Al Jaber - who is set to preside over the forthcoming COP28 climate talks - underscored the pivotal role of the fossil fuel industry in combating the global climate crisis.
He delivered the message at the ADIPEC oil conference in Abu Dhabi.
While acknowledging the industry's historical association with climate challenges, Al Jaber urged its leaders to seize the opportunity and become a fundamental part of the solution.
"This industry can change the global debate... It is time to silence the skeptics by applying scale, capital, and technology to deliver outcomes," he asserted.
His clarion call was resolute: industry stakeholders must commit to curbing emissions from energy production and substantially expand the adoption of renewable energy sources.
Additionally, he advocated for embracing "low carbon solutions," such as carbon capture and storage, though some climate experts contend that these solutions divert focus from the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel emissions.
Sultan Al Jaber's appointment to lead COP28 has drawn scrutiny from climate activists, yet he has garnered support from COP parties including US climate envoy John Kerry.
His emphasis on the inevitability of a "phase-down of fossil fuels" resonated during his address.
In parallel, top oil executives and officials from major oil-producing nations including secretary-general of OPEC Haitham Al-Ghais voiced opposition to calls for halting fossil fuel investments.
Al-Ghais stressed the criticality of energy security for global economic prosperity and advocated for substantial annual investments of $600 billion in the oil industry until 2045.
As the COP28 talks draw nearer, these dialogues illuminate the intricate dynamics and challenges surrounding the fossil fuel industry's role in addressing climate change while safeguarding global energy security.
