How to make an accused war criminal feel welcome? With a a 21-gun salute and a flypast trailing the white, blue and red of the Russian flag, naturally. See the UAE’s charm offensive (or is it offensive charm?) for yourself. WHERE TO NEXT? The location of this year’s climate summit has been contentious, given the UAE’s fossil fuel interests. Next year may be no different: Another oil-rich state just got a major boost in its bid to host COP29, a question that has been stuck in limbo because of Russia. The COP political football: Though the next conference is meant to take place in Eastern Europe, Russia has prevented any EU country from hosting, claiming none would be “impartial,” as Zia Weise reported. Azerbaijan and Armenia have both stepped in to offer hosting — but until now, the frequently warring countries have been blocking each other. You scratch my back: In a surprising reversal, Armenia announced it would back Azerbaijan’s candidacy and withdraw its own. And in a “sign of good gesture,” Azerbaijan will support the Armenian bid for Eastern European Group COP Bureau membership. More on that here from Corbin Hiar. But that’s not all: Reuters reports that Moldova has raised its hand to take over the COP presidency from the UAE, but said it would not host the enormous event, while Serbia is also interested in hosting and running COP29. It seems everyone wants a piece of COP action. WHO’S HOT AT COP ENERGY MINISTERS FLY IN: Most climate ministers are now in Dubai with the aim of getting a final COP28 agreement over the line. Here’s Playbook’s guide to the key players to watch over the coming days, courtesy of POLITICO’s ace team of climate and energy reporters Sara Schonhardt, Karl Mathiesen, Zack Colman and Zia Weise — all on the ground here at COP. Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, COP president: Turns out choosing the head of an oil company to run U.N. climate talks was … errr … controversial. Who’d have thought? Even before the proceedings began, al-Jaber was engulfed in controversy after reports the UAE had sought to strike oil and gas deals during COP. A video then emerged of him mansplaining climate change to former Irish President Mary Robinson. Nonetheless, those who work with him praise al-Jaber’s negotiating skills and ability to bring business on board, citing last Saturday’s announcement by several major oil and gas companies of plans to reduce methane leaks by 2030 as an example. Simon Stiell, UN climate chief: A former small-island champion from Grenada, Stiell’s appointment last year to head the U.N.’s team was a surprise — but welcomed by climate negotiators. Recently, he’s been a visible presence by al-Jaber’s side at press conferences. Stiell’s conundrum: Trying to balance the competing interests of nearly 200 nations, including host state UAE. Xie Zhenhua, China’s climate envoy: Chinese leader Xi Jinping may have opted not to attend COP28, but his climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, is a formidable player behind the scenes. Xie is a diplomatic veteran approaching his swan song at COP28 (he’s expected to stand down after the summit). The world can’t slow climate change without Beijing — and Xie knows it. China’s commitments — struck last month during talks with the U.S. — to reduce emissions from its power sector this decade and to curb all greenhouse gases (not just carbon dioxide) is viewed as a good start by climate campaigners. But Xie’s clear past statement that a fossil fuel “phase-out” is “unrealistic” seems to have hurt the chances of that phrase making it into the final agreement. Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta, chair of the G77 + China: Cuba currently holds the presidency of the so-called Group of 77 + China — the biggest negotiating bloc at COP. That gives Havana’s special representative for the presidency a key coordinating role. Pedroso, a veteran diplomat, needs to navigate a huge grouping (which now includes 134 countries) with a wide range of priorities and viewpoints — and there are smaller negotiating blocs within it. But on some core issues, particularly around climate finance, it stands broadly united. Wopke Hoekstra, European commissioner for climate action: A newbie to the climate world, the EU’s new climate action boss is in Dubai after just two months on the job. The Dutchman stepped into the shoes of his compatriot Frans Timmermans, who left Brussels to return to domestic politics. Hoekstra, a former Shell employee and conservative finance minister, has no experience in climate diplomacy, and has faced hostility from green campaigners and left-wing politicians since taking office, despite pushing for a tough line on fossil fuels. Teresa Ribera, minister for the ecological transition of Spain: Ribera, who also serves as deputy prime minister, has a key role at the talks because Spain currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. Together with Hoekstra, Ribera represents the views of the 27 member countries of the EU — a formidable body at the climate talks. SKILLS DAY JOBS IN FOCUS: Today’s thematic focus at COP28 is skills (as well as education and youth). To set the scene, Playbook sat down with a company that knows a thing or two about the job market: LinkedIn. “If we’re going to get to net zero, we need people to drive the transition,” said Sue Duke, head of global public policy at the business-focused social media platform. “We’ve got to equip people with the skills, knowledge and expertise they need to drive this transition.” Mind the gap: A new report shows the challenge ahead. It finds that globally, green hiring is outpacing overall hiring in key markets — but just one-in-eight employees has one or more green skill. THE KING’S COP: Meanwhile, the Sustainable Markets Initiative (that’s King Charles’ pet project) this morning announces a new blended finance initiative, which includes direct help for farmers. The hope is to unlock trillions for regenerative agriculture (meaning a more sustainable approach to food and farming systems). Royal pulling power: Some of the world’s biggest food groups, including Mars, McDonalds, Mondelēz, Pepsi and Waitrose, as well as companies like Lloyds, have signed up. And perhaps in a move that isn’t a total coincidence, many of their CEOs attended Charles’ snazzy reception for chief execs last week at the Expo. ALSO TODAY — YOU’VE HEARD OF A WALK-OUT, NOW CHECK OUT THIS WALK-IN: Civil society groups including the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), 350.org and the Pacific Climate Warriors will stage a walk-in this morning in the Blue Zone to call for a robust final COP text — including a commitment to phase out fossil fuel. DUTCH SUBSIDY SCRUB CLUB SCOOP: The Netherlands will unveil details of a new club of countries committing to take steps toward ending the practice of pouring billions of dollars each year into fossil fuel subsidies, a Dutch official told my colleague Karl Mathiesen. Sneak peek: According to a draft of the deal, seen by POLITICO, the club will commit to publishing an inventory of all of their subsidies by next year’s COP using a common methodology. They will also commit to develop national phase-out strategies “within a clear timeline.”
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