The president of the host country for the COP29 United Nations climate conference, Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, has stirred controversy by describing oil and gas as a “gift of god” during his address at the event. Aliyev pushed back against what he called “Western fake news” about his country’s emissions, insisting that nations with fossil fuel reserves should not be held responsible for their use.
Azerbaijan, a country with significant oil and gas reserves, announced plans to increase its gas production by up to a third in the coming decade. This move has been met with criticism from environmental activists and leaders who are advocating for a transition away from fossil fuels to combat climate change.
Shortly after Aliyev’s remarks, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated the urgent need to move away from fossil fuels, stating that doubling down on their use was “absurd.” His comments highlighted the growing divide between countries advocating for a rapid shift to renewable energy sources and those continuing to rely on fossil fuels for energy production.
In a separate speech at the COP29 conference, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced ambitious new emission reduction targets for the United Kingdom. Starmer pledged to aim for an 81% decrease in emissions by 2035, demonstrating a commitment to leading the way in addressing climate change.
The juxtaposition of Aliyev’s praise for oil and gas as a divine gift with calls for reduced reliance on fossil fuels from global leaders underscores the challenges and complexities of navigating the transition to a more sustainable energy future. As the COP29 conference continues, the debate over the role of fossil fuels in addressing climate change will undoubtedly remain a central issue for world leaders and activists alike.
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Video “Oil and gas ‘a gift of God’, says COP29 host | BBC News” was uploaded on 11/13/2024 to Youtube Channel BBC News