Emissions from the oil company led by Cop28 president Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber would require centuries to be entirely removed using the promoted carbon capture technology, according to an analysis by Global Witness. Al Jaber, who heads the United Arab Emirates oil company Adnoc, has been advocating for carbon capture as a solution to the climate crisis. However, the research reveals that Adnoc’s efforts would take 343 years to capture all the CO2 emissions anticipated in the next six years alone.
Global Witness representative Jonathan Noronha Gant stated that the findings expose carbon capture as a “dangerous red herring” that fails to address the urgent climate crisis. Despite Al Jaber’s push for technical solutions, critics are concerned that the focus should be on substantial and rapid reductions in fossil fuel production and emissions.
The study, based on industry data, indicates that Adnoc’s oil and gas operations will produce an estimated 3,430 million tonnes of carbon between 2023 and 2030. Even with the company’s commitment to capturing 10 million tonnes annually by 2030, it would still take more than 340 years to offset the carbon produced during this period.
Al Jaber’s role as the president of Cop28 has faced criticism, particularly as the United Arab Emirates holds significant expansion plans for oil and gas. Greta Thunberg labeled it “completely ridiculous” for him to take the position, emphasizing the conflict of interest given his association with a fossil fuel company. Campaigners argue that carbon capture is often exploited by fossil fuel companies to create an illusion of environmental responsibility while expanding their operations and contributing to carbon emissions.
