Melbourne's David Spratt (pictured), who co-authored the prescient 2008 book, "Climate Code Red", has questioned the value of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP) about to begin in the United Arab Emirates.

David and a former international oil, gas and coal industry

The BBC reports in a story "COP28: UAE planned to use climate talks to make oil deals", and in a second story, "COP28 ‘moment of truth’ for oil industry, says energy boss" casts additional doubt on why the petrostate is hosting this major climate action meeting.

From The Washington Post it is "Why an oil kingdom is hosting the COP28 climate summit and other questions answered".

New Scientist reports: "COP28: When is the climate summit and why is it being held in Dubai?".

The oil states face this piercing question as posed in a Guardian story: "Former world leaders seek $25bn levy on oil states’ revenues to pay for climate damage".