By the numbers: a statistical review of my time with Ipieca

93 Impact Pathways in the Ipieca-WBCSD SDG Roadmap. Ninety-three might sound small compared to the countless discussions, debates, and compromises that went into shaping them. For 18 months, I had the privilege of leading this project through the challenges of a pandemic - working entirely virtually, navigating diverse perspectives, and finding common ground. These pathways represent how our industry can contribute meaningfully to the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. It was my first project at Ipieca and an incredible deep dive into climate, nature, and people topics. Today, the SDG Roadmap continues to be a relevant and impactful guide for our sector, and I’m proud to have helped lay its foundation.

Then there’s 26, not the number of COPs I have attended, but since COP26 in Glasgow, I’ve had the privilege of representing Ipieca at every COP, with the most recent being COP30 in Belém just a few weeks ago. For me, these conferences aren’t just about negotiations, they’re about listening to the conversations that shape global climate action and making sure the voice of our industry is part of that dialogue, while staying true to our non-lobby status.

These conferences aren’t just about negotiations, they’re about listening to the conversations that shape global climate action and making sure the voice of our industry is part of that dialogue

Ipieca’s role at COPs is unique: as an official observer organisation we listen to the negotiations and provide feedback to our members. We also create spaces for constructive engagement, organising side events that bring together global organisations, NGOs, and companies to discuss how the energy sector can contribute to a net-zero future. These moments matter because they’re where ideas turn into collaboration and where ambition meets practicality. Being part of those conversations, seeing perspectives align, and helping build understanding across sectors has been one of the most rewarding parts of my time in Ipieca.

Along the way, I’ve travelled to 23 countries, to meet with members, speak and especially listen to stakeholders and learn a lot about different cultures, their specific challenges and various pathways to a future we can all be proud of.

570 days—that’s my Duolingo streak for Spanish. One of the most unexpected joys of this journey has been embracing the challenge of learning Spanish, thanks to my colleagues from Mexico and Spain who convinced me to give it a try. Over those 570 days, I’ve been weaving Spanish into conversations and discovering how much it strengthens connections. And yes, there were plenty of moments desperately scanning the room for a German speaker to show off in my mother tongue!

0 That’s the goal! Net-zero emissions by 2050 and also a reminder of a speech our former Climate Change Group Chair gave at one of our AGMs: our Climate Change Group is working hard to achieve (net) zero! And they do that very successfully - when I joined Ipieca only one of our member companies had recently declared their net-zero emissions target and this number has grown very quickly; today 36 of our member companies have declared some form of net-zero emissions ambition.

Of course, none of this would have been possible - or nearly as much fun - without the 33 fantastic colleagues in the Ipieca secretariat I had the privilege to work with. For such a small organisation, the impact and results they deliver are truly impressive, and that’s down to the commitment and talent of every single person in the team. It was a pleasure to learn from them, collaborate on complex challenges, and mentor new joiners as they found their footing.

And beyond the secretariat, there’s an entire network of countless representatives from our member companies who, often on top of their day jobs, go above and beyond to provide input into Ipieca’s work. Their willingness to share, explain, and push for progress has been inspiring and very motivating. In the end, it really is all about the people. Bringing them all together once a year at Ipieca Week is a reminder that progress doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens when passionate, committed people come together, share ideas, and push each other forward.

But the network didn’t stop there. Over the years, I’ve collected a stack of business cards that now measures 24 centimetres high. Each card represents a conversation, a stakeholder, a member, or a partner who helped shape our work. Browsing through them feels like flipping through an old car quartet game, sparking memories and ideas for future connections.

Energy access has always been a big driver for me. Today, 2.1 billion people still cook with traditional fuels, exposing families to harmful indoor air pollution and perpetuating gender inequality as women spend hours collecting firewood. At the same time, 666 million people live without electricity, limiting education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. These numbers are not just statistics, they represent lives held back from progress. Energy and human development are inseparable: without modern energy, we cannot achieve health, education, or poverty reduction goals. Working in the oil and gas industry, I’ve seen firsthand the responsibility and opportunity to bridge this gap - while accelerating the transition to cleaner, sustainable solutions. For me, the energy transition is not only about reducing emissions; it’s about ensuring that no one is left behind.

56.4 gigatonnes of CO₂e.This number is staggering—it represents the highest level in human history and underscores the urgency of accelerating climate action. Every gigatonne matters because each year at this pace eats away at the remaining carbon budget to keep warming below 1.5 °C. For me, this figure is a reminder that while progress is being made, the scale of the challenge demands collaboration across industries, governments, and communities. We cannot afford incremental change; we need transformative solutions now.

Finally, 7 months—that’s how long I’ve worked alongside my fantastic colleague Salmaan Hussain, seconded from PETRONAS, who will fully take over from January 1. Salmaan, it’s been a pleasure working with you - keep the streak going!

As I wrap up this chapter, I know I’ll miss the colleagues I worked so closely with every day, and the great humour especially shared with my boss. At the same time, I’m looking forward to what’s next as I return to ExxonMobil. I’ll always be an ambassador for Ipieca, the incredible work, the commitment, and most of all, the people who make it happen.