Wall Street is returning to climate talks that it largely snubbed last year, as the United Arab Emirates steps into the role of host.

BlackRock Inc. Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink is among a string of finance heavyweights planning to attend the COP28 summit in Dubai that starts next month, according to people familiar with the plans who asked not to be identified discussing non-public information. 

After skipping climate talks in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Wall Street executives are now lining up to join what looks set to be one of the most finance-heavy COP summits ever held. The event will take place against a backdrop of ongoing Republican attacks on ESG, and an increasingly tense geopolitical environment in the Middle East. This year’s COP also coincides with a doubling down by oil majors such as Shell Plc and Exxon Mobil Corp. on their core strategies to continue drilling for oil and gas.

Read more: bnnbloomberg.ca

Photo: bnnbloomberg.ca