UN climate summit 'no longer fit for purpose', activists say after Cop29 host says oil is 'gift from God'

15 November 2024, 12:55

Recent flooding in Spain has been blamed by many on climate change
Recent flooding in Spain has been blamed by many on climate change. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

A UN climate summit is "no longer fit for purpose" an activists' group has said after Cop29 in Azerbaijan.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Top scientists and climate policy experts said that countries that do not back getting rid of fossil fuels shouldn't host future summits.

Ilham Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan, told Cop29 earlier this week that oil and gas is a "gift" from God.

Among those who signed the open letter on the fifth day of Cop29 in Azerbaijan were former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, former executive secretary of UN Climate (UNFCCC) Christiana Figueres and former Irish president Mary Robinson.

They warned UNFCCC head Simon Stiell of limitations to the the existing Cop process, which aims to drive the rapid, large-scale changes urgently required to limit warming to the 2015 Paris Agreement goals to limit dangerous global warming.

Read more: Starmer says he 'won't tell people how to live their lives', as he joins Taliban at Cop29 climate change council

Read more: Climate plans falling 'miles short' of what is needed to prevent global warming from 'wrecking lives', UN warns

Columnist Zoe Williams says we should bring 'solutions not problems' to the climate fight

The letter acknowledged significant advances that have been made during Cop summits, including the landmark Paris climate agreement.

But the signatories said: "It is now clear that the Cop is no longer fit for purpose. We need a shift from negotiation to implementation."

Sandrine Dixson-Decleve, executive chair of Earth4All who signed the letter, said: "We need a Cop process that offers delivery, not delay.

Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan president
Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan president. Picture: Alamy

"We demand Cops that are platforms for government and stakeholder ambition, not enablers of fossil energy contracts and growing greenhouse gas emissions.

"After 28 Cops, time is up on negotiations that don't foster action and implementation. Planetary stability is dependent on equality, justice and poverty alleviation to address the greatest existential challenge of our time."

Shelagh Fogarty and Aggie Chambre laughingly question Starmer's COP29 commitment

The call for reform also comes on the heels of reports warning of increasing global carbon emissions, the degradation of carbon sinks, and unprecedented climate-related human and economic losses.

The letter signatories warned that the world can no longer exclude the possibility of surpassing 2.9C of warming by 2100.

Ms Figueres said: "At the last Cop, fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbered representatives of scientific institutions, Indigenous communities and vulnerable nations.

"We cannot hope to achieve a just transition without significant reforms to the COP process that ensure fair representation of those most affected."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Photo of Searchers

Britain’s 'longest-running' pop band to break-up with final show at Glastonbury after nearly 70 years

A bomb squad  carried out a controlled burn in a skip after explosive chemicals were found in a Sussex home.

Bomb squad carries out 'controlled burn' of explosive chemicals found in Sussex home after 70 evacuated

Pope Francis Delivers His Weekly Audience At The Vatican

Pope Francis returning to Vatican tomorrow after five weeks in hospital with double pneumonia

Davina McCall.

Davina McCall reveals tumour removal was 'hardest thing she's ever been through'

Jamie Cooper, 33, went on the run after breaking out of a prison van on the M55 motorway.

Prisoner who escaped police van on motorway arrested after four-day manhunt

A report has found rape culture exists in 1,600 primary schools.

Rape culture found in 1,600 primary schools, report reveals

Heathrow as resumed "full service" but some flights remain cancelled.

Heathrow resumes full service as Ed Miliband demands 'urgent investigation' amid warnings of more delays

Bills are set to rise this April

All household bills set to rise in April and what you need to know to save cash

George Foreman, Donald Trump and Evander Holyfield pose together in 1991

Donald Trump leads tributes to 'exceptional' George Foreman as boxing icon dies aged 76

The Silent Scandal of ‘Debanking’: Why Innocent Britons are paying a high price for inadequate fraud prevention

The Silent Scandal of ‘Debanking’: Why Innocent Britons are paying a high price for inadequate fraud prevention

Heathrow as resumed "full service" but some flights remain cancelled.

Heathrow resumes full service as National Grid 'deeply sorry' amid warnings of more delays after day of travel chaos

Emergency services at the scene on the A259 Marina, as residents have been evacuated after police declared a major incident following the discovery of 'explosive' chemicals at a property in St Leonards, East Sussex.

Residents still not allowed home after explosive chemicals found in Sussex property with major incident declared

Thomas Woldbye said he is 'proud' of how Heathrow Airport handled Friday's catastrophic closure.

Heathrow boss 'proud' of how airport handled inferno leaving hundreds of flights cancelled

Harrods department store owner Mohamed Al Fayed

Harrods lawyers 'propose six-figure payouts' to victims of alleged sexual abuse by al Fayed

The Pope intends to appear at his hospital window tomorrow in his first public appearance since February.

Pope Francis to make first public appearance tomorrow after battling double pneumonia

Chancellor Rachel Reeves gives a speech on economic growth at Siemens Healthineers.

Rachel Reeves rules out 'tax and spend' ahead of spring statement