the Junction 6 and Terminal 6 bridges, retaining walls and reinforced-soil structures.

    The contractor will also construct the central ground services equipment (GSE) bridge. Before construction begins, the contractor must validate the design, complete any outstanding elements – including mechanically stabilised earth walls, approach slabs, drainage and lighting – and secure the required authority approvals.

    Dry utilities will comprise high- and extra-high-voltage containment, a 13.8kV medium-voltage network with package substations, low-voltage distribution and street lighting, and security-surveillance systems.

    Wet utilities will include potable water, fire water, irrigation water, treated sewage effluent, district cooling and wastewater networks. Wastewater pipes will range from 200mm u-PVC gravity lines to 1,700mm glass-reinforced plastic mains.

    The stormwater network will include channels, culverts, ponds and pipes ranging from 400mm to 1,400mm in diameter. Crossings will be constructed using open-cut excavation, horizontal directional drilling or microtunneling.

    Utilities serving the operational terminals will be diverted on a design-and-build basis. Enabling works will include earthworks and the relocation of the security fence and trees. The contractor will also demolish a temporary car park, existing bridges and a sewage pumping station.

    Optional works comprise two design-and-build elements that will proceed only at the client’s instruction.

    The first is the south GSE bridge. The second is an approximately 1,400-metre, multi-lane access road to the Terminal 6 Transportation Hub, including bridges, underpasses, ramps and tunnels, as well as provisions for future Wadi Loop utilities and structures.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/21176175/main.png
    Yasir Iqbal