As we emerge from the arid heat and political hothouse that was the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, what has been achieved? Well, although the final outcome fell short for some, was it perhaps as strong a response to climate science as we could have hoped for?  

 

The decision to elect Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber as President of COP28 came under heavy fire, both ahead of and during the conference. However, his dual roles as CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Chairman of Masdar, the UAE’s state-owned and fast-growing renewable energy company, may have been intrinsic to reaching the final outcome.   

 

According to the EI’s Statistical Review of World Energy, 82% of the world’s primary energy still comes from coal, oil and gas. Agreement for the first time that we need to transition away from all fossil fuels is a substantial achievement, one that goes beyond the obvious symbolism and which perhaps few other countries could have credibly achieved. 

 

Major new ambitions for 2030 

Several other outcomes from COP28 will also be vital for the future of the energy sector and align with work the EI is already undertaking. The agreement to double the average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030 is crucial. This is an area in which the EI has long advocated greater ambition, exemplified by our professional development of chartered energy managers and initiatives like Energy Aware.  

 

As the axiom goes, the cleanest energy is that which we don’t use at all.  

 

In addition, the commitment to tripling renewables by 2030 resonates with the EI's collaborative efforts, notably as the home of the G+ Global Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation, and its UK onshore wind counterpart, SafetyOn, we are working with industry, regulators and other stakeholders to publish the data and develop the good practice to help make this vital sector safer for its growing workforce.   

 

Similarly, the EI’s support for the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), particularly its energy transition task force’s work on accelerating grid access for renewables, will be an important part of making this ambition a reality.   

 

Another crucial outcome for combatting climate change is the agreement and funding announced for cutting methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030. Tackling fugitive methane emissions, largely from fossil fuel production and agriculture, is seen as the single most important action we can take in the near term. The EI has championed the reduction of methane emissions – a greenhouse gas with a warming potential more than 80 times that of CO₂ over a 20-year period – through our involvement in the Methane Guiding Principles and other initiatives. 

 

The EI at COP28 

For the first time, the EI was officially accredited as an ‘observer’, giving us all-important access to the blue zone area. We were able to attend and speak at a range of sessions across the Dubai venue.   

 

Our engagement was multifaceted. We joined the Sustainable Markets Initiative Business and Philanthropy Forum, where we had the opportunity to interact with and see some of the world’s leading players in tackling climate change, including US Climate Envoy John Kerry and Bill Gates, and contribute our insights to these crucial discussions. Juliet participated in the flagship plenary energy panel session (watch the recording here), while Nick chaired a round table on fusion energy. 

 

At an EI event in the green zone, EI Middle East Chair Dr Waddah Ghanem Al Hashmi FEI, the Chair of EI Young Professionals Shahda Al Taie AMEI, and Dubai-based fellow Kate Dourian FEI, joined us on stage to discuss findings from the recently published UAE Energy Barometer, the Statistical Review of World Energy Country Tracker, and skills development opportunities for energy sector workers.  

 

Following a panel Juliet led with partner Kearney on the importance of leadership for the transition, we launched the Executive Leadership in Energy Programme, an initiative designed to equip energy leaders with the skills needed to ensure the success of the transition.  

 

Nick was also delighted to join the panel organised by POWERful Women in partnership with the UK government for an engaging discussion on diversity, skills and talent for the energy transition, underscoring the centrality of inclusivity for a just transition.  

 

We engaged in other panel sessions, presentations and countless planned and unplanned meetings across COP. Whilst mindful of the cost and carbon impact of our travel to Dubai, it was an incredibly productive, engaging and hopefully impactful week.   

 

What this means for the EI going forward 

Looking ahead, the EI remains resolute in its mission to serve its members and society by helping to accelerate a just energy transition. Prioritising the development of the future energy workforce through the newly launched EI Academy is pivotal, as is our commitment to guiding informed decision-making through products such as the Statistical Review of World Energy and our Energy Barometer.  

 

Increasing collaboration between industry, regulators and academic stakeholders via our Technical Good Practice Programme will help propel practical solutions for an expedited transition. 

 

The centrality of energy and the role of the EI has never been clearer. Our members play an indispensable role in steering this transition towards a sustainable future. The urgency to accelerate these shifts is undeniable, and the EI will play its full part in making COP28’s ‘UAE Consensus’ a reality.