ABU DHABI, UAE, April 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber was recognized with an award by the World Energy Council for his leadership in advancing the energy transition through the delivery of the historic UAE Consensus.
Dr. Al Jaber received the 'Global Energy Transition Impact Award'– one of four inaugural World Energy Leadership Awards – at the Council's Centennial Dinner, ahead of today's World Energy Congress. The award was given in honor of his work on the UAE Consensus, and for launching Net Zero energy transition alliances across multiple energy sectors.
"The award is really a recognition of the vision and commitment of the UAE's leadership in promoting a responsible energy transition," the President said in his acceptance speech. "They rallied the world around climate change, and they were instrumental in achieving the UAE Consensus," he said.
"We are delighted to bestow the inaugural Global Energy Transition Impact Award to H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber for achieving a historic COP28 agreement known as the UAE Consensus, and for the added achievements of launching Net Zero energy transition alliances involving multiple energy sectors," said Dr. Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO of the World Energy Council. "His personal commitment and persistence have set a new direction in world energy towards accelerating decarbonization with justice and resilience, leaving a lasting and positive impact on both society and the environment."
Since COP28, the UAE Consensus has emerged as the defining point of reference for global climate action, giving clear direction to countries on how to keep 1.5°C within reach, while transforming agreements into tangible outcomes, and ensuring global implementation.
"The groundbreaking agreement was a truly historic moment for climate diplomacy," Dr. Al Jaber told delegates, delivering a series of "firsts" – including a commitment from all Parties to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, time-bound targets to triple global renewable energy capacity, and being the first COP to proactively engage industry, particularly the oil and gas sector.
"At a time of geopolitical tension, COP28 set a new standard for inclusivity," the President said. "We moved the world beyond self-interest for the common good and we set clear direction, guided by the science, for keeping our North Star of 1.5°C within reach. We now need to show that same solidarity in turning an unprecedented agreement into unprecedented action."
"The UAE has been at the forefront of this growth," said Al Jaber. "In fact, if you sail from here into the North Sea, you will meet a white wall of windmills that the UAE, through Masdar, has invested in. Projects like the London Array, Dudgeon, Dogger Bank and Baltic Eagle are helping make Europe a world leader in wind power."
Even so, hydrocarbons still represent 80 percent of today's energy mix, he pointed out, and with energy demand set to grow by almost a quarter in the next two decades the world will need to replace the daily equivalent of over 270 million barrels of oil, gas and coal.
"This is a massive political, social, economic, technological and engineering challenges at the same time," Dr. Al Jaber said. "And every stakeholder has a critical role to play."
The President reiterated calls for countries to adopt comprehensive, economy-wide emission-reduction targets in their upcoming Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and for industries to collaborate on decarbonizing both the demand and supply side of the current energy system.