Al Jaber: phase-out of fossil fuels would not allow sustainable development “unless you want to take the world back into caves.

I was hopeful that we might see some great progress during COP28, however until now it turns out to be a huge disappointment.

As I mentioned in my previous newsletter, the fact that Al Jaber is not only the president of COP28 but also head of Adnoc , it clearly shows the conflict of interest in this case.

The science of climate change has provided undeniable clarity for decades: the imperative to halt fossil fuel consumption is undeniable. A failure to transition away from fossil fuels during COP28 would expose millions of vulnerable individuals to the dire consequences of climate change. Such an outcome would cast a regrettable shadow over COP28's legacy.

Additionally, Al Jaber holds a leadership position at Masdar, the UAE's renewable energy company. However, his appointment as COP28 president has been a subject of controversy . In the lead-up to the summit, leaked documents revealed the UAE's intention to utilize climate meetings with governments as a platform for advancing oil and gas agreements. Al Jaber has refuted any involvement with or awareness of the talking points mentioned in the leaked documents. Notably, independent analysis has indicated that Adnoc has the most extensive plans for expanding oil and gas operations, potentially challenging net-zero emissions goals.

Additionally France and around twenty other countries signed a pledge to ‘triple nuclear energy capacity from 2020 by 2050’ at COP28.

At the same time a recent inquiry conducted by the Centre for Climate Reporting and Channel 4 News uncovered Saudi officials discussing their efforts to deliberately boost oil demand in specific markets. Saudi Arabia remains steadfast in its belief that fossil fuels will retain a significant role in global energy markets for many years. However, the notion of "artificially" increasing demand has sparked criticism.

The deliberate focus on Asian and African markets has reignited the ongoing debate surrounding energy security versus climate concerns. Proponents of Saudi Arabia's strategy argue that prioritizing energy security in these markets takes precedence.

While Dubai chokes on smog as World leaders private jet in and out of the country, there has been a breakthrough in aviation as Virgin Atlantic flies 100% on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) - powered flight across the Atlantic

The London Heathrow to New York JFK flight will be powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel derived from waste products, with expected lifecycle carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reductions of up to 70%.

Operated on a Boeing 787 equipped with Rolls-Royce engines, this SAF consists of an 88% blend of fuel derived from waste fats, provided by AirBP, and a 12% portion made from plant sugars, supplied by Virent.

Virgin Atlantic emphasizes that SAF is readily available for immediate use, setting it apart from technologies like electric and hydrogen, which are still years away from widespread adoption.

International News:

1. West coast of Great Britain, Northern Italy, and the rest of Eastern Europe saw 10-30% above average November solar irradiance while other areas saw lower or close to average irradiance than normal.

2. Lithuania-based Solitek has launched a carport product line featuring 370 W glass-glass frameless modules. It is designed to withstand a snow load of up to 2.5 kN/m2 and 27m/s of wind loads.

3. Madrile?a Red de Gas is testing a heating system prototype developed by Germany company Vaillant that uses exclusively green hydrogen. The 25 kW system is equivalent in shape and size to a current natural gas heating system.

4. Recent research from Israel suggests that photovoltaic (PV) solar power surpasses afforestation in its effectiveness at combating climate change. Israeli scientists conducted a study to determine the time it would take for PV solar plants and afforestation initiatives to counteract the warming effects caused by land darkening. The findings revealed that in arid regions, PV solar fields could be more than 50 times more efficient than afforestation projects in achieving this goal.

Innovation:

1. Space-based Solar

This one definitely is thinking outside of the box. In fact, it’s thinking out of this world because one of solar’s major issues is that it requires physical space.

The idea of space-based solar has actually been around for a while, and China has announced that they have plans to launch a system at some point. If we need physical space, it makes sense to go to outer space.

An orbital solar power station could inexhaustibly produce clean energy because the sun always shines in space. The array would orbit 22,000 miles above Earth and then “beam” the energy back to the planet.

Understandably, this approach’s biggest hurdle is getting the system shipped out to space—the production cost would be pretty massive, and the system’s distance would naturally present some difficulties when the system requires repairs.?

2. Solar Paint

While photovoltaic (PV) rooftop systems have come a long way, they're still kind of bulky. Even though most people are physically capable of?installing their own PV systems with proper directions, simply painting a surface would significantly simplify the solar installation process.

Although solar paint is far off from being super effective when implemented, here is what innovators have come up with so far.

Currently, there are three types of solar paint being developed: hydrogen paint, quantum dot solar cells, and perovskite paint.

Researchers from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have pioneered Hydrogen paint, a remarkable innovation that harnesses energy from water vapor.

Within this paint, certain elements absorb moisture from the atmosphere, prompting the paint to utilize solar energy to break down the absorbed moisture into hydrogen and oxygen. This resulting hydrogen can then serve as a source of clean energy.

This method is touted as both eco-friendly and cost-effective, with the potential for widespread implementation across various locations.

Another promising technology, Quantum dot solar cells (also known as PV paint), has been developed by the University of Toronto. These nanoscale semiconductors, when applied as paint, capture light and convert it into electrical current.

This approach offers a substantially reduced cost per watt, and there is the possibility of these dots being up to 11% more efficient than traditional PV panels.

Lastly, there's Perovskite paint, often referred to as "spray-on solar cells." These innovative perovskite solar cells can be transformed into liquid form and easily applied to surfaces such as vehicles and roofs.

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As we reflect on the developments surrounding COP28, it is with a heavy heart that we must acknowledge its unfortunate disappointment. While the global community comes together to address climate change, we are reminded that much work remains to be done.

Recent strides in renewable energy and innovative technologies offer glimmers of hope, but they are not yet sufficient to counter the pressing need for a complete phase-out of fossil fuels. The urgency of this task is underscored by the persistent challenges we face, as evidenced by recent events that highlight the continued dependence on fossil energy sources.

Our commitment to a sustainable future demands unwavering dedication to transitioning away from fossil fuels. While COP28 may not have yielded the breakthroughs we had hoped for, it serves as a stark reminder that the battle against climate change requires persistent efforts and a united global front. We must advocate for the necessary changes in policies, practices, and investments that will pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.