The U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP28) will take place from Nov. 30 until Dec. 12 in the United Arab Emirates, and experts are sharing their concerns about climate negotiations. 

In Dubai, activists expect the fight will be even harder, with the hydrocarbons industry intent on "not just delaying, denying, diverting meaningful climate action, but also greenwashing their polluting work", Farhana Sultana, professor of geography and the environment, tells France 24.

Sultana was also the lead author on an article published in The Guardian, “In 2023 we’ve seen climate destruction in real time, yet rich countries are poised to do little at COP28.”

“As the world prepares for COP28, the onus is on global leaders, corporations and individuals to rise to the occasion and champion the cause of climate justice. Wealthy nations must start putting real funding towards loss and damage, while ramping up their mitigation and adaptation efforts, and reining in the influence of the fossil fuel industry in climate policies,” writes Sultana and her co-author, Saleemul Huq, director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development.

Huq passed away unexpectedly this past weekend and is described by Sultana as “a visionary and steadfast leader on climate justice, a champion of developing countries at climate negotiations, an advocate for the global poor, and a source of inspiration to thousands worldwide.”

She discusses the blow to developing countries from his death in this Bloomberg interview.