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