How green start-ups like mine are being squashed by big corporations

As Cop28 comes to an end, green tech entrepreneur Magnus Willner reveals what he learned as a first-time delegate – and how the unlikeliest barrier to fighting climate change is our global consulting firms

Surf’s up: a surreal indoor water feature at the Cop28 climate change conference at Dubai’s Expo City (EPA)

So, I survived my first Cop climate change conference.

Despite some negative pre-publicity surrounding this year’s event in Dubai, I am leaving it cheered that quite so many talented people – more than 97,000 delegates in total – showed up to help put the planet on a more sustainable path.

I am also pleased that the United Nations chose to hold it in the UAE, a petrostate with a big part to play in combating climate change. By motivating the Middle East to be involved in solving the most critical issue of our time in a practical way, the region is more likely to become a useful player.