COP28 president Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber
Adnoc’s global energy leadership
Oil and gas companies look to defy cynics and play pivotal role in decarbonisation as the UAE hosts COP28
The UN climate talks under way in the UAE are focusing on the role of oil and gas companies as never before—not least because COP28 president Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber is also CEO of national oil and gas company Adnoc. From the viewpoint of the government of the UAE—one of the world’s largest producers of oil and gas—“Dr Sultan”, as his aides reportedly call him, is not that surprising a choice. He is minister of industry and advanced technology, chairman of the nation’s renewable energy company, Masdar, and has been the UAE’s special envoy for climate change since 2020. But his role as Adnoc chief has left climate campaigners aghast at what they see as a monumental conflict of interest. One of
Also in this section
12 December 2025
The federal government is working with Alberta to improve the country’s access to Asian markets and reduce dependence on the US, but there are challenges to their plans
12 December 2025
The latest edition of our annual Outlook publication, titled 'The shape of energy to come: Creating unique pathways and managing shifting alliances', is available now
11 December 2025
The removal of the ban on oil and gas exploration and an overhaul of the system sends all the right messages for energy security, affordability and sustainability
10 December 2025
The economic and environmental cost of the seven-year exploration ban will be felt long after its removal
