The article deals with the UN's international climate negotiations over the last 30 years. The thesis: A common thread can be drawn. The COPs have always been characterised by narratives, hopes and strong words. At the end of every conference, a "historic breakthrough" was announced; this was also the case at the climate conference at the end of 2023 in the oil paradise of Dubai. This time, the "abandonment" of fossil fuels was celebrated. But do such narratives also contribute to reducing greenhouse gases? A brief "history of discourse" from 1994 to 2024 aims to show why the climate conferences are driven by the capitalist model of society and growth rather than providing the impetus for the necessary socio-ecological transformation.