In a statement made on Monday, U.S. Deputy Secretary for Energy David Turk expressed concern over China's current emissions reduction targets, stating that they are not as robust and ambitious as they need to be. Speaking at the COP28 summit, Turk emphasized the importance of evaluating implementation strategies, particularly in light of China's significant investment in coal.

Turk noted that while China has made considerable progress in areas such as electric vehicles (EVs), solar, and wind, the construction of coal-based infrastructure undermines the effectiveness of these efforts. The term "NDC" (nationally determined contributions) was referred to, indicating the emissions reduction targets submitted by countries to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change every five years.

According to Climate Action Tracker, an independent scientific review project, China's climate targets are currently classified as "highly insufficient," while the U.S. is categorized as "insufficient." Turk emphasized the need for both countries to raise their levels of ambition, considering their roles as the world's two largest economies and emitters.

During the recent Sunnylands meeting on climate change between the U.S. and China, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry extended a hand of collaboration, emphasizing the importance of working together where it makes sense. Turk stressed the significance of having all stakeholders, including oil and gas companies like Exxon, actively participating in climate discussions. However, he also emphasized the necessity of asking tough questions and holding companies accountable for their contribution to emissions.

Turk highlighted two specific areas for improvement within the oil and gas industry. Firstly, he called for a crackdown on methane emissions, which he referred to as the "biggest no brainer." Turk acknowledged the recent agreement to address methane emissions in the U.S. oil and gas sector and recognized the need to expedite progress in this area. Secondly, Turk urged a serious conversation surrounding Scope 3 emissions, stressing that such emissions often exceed the combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions for many oil and gas companies. He pointed out the pressing need for effective plans to reduce these emissions from a national and corporate level.

Moreover, Turk expressed concern over the disproportionate allocation of spending in the clean energy sector by oil and gas companies. Despite their significant profits, only 1% of global spending for clean energy comes from these corporations. Turk called for increased investments from the oil and gas industry in areas such as carbon capture, hydrogen, geothermal, and offshore wind, highlighting the potential for these companies to contribute positively to the energy transition.

In his final remarks, Turk addressed the controversial comments made by COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber, who questioned the scientific basis of targets for fossil fuel phase-out. In response, Turk emphasized that science and numbers speak for themselves, highlighting the urgency of the climate crisis and the need to stay within the limited carbon budget. He stressed the importance of acknowledging these facts, appreciating the gravity of the situation, and developing credible plans that address not only direct emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) but also indirect emissions (Scope 3) from the oil and gas sector.

As global leaders converge at COP28, Turk's comments shed light on the pressing need for stronger emissions reduction targets from China, increased ambition from both the U.S. and China, and greater accountability and investment from the oil and gas industry in the transition to a cleaner and sustainable energy future.