Controversial issues at COP28

About 140 world leaders and 70,000 participants are expected to attend the United Arab Emirates COP28 climate summit in Dubai

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber (left): COP28 President

Bashar al-Assad (top right): Syrian president invited, will be represented by Prime Minister Hussein Arnous (right)
      
Global Stocktake (GST): Top of agenda, GST commits to Nationally Determined
Contributions to cut emissions and keep global average temperature rise to below 2°C. GST is contentious – should recommendations be binding

Loss and Damage Fund: Compensation to developing countries experiencing losses
and damages from climate change. Disagreements over which countries should be eligible for support and which countries shoud pay

Fossil fuel phase-out:
Coal, oil and gas are main drivers of climate change.
COP28 President is head of state-run Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
Al Jaber is expected to use climate talks as platform to strike new oil and gas deals

Climate finance: Developed countries pledged $100 billion annually in 2009 for climate
finance. Current contributions are at around $10 billion annually. The U.S. is overwhelmingly responsible for shortfall. In 2021, it gave $9.3 billion – just 21% of its fair share
  

Sources: Chatham House, Reuters, World Climate Summit Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS