On September 27, 2025, two events—one in New York and the other in Doha—brought the world’s attention squarely onto the crossroads of climate change, energy security, and the future of the global economy. At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Donald Trump, never one to mince words, declared climate change science "the biggest con job." According to Times Evoke, this was not the first time Trump had voiced such skepticism, but the setting and length of his remarks took many by surprise. Yet, if Trump’s speech was meant to sway the world, it seemed to have the opposite effect: the very next day, 121 countries joined the UN Secretary General’s climate summit, signaling a unified global commitment to climate action and leaving the United States conspicuously isolated.
Meanwhile, over 6,500 miles away, the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Qatar 2025 convened at Georgetown University in Qatar. The event, organized under YOUNGO—the youth arm of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)—brought together students, activists, and experts to shape youth-driven messages for the upcoming COP climate negotiations. The Al-Attiyah Foundation, serving as Knowledge Partner, hosted a high-level panel that dove headfirst into the urgent and complex transition facing energy-producing nations.
The panel, featuring Adil Mohammad (Deputy CEO of MBK-Global), Michael Wood (Partner, MENA EY Sustainability), and Dr. Marcello Contestabile (Chief Economist at QEERI), tackled some of the thorniest issues in today’s energy debate. As reported by the Al-Attiyah Foundation, they examined how countries can balance energy security with climate goals, the evolving role of natural gas as a transition fuel, and the promise of emerging technologies like carbon capture, green hydrogen, and advanced energy storage. The conversation wasn’t just academic; it was grounded in the real-world pressures of financing and policy, with a particular focus on how sovereign wealth funds and state-owned enterprises might drive diversification away from fossil fuels.
Qatar, a global leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, found itself at the heart of these discussions. The country’s growing investments in renewable energy are positioning the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as a central player in the global climate and energy debate. As the panelists noted, the challenges and opportunities for fossil fuel-dependent nations trying to align with the Paris Agreement and the global net-zero agenda are immense. But the stakes couldn’t be higher: the world is watching to see whether countries like Qatar can successfully pivot toward a sustainable, diversified future.
Back in Oxford, Professor Thomas Hale of the Blavatnik School of Government put the global situation in perspective. Speaking with Times Evoke, Hale observed, "We didn’t learn anything new about Donald Trump—but we did learn the commitment of the rest of the world to look reality in the face." Hale underscored that, despite political rhetoric, the momentum behind renewable energy is only growing stronger. "The economic and security case for renewable energy grows stronger every day," he said. Countries are increasingly motivated by the desire for cheap, abundant, and secure power—especially as the artificial intelligence revolution, economic development, and geopolitical risks reshape global priorities.
One of the most striking trends Hale highlighted is the continuity in renewable energy investments, regardless of changes in political leadership. According to the latest annual report from Oxford’s Net Zero Tracker project, in the 12 months leading up to September 28, 2025, more big U.S. companies have added net zero targets than dropped them—a notable 9% increase. "The transition has gone beyond one person in the White House—it’s driven by deep structural factors," Hale explained. Even as the federal government steps back, states like California—one of the world’s largest economies in its own right—are doubling down on their commitments to the energy transition.
Yet, the road ahead is anything but smooth. The energy transition is far from evenly distributed. China, for example, currently dominates the manufacturing and deployment of key renewable technologies, from photovoltaic cells and wind turbines to electric vehicles and batteries. As Hale put it, "China’s hegemonic presence in these markets makes many wonder how that could lead to the global transition everyone needs?" Relying on a single country to supply the world’s green technology is not a stable solution. Instead, Hale advocates for a coalition of countries to develop their own value in the transition and share in the benefits fairly—a sentiment echoed in the Doha panel’s emphasis on diversification and innovation.
India, too, is emerging as a major player in the renewable energy space. According to Times Evoke, India’s rapid growth in renewables positions it as a leader, demonstrating that countries outside the traditional energy giants can shape the future of the green economy. The message from both Oxford and Doha was clear: nations must come together to build a shared green economy, avoiding mercantilist or obstructionist policies that could slow progress.
Of course, the future of the fossil fuel industry looms large over these discussions. Professor Hale outlined two possible scenarios. In the first, countries continue to maximize fossil fuel production in the short term, leading to fierce competition, potentially flat oil prices, and the risk of bankruptcies and stranded assets. "Eventually, the music will stop—some companies will go bankrupt, some assets will get stranded, investors won’t get money back and some workers will be cut," he warned. The alternative is a more orderly, phased-down production pathway, aligned with global climate goals and offering a longer, more sustainable future for companies, communities, and investors alike.
For fossil fuel-dependent governments, the stakes are not just environmental but fiscal. Many rely on oil and gas revenues to fund essential public services. As the energy transition accelerates, finding new sources of revenue will be critical to avoid budget shortfalls—a challenge that the Doha panel highlighted as especially urgent for countries in the MENA region.
One of the most hopeful threads running through both the Oxford and Doha conversations was the role of youth. The LCOY Qatar 2025 event placed young people at the center of the energy transition, emphasizing their importance in driving innovation, raising awareness, and advocating for a just and ambitious shift to sustainability. The Al-Attiyah Foundation, in its role as a bridge between policymakers, industry leaders, and the next generation, reaffirmed the need to listen to youth voices as the world navigates this historic transformation.
As the dust settles from a week of high-stakes dialogue, one thing is clear: the global push for climate action is gaining momentum, propelled by economic logic, technological innovation, and a groundswell of commitment from both established powers and emerging leaders. The path forward may be fraught with uncertainty, but the resolve to build a sustainable future is stronger than ever.