Cop28 in Dubai is now well under way, but it remains difficult to reconcile the odd spectacle of a climate conference in the home of big oil. Fossil fuel companies must be part of the net zero solution, argue many Cop veterans, but the scepticism of others has been compounded by Cop28 president Sultan Al Jaber – also the chief executive of the United Arab Emirates’ state oil company, Adnoc – airing his view that there is no scientific basis for phasing out fossil fuels.
Clearly, the hope is that Al Jaber can bring Middle Eastern oil producers to the table. But others fear his dual role is a clear conflict of interest. Illustrator Sébastien Thibault’s cover image this week perfectly encapsulates the tricky balancing act.
