Azerbaijan Stands Firm On Fossil Fuels At COP29 President Ilham Aliyev defends natural resources and criticizes Western hypocrisy during the UN climate summitAzerbaijan, hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, has sparked controversy by defending fossil fuels amid rising concerns about climate change. Aliyev asserted, "No country should be judged for its natural resources," positioning Azerbaijan as both victim and steward of its oil and gas wealth. The assertion of fossil fuels by Azerbaijan reflects broader conflicts within the climate dialogue: the necessity of transitioning to sustainable energy versus the economic reliance on fossil fuel industries. Following Azerbaijan's statements, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the urgency of moving away from such reliance, asserting, "Doubling down on fossil fuels is absurd. While some world leaders remain focused on ambitious climate targets, the realities of energy transitions and economic dependence on fossil fuels raise difficult questions.

Source: The Express Tribune November 13, 2024 20:40 UTC