Climate talks begin with spotlight on oil chief

THE future of fossil fuels – the leading source of planet-heating emissions – will face scrutiny at United Nations climate negotiations today with an under-fire Emirati oil chief poised to step into the driver’s seat.

As the world struggles to limit warming to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels, pressure is on the United Arab Emirates to arrive in Germany with ambitious plans for its presidency of Dubai’s December COP28 climate summit.