The United Arab Emirates (UAE), set to host the vital Cop28 UN climate summit in December, has been exposed for failing to report its methane emissions to the UN for nearly ten years, according to an investigation by The Guardian. The country's state-owned oil company, Adnoc, headed by CEO Sultan Al Jaber, who will lead the climate summit, has also been criticized for setting an elevated methane leak reduction target, contradictory to its purported achievements. The revelations are particularly damaging as the UAE plans a significant expansion of oil and gas production, despite scientific advice to the contrary.
Methane contributes significantly to global warming, with leaks from fossil fuel activities being a major source. While countries have been required to submit methane emissions reports every two years since 2014, the UAE has failed to comply, setting it apart from other Middle Eastern oil-producing nations like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Adnoc declared its intention in 2022 to limit methane leaks to less than 0.15% by 2025, yet this goal surpasses levels achieved by Qatar and Saudi Arabia in 2019, as indicated by Harvard University satellite data. Scientists suggest that high leakage rates in the UAE and other countries stem from leaky infrastructure and deliberate venting of gas.
Moreover, Adnoc's commitment to achieving "net zero" emissions by 2045 has been criticized for excluding the vast emissions resulting from the burning of oil and gas it sells, known as scope 3 emissions. This contrasts with other oil companies that have pledged comprehensive net-zero targets. Allegations of hypocrisy surround Al Jaber's leadership role at Cop28, with critics highlighting the UAE's lack of methane reporting, contradictory targets, and extensive fossil fuel expansion as undermining the country's credibility in addressing the climate crisis. In response to the revelations, Adnoc claims to have minimal carbon-intensive production and aims for zero methane emissions by 2030. The UAE, however, still faces concerns about the insufficiency of its climate pledges, even though it has recently enhanced its commitments. The exposé follows previous reports of fake social media accounts and email access by Adnoc to the Cop28 office.
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