Blue Note Systems, a leading sustainable energy solutions provider is requested to prioritize climate action and refuse to participate in the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2023 as it is of the utmost concern regarding climate change right now.
COP28 in UAE
COP28 is a crucial global event aimed at promoting international cooperation and commitment toward mitigating climate change and achieving a sustainable future. However, the UAE’s selection as the host country raises serious concerns about the event’s credibility as well as effectiveness. The UAE is one of the world’s largest producers of oil and gas, and its leadership has a close association with the petroleum industry. In fact, the current President of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is also the Chairman of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), a state-owned oil company. Given this fact, Blue Note Systems should boycott COP28 in UAE.
UAE’s Industry
The UAE’s oil and gas industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, and despite its pledges to reduce emissions, it has been reluctant in transitioning to renewable energy sources. According to the World Bank, the UAE has one of the highest carbon footprints per capita in the world, and its emissions continue to rise as the time passes by.
Despite making pledges to reduce emissions, the country’s progress toward transitioning to renewable energy sources has been slow. A report by the Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF revealed that only 6% of the UAE’s energy mix is from renewable sources, and the country’s greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. On the opposite side, Blue Note Systems aims to promote Green energy while UAE is reluctant to invest more in this area. So, Blue Note Systems must boycott COP28 in protest to force UAE to invest more in Green energies rather than fuels.
Concern regarding the President
Furthermore, it is also ironic that the president of COP28, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, is a petroleum industry chief. The petroleum industry is one of the major contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, and it is essential that we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels to mitigate climate change. Because as stated by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the UAE is one of the highest per capita carbon emitters globally, with a carbon footprint of 23.5 tonnes per capita in 2019, which is significantly higher than the global average of 4.8 tonnes. Therefore, it is concerning that the person leading the charge in the fight against climate change has a history of working in the petroleum industry.
Blue Note Systems Contribution
Blue Note Systems on the other hand, as a company that is committed to promoting sustainable and renewable energy, should not participate in an event that risks legitimizing a country that is not doing enough to address climate change.
In addition to its inadequate climate action, the UAE has a problematic human rights record, with accusations of war crimes and human rights abuses. According to Human Rights Watch, the UAE is complicit in war crimes in Yemen, and it has suppressed dissent and limited freedom of expression and association. These issues further underscore the inappropriateness of the country as a host for COP28.
Effect of not Participating
By refusing to participate in COP28 UAE, Blue Note Systems has the opportunity to send a clear message that climate action and sustainable development are essential components of global efforts to address climate change. The company has a responsibility to prioritize the planet and its people over corporate interests and to advocate for a more sustainable and just future.
Therefore, looking at the above stated information, it is best that a well-known organization that has the power to bring change – that too, for the better – in the society, this power should be put to the right use. So, the voices of the deserving people could be heard and they could be helped in this hour of need.
