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Azerbaijan Hosts COP29 Summit Amid Climate Urgency
The U.N. climate summit, COP29, opens in Baku, Azerbaijan, with countries aiming to reach a crucial deal for $1 trillion in annual climate finance for developing nations. With the expiration of the $100 billion pledge this year, the focus is on securing new funding commitments to combat the escalating impacts of climate change.
However, economic concerns, ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and the re-election of climate change skeptic Donald Trump in the U.S. complicate negotiations. Azerbaijan, hosting COP29, faces the challenge of maintaining focus on climate finance while managing its role as a major oil producer. Despite a decrease in oil revenue dependency, Azerbaijan aims to reduce fossil fuel reliance and increase its renewable energy capacity to 35% by 2030.
China, representing the BASIC group (Brazil, India, South Africa), has proposed that trade disputes, such as the EU’s carbon border tariffs set for 2026, be addressed at the summit. This move signals China’s growing influence, particularly as the U.S. may disengage from global climate cooperation under Trump's leadership. The EU, along with President Biden’s administration, has pressed countries like China and Gulf oil nations to contribute to climate finance efforts.
As climate extremes, including floods and droughts, ravage the globe, urgent action is needed. "The impacts of climate change will continue to intensify unless countries unite to take bold steps," warned Kaveh Guilanpour of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.
In Baku, Azerbaijan pushes for gas as a transitional energy source, despite criticism from environmental groups, with the country’s gas exports to Europe expected to rise this year. The nation also proposes a $1 billion Climate Finance Action Fund to support global climate efforts.
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