“A Conversation with Nature” in the Aftermath of COP28
COP28 in Dubai 2023: the “Beginning of the End” of the Fossil Fuel Era
Over the past 20 years, nearly three-fourths of human-caused emissions came from the burning of fossil fuels. We use them for everything: to heat our homes, run our vehicles, power industry and manufacturing, and provide us with electricity. It emphasises the challenge but also the priority to transition and transform our energy system.
The 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from 30th November to 12th December 2023, where the representatives from 197 countries showcased their efforts to limit global warming and held discussions to prepare for future climate change. It was the biggest of its kind with some 85,000 participants, including more than 150 Heads of State and Government, representatives of national delegations, civil society, business, Indigenous Peoples, youth, philanthropy, and international organizations in attendance.
This conference was particularly significant for several reasons.
This was the first time when the countries formally assessed their progress under the 2015 Paris climate agreement. It marked the conclusion of the first ‘global stocktake’ of the world’s efforts to address climate change over the past 8 years and ahead of the next 8 that will take us to 2030.
Having shown that progress was too slow across all areas of climate action – from reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to strengthening resilience to a changing climate, to getting the financial and technological support to vulnerable nations – countries responded with a decision on how to accelerate action across all areas by 2030.
With the conference taking place in the UAE, it also helped to put the spotlight on fossil fuels despite the fact that the text put forward by the summit presidency after 10 days of wrangling did not require a full phase-out of fossil fuels. The Middle East is central to the functioning of global energy markets. The region is home to five of the world's top 10 oil producers – Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Kuwait – and three of the top 20 gas producers. Fossil fuels also currently provide 97% of energy the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). And energy consumption continues to rise.
It is not an issue limited to the Middle East though. It concerns all countries in the world, because we all consume fossil fuels through our production and consumption systems, and let's not forget that our energetic needs continue to grow at a very rapid rate too. The Paris Agreement established a goal to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above preindustrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. Achieving this long-term temperature goal requires a transformation of the energy system to effectively eliminate unabated emissions of fossil fuels — with the ultimate objective to achieve net zero emissions, where any remaining emissions are offset by carbon sinks.
The Middle East is no stranger to strong, consistent winds. The region is blessed with vast stretches of arid deserts and expansive coastlines, making it a natural hotspot to develop wind energy production - an alternative to its fuel legacy.
Although the approach to fossil fuels at COP28 was seriously insufficient considering the current climate urgency and limited time we have to take action to mitigate its impact, we do not know the extent of what took place behind closed doors and COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber stated that “We have language on fossil fuel in the (COP) final agreement for the first time ever.” Beyond the debates, politics and economics surrounding fossil fuels, the pressure is also mounting to achieve rapid decarbonization of the global economy. It has become imperative to turn our own energy towards the alternative solutions with the acceleration in renewables additions, efficiency and electrification. Only galvanised action can make sure they happen at a scale and pace that are big and rapid enough.
Beyond the Global Stage: Amplifying the Role of Local Communities
“My final message is to ordinary people everywhere raising their voices for change. Every one of you is making a real difference.”
Global impact requires local action. With pressures intensifying in many parts of the world, empowering local communities has become imperative to design, implement, and deliver their own innovative solutions that are culturally appropriate and context specific. Piloting sustainable development initiatives at the local level addresses these challenges, many of which can be shared, scaled, replicated, and mainstreamed at local and national levels.
COP28 made it one of its mission to recognise and amplify the role of local communities, local and regional Governments in supporting sustainable lifestyles and regenerating local environments. This grassroots approach from the ground up is a necessary step in establishing important foundations for the future and speeding up the transformations needed.
If we take a closer look at the Middle East region in particular, the calls to accelerate collective climate action during COP28 last year have thrown a spotlight on climate change as a key business and societal challenge in this region. This, in turn, is inspiring companies to set ambitious new goals for climate action. Key findings from a latest PWC sustainability survey show that companies in the Gulf are making sustainability a focal point of their corporate strategic agenda. This marks a positive shift, as leadership support for sustainability was previously less established, with boards and C-suites less engaged.
The Buildings and Construction industry is a key industry in the Middle East which can act as a significant impetus in the whole region to contribute to evolve the energy system.
The Middle East is well known for its mega construction projects and the UAE is home to some of the world-record buildings including the Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world, or the One Za'abeel completed in 2024, the 'Longest Cantilevered Building' in the world with its panoramic sky concourse.
The engineering prowess the Middle East is showing in the construction sector is evolving into an important stimulus and asset to develop green technology into projects. Many Middle Eastern countries are now focused on activities to try and mitigate climate related impacts.
In Saudi Arabia for example, the government has created the National Transformation Project and the Vision 2030 strategy to innovate and diversify, providing a foundation to underpin the integration of sustainable development goals into the national planning process. It is planning to invest approximately USD1 trillion in the country’s non-hydrocarbon sector by 2030. Some of the key projects include Neom, the Red Sea Project, Qiddiya Entertainment City, King Abdullah Financial District and Amaala.
The recently launched Saudi Green Initiative and Middle East Green Initiative, are two large scale initiatives that are ‘defining an ambitious road map that rallies the region and significantly contributes to achieving global targets in confronting climate change’.
Al Dhafra solar park in Abu Dhabi. Photo credit: EWEC
Faced with growing desertification, increased air pollution and threats to marina and coastal environments, the initiatives seek to rehabilitate 40 million hectares of degraded lands, generate 50% of Saudi Arabia’s energy from renewables by 2030, and raise the rate of waste diversion from landfills to reach 94%. Through coordination with neighboring countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and other Middle East countries, the initiative will extend rehabilitation to 200 million hectares of degraded land.
In the UAE, the world’s largest single-site solar farm project completed in 2022, Noor Abu Dhabi covers an area of 8 kilometers and features 3.2 million solar panels. The project enables increased production of renewable energy and reduces reliance on the use of natural gas for electricity generation resulting in a carbon footprint reduction of 1 million metric tons per year, which is equivalent to taking 200,000 cars off the road.
Other significant alternative energy projects in the UAE include the Al Dafra Solar PV plant. Upon its completion in June 2023, Al Dhafra was the world’s largest single-site solar plant, using almost 4 million bifacial solar panels to generate enough electricity for approximately 200,000 homes across the UAE, displacing 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
The Role of Art as a Connector between People & Nature
Among the many local actors who can be involved in grassroots movements, the arts and cultural sector plays a beautiful and impactful role in engaging the public and its communities. It can influence trends, drive interdisciplinary collaboration, spark innovation, and entice action - all of which are essential to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Mark Dickens Fine Art, ‘Beautiful World’ in the collection of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
One of these local art initiatives was developed by British artist, Mark Dickens
A resident and golden visa holder in the UAE for the past two years, Mark has taken a very interesting twist in his career. Following COP28 in Dubai last year, he has launched a new art exhibition called ‘A Conversation with Nature’ in Abu Dhabi aiming to connect the local community with their immediate natural environments and the urgency to protect them.
His interest in the Middle East is not new. Mark has built a long-standing artistic relationship with the UAE which started when his work gained international recognition when His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan purchased numerous works for his private collection and the Guggenheim Museum Abu Dhabi.
Mark was also commissioned by Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management to commemorate the first Abu Dhabi GP at Yas Marina Circuit. He created 10 paintings for the commission which are now on permanent display at the Yas Marina Circuit. The 10 paintings featured handwritten poetry from the 20 competing drivers.
Silverston Circuit with Bernie Ecclestone, Sutton Images
Mark was then commissioned by Bernie Ecclestone to become the official Formula 1 artist to make paintings of each of the F1 races around the world. Mark travelled with Formula 1 Management and Bernie Ecclestone to every race on the Formula 1 calendar. These paintings featured images of the host cities and circuits and Mark collaborated with all the sponsors, Prime Ministers, Mayors, and Dignitaries of each city asking them to express what Formula meant to them and their country. They were then gifted the following year by Bernie Ecclestone to the promotor of each race.
During Marks’ tenure as the official Formula 1 Artist, he devised and led workshops and projects for companies such as Pirelli, tyre rolling with 10 Formula 1 Drivers in the Monza Paddock creating a unique 10 metre art piece. He has also worked on projects in some Favelas in Brazil as well as a Peace project in Bethlehem. He also launched the “Let’s Make Words Not War” in Brazil and London.
Mark Dickens Art project, Tyre Rolling Event, Grand Prix de Monaco 2021
Mark has recently completed a 25 painting project Ferrari in Art, showcasing the First 70 years of the iconic brand Ferrari. All leading personalities associated with Ferrari were asked to contribute handwritten quotes to this special project. Mark was delighted that the launch event was attendedby His Serene Royal Highness Prince Albert of Monaco, who had provided a handwritten quote for the series, and now displays the Box Set of 25 prints taken from the original paintings in his Car Collection Museum in Monaco.
Mark is regularly invited to lecture about his work at Leading Universities around the world giving students and insight into his success as an international artist. Mark has collaborated with students from Zayed University as well as one project at Yas Marina Circuit where 50 students made a 200 metre painting on the track, rolling inked tyres. The world’s longest tyre print!
From the Formula One Circuits to Co-Creating with Nature, Locally in Abu Dhabi
The new exhibition concept in the UAE (2024) is a true collaboration with Nature placing 30 art canvases and works on paper in various chosen locations in and around Abu Dhabi, leaving them in position for three months. Therefore, the conversation with nature begins the art process as birds, insects, animals (including Gazelles), wind, rain, sea, sun all interact leaving their impressions on the canvas surface.
After the three-month period the canvases are then collected and taken to Mark’s studio for him to continue the conversation with his Art practice/language. Mark will build on the impressions that nature has left on these canvases creating an artistic dialogue. Layer upon layer of photographic elements, paint/pigments, chalk, charcoal, fabric, all locally sourced materials.
These works are a true collaboration highlighting our relationship with the glorious natural environment of Abu Dhabi. The locations where the canvases were securely placed also feature in the artworks including images and co-ordinates.
The purpose of this show is to bring as many people as possible to the Manarat Al Saadiyat gallery to engage and interact with artworks and the issues raised, creating dialogues on their own social media platforms. The show will be at the centre of discussions far and wide, prompting debate about the environment and the artworks.
The canvases were placed and securely fixed in November 2023, and collected in February/March 2024. The 30 various sized canvases and works on paper range from 10cm x 10cm up to 100cm x 100cm.
The works address and highlight issues that affect all of us. Climate change, sustainability, disappearing wildlife and potential extinction of insects and birds. The UAE is at the forefront of directly addressing these issues and Mark has chosen this theme for his inaugural major solo exhibition in the UAE because he feels deeply about man’s respect for the environment in which he lives.
Manarat Al Saadiyat is uniquely placed in the beautiful cultural setting of Saadiyat and is a wonderful platform for Mark Dickens’ to show these unique, new beautiful pieces of mixed media art works.
The Exhibition: A Conversation with Nature
Artwork by Mark Dickens, “A Conversation with Nature”
“The inspiration behind ‘A Conversation with Nature’ stems from a profound desire to foster a genuine partnership with the natural world, directly engaging with its beauty and vitality through an artistic endeavor. This collaborative project will be unveiled at the Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi, marking an unprecedented fusion of art and nature.
For a span of three months, numerous blank canvases were strategically placed throughout Abu Dhabi’s diverse landscapes, including the desert, mangroves, beaches, rushes, and sea. During this period, the elements of nature; wind, rain, sun, insects, birds, and gazelles, began the artistic process by leaving their distinctive imprints on the canvas surfaces.
Building upon nature’s initial marks, I then moved the canvases to my studio to further develop the artwork.
At its core, this project underscores the paramount importance of approaching nature with humility and reverence, while also acknowledging the urgent threats facing our ecosystems.
As artists, our creative expressions are intrinsically tied to our relationship with the natural world, the beauty, the colours and the forms, all of which serve as great sources of inspiration and reflection.”