Realistic hope should be the legacy of Cop28
The appointment of the UAE’s Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber as Cop president has drawn criticism from some quarters, but progress on the energy transition will require cooperation, not conflict
It is no longer surprising to see a sudden surge of outrage aimed at energy leaders, often amplified by global and social media. Stories of heroes and villains remain popular. The World Energy Council community has been at the forefront of making energy transitions happen for a century, so has some experience to bring to the table. The latest outrage has been aimed at the credibility of the UAE’s appointed Cop president, Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, following concerns raised by some Western legislators. It is easy to join the bandwagon of criticism against a highly visible target, but progress rests on inclusion and sustaining cooperation, not conflict. More decentralised, decarbonised and d
Also in this section
9 January 2026
The Latin American producer’s crude prospects rely on a multi-pronged approach where even the relatively easy wins will take considerable time, effort and cost
9 January 2026
While many forecasters are reasserting the importance of oil and gas, petrostates should be under no illusion things are changing, and faster than they might think
8 January 2026
Indonesia and Malaysia are at the dawn of breathtaking digital capabilities. Their energy infrastructure must keep up with their ambitions
8 January 2026
The next five years will be critical for the North Sea, and it will be policy not geology that will decide the basin’s future






