COP 28

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF COP28: The annual United Nations climate summit is just around the corner. Next week, leaders, ministers and diplomats will be heading to Dubai for COP28, which starts on November 30.

 

1 — Start with the basics: COP28 comes at a critical moment for the planet. Heat records were smashed this year; extreme weather brought destruction and death to every corner of the globe — and yet governments aren’t reducing emissions fast enough to stave off the worst of global warming. Here is a snapshot of the state of the planet, by Zia Weise and Chelsea Harvey.

 

2 — Who’s who: From presidents to activists and billionaires to lobbyists, tens of thousands of attendees will descend on Dubai over the coming weeks. Some are there to negotiate, others are hoping to strike deals; almost everyone will try to influence the outcome in one way or another. Charlie Cooper, Sara Schonhardt and Zia have a guide to the most important people to watch.

 

3 — Who wants what: But COPs are bigger than a handful of individuals. They remain the one forum where everyone has a say — and so competing national interests heavily influence the talks. Here’s the guide to the positions of the most influential countries and negotiating blocs, by Zia and Sara. 

 

4 — How the top emitters are getting along: The world’s superpowers hold significant sway over the climate talks. China and the U.S. are talking to each other again, but they remain at odds over a host of issues. Read this in-depth look at the divide between Beijing and Washington, by Sara and Zack Coleman. 

 

5 — What Big Oil is up to: Countries will at least discuss the parameters of a fossil fuel phaseout in Dubai, but that won’t change the fact that the oil business is bigger than ever. Read more about what’s behind the fossil fuel boom, by Ben Lefebvre and Zack. 

 

6 — The anti-green backlash: That fossil fuel boom, war and populist revolts are crowding the fate of the planet from the agenda as leaders head to Dubai. The odds of a successful COP28 outcome have been shrinking amid geopolitical turmoil and domestic headwinds. Karl Mathiesen, Charlie and Zack examine why the fight against global warming is under attack.