White Sneakers at COP – Santa's Reflections on COP as Climate Summit – A Fairy Tale for my network

"Dad – are you a fun guy? What do you want for Christmas, another book?" asked one of my teenagers this evening.

The teenager continued, "Are you again worried about the future of the world, and what COP, the Climate Summit in Dubai, will decide?"

As I stared at the screen, thinking about the future of Energy Transition, including Hydrogen and its global markets and what COP meant for it, it was late in the evening, and I dozed off…

........?

I was somehow in Santa’s body, and Santa decided to visit COP. As Santa got close to COP on his sleigh, he saw a beautiful city and many people gathered around. He decided to pretend he was an old man needing help, and as such, gather the spirits of people around him. He saw a lot of youthful people around, some of them in white shoes, called sneakers, which Santa loved as they reminded him of snow. …

As Santa, disguised as an elderly gentleman, walked through the bustling crowds of COP in this warm country, he couldn't help but overhear a myriad of intriguing conversations, each revealing a different facet of the climate change discourse – here are some of the dozen things Santa heard with his old, biased to energy transition, ears as he walked around:

1. Manufacturing Might: Santa chuckled as a group of young people animatedly discussed the rise in renewable energy manufacturing. "They're practically making everything from solar panels to wind turbines, albeit worrying that not all countries have caught up," one marveled, adjusting their pristine white sneakers that reminded Santa of his snowy homeland. Santa made a mental note of these white sneakers – he was thinking of what he wanted for Christmas.
2. Migrating Industries: Nearby, a pair of entrepreneurs debated the shift of energy-intensive industries to regions with more easily accessible renewable energy. "It's all about following the sun and wind these days," one said, their eyes twinkling like Christmas lights – albeit Santa could see some of the crowd disagree.
3. Climate Tech's Global Dance: At a coffee stand, Santa overheard a climate analyst excitedly talk about how climate technology was rekindling global trade and cooperation. "It's like a new era of globalization, all thanks to green tech!" they exclaimed, their enthusiasm lightning.
4. Versatile Infra Energy Solutions: In a quiet corner, a thoughtful professor lectured a group of students on the importance of flexibility in energy applications. "It's not just about what energy we use, but how we use it to fight CO2," he said, a sentiment Santa found wise and prudent – the future was much more about energy assets, no longer just commodities.
5. Methane, the Silent Foe: Santa's ears perked up as he passed by a heated debate on the oil industry's commitment to slashing methane emissions. "It's a massive step, almost like a Christmas miracle," one delegate said, and Santa smiled beneath his thick, white beard – this, he felt, was a good step – he always liked to be inclusive for all to work on change.
6. The Carbon Price Tag: A heated discussion caught Santa's attention, where the importance of putting a price on carbon to make climate projects feasible was passionately argued. "It's like setting the right price for the naughty and nice list," Santa mused to himself – and what is that Article 6 they all talk about – if only he could understand Swiss and Swedish – they seemed to talk about it a lot.
7. Investors as Climate Saviors: Santa nodded in agreement as he listened to a group of investors discuss their pivotal role in funding sustainable technologies. "Without the gold, there's no green," one investor quipped, reminding Santa of the importance of generosity in these times – he made a note to ask investors to donate to the loss and damage fund along with countries.
8. Rising Energy Appetite: At a food stall, Santa overheard a casual conversation about the increasing global energy demand in the world. "We need more, but it has to be clean," a young woman said, echoing Santa's thoughts on sustainable gift-giving.
9. Nuclear: A New Decarbonization Ally: Santa stumbled upon a debate over nuclear energy's role in the mix of decarbonization strategies. "It's like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," Santa mused, "unexpected, but shining bright in times of need."
10. Renewable Energy Racing Ahead: Santa's ears perked up as he overheard a lively debate on the acceleration of renewable energy. "It's growing threefold, and energy efficiency is doubling!" exclaimed a young delegate, their eyes sparkling with the same fervor as children on Christmas Eve. Santa nodded to himself, imagining his workshop running on triple the solar power and twice the efficiency of the Northern Lights.
11. The Hydrogen Glass Half Full and Fuller: Near a display of innovative technology, a group of experts discussed the rising importance of hydrogen in the global energy mix. "With 37 countries on board and a new ISO standard, it's like the new reindeer leading the sleigh of decarbonization," Santa thought, impressed by the commitment to defining and using hydrogen effectively globally.
12. Governments Going Green: At a panel discussion, Santa listened intently as speakers highlighted the increasing trend of green procurement by governments. "It's like making a list and checking it twice, but for sustainable purchases," he mused, thinking about how even small choices could lead to big changes.
13. Emerging Energy Transition Change Heroes: Finally, as Santa wandered past a celebratory event, he was struck by the announcement of 34 companies out of a thousand winning prestigious awards for their contributions to the energy transition. "New heroes of the modern age," Santa reflected with a warm smile, "leading the way just like the guiding star on a clear Christmas night."

Each overheard conversation and snippet of discussion filled Santa with a sense of hope and pride in the collective efforts of humanity – he was particularly delighted to see governments, businesspeople, and youth mingle without difference.

He wondered what was the common denominator – next to passion for climate – and then it struck him – it was something he saw everywhere - the white sneakers / shoes - government, business people, and youth – they all wore white sneakers.

As he prepared to leave, his heart was as light as the snowflakes back at the North Pole, buoyed by the knowledge that the world was indeed working together to create a brighter, greener future – he decided to coin 2 hashtags - #WhiteShoeCOP #WhiteSneakersCOP – he had learned from his teenager kids that hashtags were cool.

….

As I came out of the dream, still feeling the warmth of Santa's journey, I realized I had an answer for my teenager – yes, the world faces challenges, but the spirit of hope and collaboration I witnessed at COP through Santa eyes, symbolized by those white sneakers, reassured me that together, we are working towards a brighter, more sustainable future, just the kind of world I hope to leave for my children.

P.S. I want white sneakers for Christmas – dear family ??

Happy New Year soon to my network - this fairy tale replaces the Christmas card and New Year greetings. And fairy tales do happen - the day after I have written this fairy tale - the Climate summit delivered a historic deal on shifting away from fossil fuels.