The announcement by the COP29 climate summit hosts in Azerbaijan to continue expanding fossil fuel production represents a significant setback in the global fight against climate change. This decision starkly contrasts with the urgent calls from the United Nations and climate scientists to phase out fossil fuels to mitigate the catastrophic impacts of global warming.
Continuing fossil fuel production undermines the goals of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and the broader international climate community. It directly conflicts with the commitments made in previous COP meetings, including the pledge from last year's summit in the United Arab Emirates to transition away from fossil fuels. This contradiction not only jeopardizes the progress made thus far but also weakens the credibility of COP as a forum for meaningful climate action.
The increasing natural gas exports and the emphasis on fossil fuel extraction in Azerbaijan send a troubling signal to other nations. It suggests that economic interests are being prioritized over the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This approach could encourage other fossil-fuel-rich countries to follow suit, further exacerbating the climate crisis.
Environmental activists have rightly expressed dismay at this development. Holding the climate talks in a country that is actively expanding its fossil fuel production for the second consecutive year raises questions about the effectiveness and sincerity of the COP process. It risks creating a sense of disillusionment and hopelessness among those advocating for a swift and just transition to cleaner energy sources.
Moreover, the proposal for a "COP truce" to observe a conflict ceasefire during the negotiations in Baku, while noble in intent, does not address the root cause of the climate crisis. It is the continued reliance on and expansion of fossil fuels that drive global warming, leading to more frequent and severe climate-related disasters.
If COP29 fails to reinforce the imperative to phase out fossil fuels, it could severely hinder global efforts to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. The world cannot afford to backtrack on its climate commitments at this critical juncture. It is essential for COP29 to realign its focus on accelerating the transition to renewable energy and implementing sustainable practices that will safeguard the planet for future generations.
•
•
30 w
Now most of these conferences are now slowly loosing their meaning by lacking its solely purpose by allowing such people to host climate change dialogues!
•
•
32 w
It's incredibly disappointing
•
•
32 w
@ann_nyambura_542 I agree... this is against all the efforts the COP is putting in place
•
•
30 w
@ann_nyambura_542 This is because most of world leaders have no will of stopping fossil fuels!!
•
33 w
They are not allowed to host conferences
•
•
32 w
@jane_kamau_670 i agree... they should not be allowed to host
•
•
34 w
Such countries should not be allowed to host the COP conferences. Its an insult to COP29 and all who participated
•
•
32 w
@boniface_kuria I know... the UN should definitely reconsider
•
•
•
34 w
Dear Edwin wangombe Your climate warning has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
•
•
34 w
This is absurd! Greed for money has blinded them
•
•
34 w
@elizbeth_gathigia It is disappointing and counterintuitive that Azerbaijan, the host of COP29, is simultaneously expanding its fossil fuel production. Their actions contradict the goals and targets of COP and undermine global efforts to combat climate change.
•
•
32 w
@elizbeth_gathigia They are prioritizing profits over people and is sad
•
•
32 w
@edwin_wangombe that is why the UN as the organizers need to look for an alternative host ASAP
•
•
34 w
The decision by COP29 hosts to expand fossil fuel production sends a detrimental message, contradicting global climate goals and prioritizing short-term economic gains over long-term sustainability, undermining efforts to combat climate change. Abysmal decision
•
•
34 w
@munene_mugambi By continuing to expand fossil fuel production, the COP29 hosts are undermining the very purpose of the conference. It is a tragic thing that those responsible for promoting climate action are actively working against it. The world needs more leaders who are willing to put the planet's health above profits.
•
•
32 w
@munene_mugambi True... this undermines every effort of the COP
•
•
32 w
@edwin_wangombe I agree... we need to do better and world leaders need to be concious about climate change
•
•
34 w
These are the times that we should take measures towards a more friendly environment as some changed are irreversible.
•
•
34 w
@jane_wangui It would seem the #COP29 hosts don't see it this way. They have elected to pursue profits over the planet's health as they don't consider climate change a serious issue. It is a tragic thing
•
•
34 w
@jane_wangui It’s unfortunate that the hosts of COP29 are acting as if they don’t know the negative effects of fossil fuels on the planet.
•
•
34 w
@munene_mugambi The UN should change Azerbaijan from being the host as the country does not share common goals with the COP
•
•
32 w
@jane_wangui it seems like Azerbaijan are not aware of this
•
•
32 w
@munene_mugambi it is saddening and it is an insult to the UN and COP
•
•
34 w
I still don't understand why people opt to go for more money at the expense of our future.this is absurd
•
•
34 w
@rosebellendiritu Riches are a strong motivation and they can corrupt even the noblest of us. Put this together with the fact that a lot of the politicians and policy makers have no moral compass, you quickly realize why such decisions are the order of the day
•
•
34 w
@rosebellendiritu It is just unbelievable that people are willing to sacrifice their existence and wellness for profits
•
•
34 w
@munene_mugambi like in this case... the host of COP 29 is already corrupted and it's unfortunate
•
•
32 w
@rosebellendiritu These are selfish people they would do anything to make profits which is very saddening
•
•
32 w
@munene_mugambi I agree... money is the root of all evil
•
•
32 w
@edwin_wangombe It is absurd ... and very saddening
•
•
34 w
This sounds absurd, how can the host to such an auspicious event to solve climate change issues decides to place profits before the people's and environmental wellness.
•
•
34 w
@joseph_githinji This announcement by the COP29 hosts is unacceptable. They are placing profits before the planet's health.
•
•
32 w
@edwin_wangombe I agree they need to change the host to a country that has the mission of ending fossil fuel use
•
•
32 w
@joseph_githinji it is madness of the highest level... this is an insult to the COP
•
•
34 w
This is so disappointing. This matter requires interventions to prevent Green washing.
•
•
34 w
@walter_lungayi This decision goes against the goals of COP and the international climate community. Quick intervention is needed ASAP.
•
•
32 w
@walter_lungayi The organizers of CoP should reconsider the host of COP29
•
•
32 w
@edwin_wangombe This will undermine the efforts and the stand of COP
•
•
34 w
why are they doing this?
•
•
34 w
@annett_michuki It is greed making them prioritize profit over the wellness of the people and the planet
•
•
32 w
@annett_michuki The UN needs to find a better host ASAP
•
•
32 w
@edwin_wangombe This is just stupidy mixed with the love of money... putting the survival of the people at risk
•
•
30 w
@annett_michuki We should also ask, why are they allowed to attend COP29???
•
•
34 w
This is alarming and counterproductive to the global climate goals we desperately need to achieve.
•
•
34 w
@princess_nel_268 Expanding fossil fuel production goes against the goals of COP and the international climate community. It also undermines the progress we’ve made so far and weakens the credibility of COP as a forum for meaningful climate action.
•
•
32 w
@princess_nel_268 there is a need for change in how the host of COP is selected... the UN needs to select hosts that share targets and goals
•
•
32 w
@edwin_wangombe I agree... this will undermine the progress and the credibility of COP as a forum for meaningful climate action.