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Science Weekly

‘Travesty of justice’: Cop29’s controversial deal

Nov 25, 2024
Damian Carrington, Guardian Environment Editor, discusses the fraught negotiations at COP29 in Azerbaijan. He reveals how wealthy nations pledged just $300 billion annually instead of the requested $1.3 trillion to support developing countries’ climate efforts. The conversation touches on the challenges of covering such a controversial event and the role of fossil fuel interests in undermining climate actions. Looking ahead, he outlines what we might expect from Brazil, the host of next year’s conference.
15:31

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The COP29 negotiations ended with a controversial pledge of $300 billion annually, far below the $1.3 trillion requested by developing nations.
  • Azerbaijan's role as a host raised concerns about its commitment to climate action due to its authoritarian governance and fossil fuel reliance.

Deep dives

Azerbaijan's Role and Challenges at COP29

Azerbaijan's position as the host for COP29 posed unique challenges given its status as a petrostate heavily reliant on fossil fuels. The country aims to increase gas production significantly, leading to criticism regarding its suitability to lead climate discussions. Authoritarian governance under Ilham Aliyev and the country’s controversial fossil fuel policies raised eyebrows among climate advocates. Despite these concerns, the event was influenced by disinformation campaigns, with many social media profiles promoting Azerbaijan favorably, creating an atmosphere that targeted dissenting journalists.

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