Sultan al-Jaber is a key figure in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He serves as the UAE’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and is the CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Recently, he led a major business deal, merging ADNOC with Austria’s OMV. This $60 billion merger created the world’s fourth-largest company producing polyolefins—materials like polyethylene and polypropylene used in plastics. This move boosts innovation and offers an alternative to big players like China’s Sinopec and America’s ExxonMobil.
Last week, the energy world gathered in Houston, Texas, for CERAWeek, an annual conference hosted by S&P Global. Sultan al-Jaber was a star of the event, though he doesn’t often give interviews. However, he spoke with Malcolm Moore from the *Financial Times*. With Donald Trump back in office pushing a “drill baby, drill” approach, the oil industry is feeling confident again. Meanwhile, Europe is sticking to strict green policies, which some say hurt manufacturing and raise home energy costs. Interestingly, al-Jaber led the UAE’s COP28 climate change efforts in 2023, even while running an oil company.
In his interview, al-Jaber said, “Energy is the backbone of our global economy. No matter how we look at it, energy is key to everything we do.” At the same conference, Chris Wright, a former fracking business owner, gave a bold speech that got loud cheers. He called the green movement “irrational” and “almost religious,” saying, “energy is life.”
Al-Jaber agreed with a practical view, calling it “energy realism.” He believes developing countries should have the chance to grow their economies. He pointed out that after 24 years, climate change policies haven’t made much progress. To balance oil and climate goals, he sees the energy industry as part of the solution. His company is investing in renewable energy and artificial intelligence to diversify.
He describes himself as a “climate realist,” saying, “I see energy as essential—it drives our prosperity and growth.”
Sultan al-Jaber also has ties to the UK. He earned his PhD at Coventry University, studying how the UAE could attract foreign investment. While there, he bravely watched the local football team, Coventry City, play. The UAE also owns Manchester City, a top football club that wears sky blue and has won the Champions League. In 2013, Queen Elizabeth II honored al-Jaber with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) title for his charity work, energy leadership, and efforts to strengthen UAE-UK ties.
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