The influence of the fossil fuel industry at the United Nations annual climate conference, commonly called COP28, was a focal point on Monday with the president of the talks pushing back against criticism that his role heading a fossil fuel company conflicted with the need to reduce fossil fuel use. Meanwhile, The Associated Press found that the number of people in Dubai affiliated with fossil fuel interests had substantially grown compared with previous years.
Adding to the criticism was former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who noted the conflict in COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber's dual roles — leading the conference and an oil company — and said it “goes to the heart” of whether the world can prevent even more dangerous warming.
