For nearly 30 years, nations, nonprofits, researchers, industry representatives, and other stakeholders have gathered annually at the United Nations’ Conference of Parties—commonly known as COP—to talk through implementation of the U.N.’s climate change treaty. Though deeply imperfect, these summits are a critical focal point of global climate diplomacy and policy every year.
But this year’s COP28 is set to be overshadowed by a massive conflict of interest: The president of the conference—charged with leading preparations, negotiations, and facilitating compromises—will be one of the world’s most prominent oil executives, as announced by this year’s host country. The United Arab Emirates has appointed Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber to the role.
Past COP presidents have most often often been government ministers in charge of environment or energy—which Al Jaber almostis. He is the U.A.E.’s minister of industry and advanced technology. But, in a COP first, Al Jaber has also been the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) since 2016. The fossil fuel giant is …