#101 This Year's COP(29) Coverage Starts with a Scandal: A Dark Stain on Climate Action

By Richard Kitheka

A senior official at the COP29 climate change conference in Azerbaijan, which started today in Baku, appears to have misused his position to broker potential fossil fuel deals, casting a shadow over the global climate effort.

A secret recording obtained by the BBC reveals Elnur Soltanov, the chief executive of Azerbaijan's COP29 team, discussing "investment opportunities" in the state oil and gas company with an individual posing as a potential investor. Soltanov explicitly mentioned "a lot of gas fields that are to be developed."

This revelation has sparked outrage and concern among climate activists and experts. A former head of the UN body responsible for the climate talks has condemned Soltanov's actions, rightly suggesting they undermine the integrity of the COP process.

The incident ?highlights the ongoing tension between climate ambition and fossil fuel interests. While nations gather at COP summits to negotiate ambitious climate targets, some governments and officials continue to prioritize fossil fuel expansion. This blatant conflict of interest raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the COP process and the commitment of some nations to addressing the climate crisis.

As the world grapples with the devastating impacts of climate change, such actions erode public trust in the international climate negotiations. It is imperative that transparent and accountable governance is upheld at all levels of climate diplomacy.

In August 2024, it was reported that the UK could approve 13 new oil and gas licences in the North Sea.?

The International Energy Agency says that fossil fuels must be phased out or substantially reduced to reach net zero worldwide by 2050.

It’s not all negative though – 75 governments have committed to not building new coal plants and 25 have stopped pursuing coal projects.

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The COP29 Presidency Action Agenda Letter, released in September 2024, details plans for the conference. ?https://cop29.az/en/pages/cop29-presidency-action-agenda-letter

“Fossil fuels” are mentioned only four times – three in relation to the Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF) and once in relation to modernising power grids for renewables.

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The CFAF will be launched at COP29 and will collect voluntary contributions from fossil fuel-producing companies and companies, with an aim of reaching US$1bn in this first round.

In summary the letter states Key Priorities as:

• Address climate change impacts on the Caucasus region.
• Leverage renewable energy potential.
• Promote sustainable development.

COP29 Action Agenda:

• Involve diverse stakeholders: state and non-state actors, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and private sector.
• Focus on multiple climate pillars, including mitigation, adaptation, and finance.
• Aims to build on previous achievements and address gaps identified in the Global Stocktake.

COP29 Initiatives:

• Raise the level of commitment from various stakeholders.
• Deliver tangible outcomes in the form of pledges, declarations, partnerships and platforms.
• Address thematic issues like digitalization, tourism, climate finance, and gender equality.

Call to Action:

• Encourage all stakeholders to contribute to the COP29 Action Agenda.
• Emphasize the importance of individual and collective action in addressing climate change.
• Seek to inspire and mobilize global action.

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The letter says that half of this fund will support climate projects in developing countries and half will be allocated to help meet members’ next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

There is no mention of further negotiations on phasing down or out fossil fuel use.

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The COP29 scandal serves as a stark reminder that the fight against climate change is far from over. It is crucial to hold governments and individuals accountable for their actions and to demand a genuine commitment to a sustainable future. This incident underscores the urgent need for increased transparency, accountability, and stricter regulations within the climate negotiation process.

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To ensure the integrity of future COP summits, it is essential to:

1.????? Strengthen oversight mechanisms: Implement robust systems to monitor and prevent conflicts of interest among delegates.        

2.????? Promote civil society engagement: Empower civil society organizations to scrutinize the actions of governments and corporations.        

3.????? Invest in renewable energy: Accelerate the transition to clean energy sources and phase out fossil fuels.        

4.????? Support climate-vulnerable communities: Provide financial and technical assistance to help them adapt to the impacts of climate change.        

By taking decisive action and holding those responsible to account, we can work towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

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