Doha- Attempts to phase out fossil fuels are facing calls from Arab oil-exporting countries to ensure fair and just transitions in the field of energy. Countries argue that each country has its own mix, while some call for leaving each country to implement the transition according to its national policies and investments, as shown. The 12th Arab Energy Conference.
The conference – which is held under the slogan “Arab Energy and Cooperation” in Doha over two days – witnesses the participation of official delegations from all Arab countries, a group of senior officials and personalities, and an elite group of researchers and specialists in petroleum and energy affairs in Arab and international institutions.
The conference – organized by the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) – also coincides with the last days of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which has been held in the Emirates since the end of last November.
The session, “International Developments in Energy Markets and Their Implications on the Arab Energy Sector,” discussed mechanisms for developing fossil resources and providing them in ways that are low in emissions and safe for the environment to meet people’s needs and achieve economic development, as well as their use in the energy transition.
Unsustainable sources
The Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Managing Director and CEO of Qatar Energy, Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi, said that some renewable energy sources for generating electricity; Such as: Sun and wind are not available in many countries, and are not sustainable compared to fossil energy.
He added that there is a fundamental point that is not addressed in the energy transition, which is how to replace the products that come out of oil and gas. Such as: many petrochemical, leather, clothing, etc. industries, which will be difficult to replace.
Al-Kaabi considered that the role of oil and gas producers is to produce in a way that preserves the environment and limits carbon emissions. He cited as an example the State of Qatar, which during production captures carbon dioxide and injects it underground at a rate of 2.5 million tons annually, in addition to the fact that more than 75 tankers use liquefied gas as fuel. In addition to using solar energy, 10% of the energy used in the country.
The Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Tarek El Molla, supported him in his vision regarding the importance of balance between achieving development and energy transformation, and touched on putting pressure on oil as a source of energy, and not looking at coal, the most carbon-emitting export, which some major countries are still using today, and represents about 30% or 40% of its energy mix.
The Egyptian Minister believed that the transition to renewable energy is necessary, but abandoning natural resources is unreasonable, so he called for work to extract and use them properly, and for each country to have an appropriate mix of energy that achieves diversity and sustainability, provided that it includes solar, wind, hydroelectric, nuclear, and other energy. Sources.
Al-Mulla stressed the need for Arab countries to cooperate and unify their position in the COP28 talks, and to deal with global transformations in the field of energy and the pressures exerted on investments in fossil energy.
Conditions for developing countries
For his part, the Libyan Minister of Oil and Gas, Muhammad Aoun, said that the completion of alternative energy projects must be carried out on the conditions of developing countries, given that they have not prepared for part of these transformations, while the developed country seeks to impose them on them.
He warned that studies on renewable energies are not yet guaranteed, at a time when the world is stably dependent on oil and gas, which can be regulated and continued to rely on.
He added that the ideal method for energy transformation is to extract oil and gas, and try to purify them of harmful emissions.
As for the Secretary-General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Haitham Al-Ghais, he believes that energy transitions are just, fair and comprehensive, especially since the world needs large investments in all energy sources, including hydrocarbons, in light of the rise in the world’s population and the doubling of the value of the global domestic product.
Al-Ghais stressed that each country has its own appropriate mix to achieve the energy transition, and this is determined according to its resources and policies.
As for the Secretary-General of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), Jamal Issa Al-Loughani, he stressed that the conference addresses international developments taking place in energy markets and the repercussions they have at the Arab and international levels.
He pointed out that the Arab countries producing and exporting oil and gas face many challenges in the future, namely how to build sustainable and reliable energy systems, which requires a careful balance between different goals. Such as: emissions reduction, energy availability and affordability, as well as energy security.
During a number of sessions, the conference is scheduled to discuss energy sources in the Arab countries and the world, including the role of nuclear energy, the relationship of energy to sustainable development, petroleum industries and demand management in the region, and technical developments and their implications for this sector.
cup 28
The 12th Arab Energy Conference comes at a time when calls are being raised to get rid of fossil fuels, calls that have met with divisions in the COP28 talks, which end today, Tuesday.
An alliance of more than 80 countries, including the United States, the European Union and small island countries, is seeking to reach an agreement that includes a formula to “phase out” the use of oil, gas and coal, but it faces strong opposition led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies.
OPEC sent a letter to its members and supporters on December 6, asking them to oppose any formula targeting fossil fuels in the COP28 agreement, which received a response, according to Reuters.
Saudi Arabia – the largest oil producer in OPEC – as well as Russia and other countries say that the focus of the COP28 conference should be on reducing emissions, and not targeting the fuel sources that cause them, as Iraq confirmed this position.
China’s chief climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, said that any agreement reached by COP28 cannot be considered successful unless it includes an agreement on fossil fuels, although he did not mention whether Beijing would support an agreement to “phase out” it, and added. China is trying to find a solution acceptable to all parties that will resolve differences.
A copy of the negotiating text released last Friday showed that countries are still considering a range of options ranging from agreeing to “phase out fossil fuels in line with the best science,” to phasing out “fossil fuels that are produced and used without the use of energy-reducing technologies.” Greenhouse gas emissions, right up to no mention of it at all.”
