Flash Points: Will COP28 be the most contentious in years?

FP’s essential reads as the climate conference starts. DECEMBER 3, 2023  |  [VIEW IN BROWSER](     Sponsored by [The Geopolitics of Business podcast]( [The foggy skyline of Dubai at sunrise on Dec. 5, 2016.]( The foggy skyline of Dubai at sunrise on Dec. 5, 2016. Rustam Azmi/Getty Images Prepare for heated debate as the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP28, kicks off. This year’s summit, Nigel Purvis [writes](, “could prove the most contentious round of climate talks in almost a decade.” The conference sparked controversy even before it began: Its host country—the United Arab Emirates—is a major oil producer. And in the lead-up to the summit, new reports showed that the earth is set to breach 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming sooner than expected. COP28 is expected to be a pivotal moment for the international community as countries hash out, among other issues, the future of climate finance and the details of wealthy countries’ commitments to provide climate funding to the global south. The essays below offer essential context to understanding the talks, and, altogether, provide a guide to the summit.—Chloe Hadavas   [1]( [Why COP28 Could Be the Most Contentious in Years]( Prepare for the first real global debate on the future of fossil fuels. By Nigel Purvis   [2]( [The Global North Is Alienating the Global South Before COP28 Even Starts]( Dismissing the summit because its host is an oil producer is hypocritical and dangerous. By Manal Shehabi   [3]( [What an Emerging Narrative About Renewables Gets Wrong]( The green transition will mean less mining, not more. By Jeff Opperman   Analyzing the world. [Subscribe to FP](.   [4]( [India Isn’t Interested in the West’s Climate Money]( Why the Indian government isn’t signing on to a climate finance deal designed to go global. By Shayak Sengupta, Abhinav Jindal   [5]( [Will the World’s Biggest Emitters Finally Play Nice at COP28?]( It’s time to stop fighting totemic battles that suck the energy out of the climate room. By Ravi Agrawal Sponsored [A new show from Sam Gyimah produced by FP Studios]( The podcast where the boardroom meets the stateroom. On every episode, host Sam Gyimah has frank discussions on the impacts on business of big political decisions with the world’s leading investors, CEOs and politicians. [Follow and listen]( wherever you get your podcasts.   Give your team a global perspective [One FP group subscription can help your organization navigate an ever-changing world—and make smarter decisions along the way.]( [LEARN MORE](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( You’re receiving this email at {EMAIL} because you signed up for FP's Flash Points newsletter. [MANAGE YOUR EMAIL PREFERENCES]( | [VIEW OUR PRIVACY POLICY]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Interested in partnering with FP on events, podcasts, or research? [Explore FP Solutions](. [Foreign Policy]( is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents © 2023 Graham Digital Holding Company LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 655 15th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20005.