8 Takeaways From the First Week of UN Climate Talks

The Epoch Times Header

COP29 leaders are pushing for $1 trillion in climate finance and claimed that โ€˜worsening climate impacts will put inflation on steroids.โ€™

The U.N.โ€™s annual agenda-setting climate talks got underway this week.

COP, or the โ€œConference of the Parties,โ€ serves as the central platform under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), where world leaders, scientists, and negotiators convene annually to drive โ€œglobal climate action,โ€ often culminating in pledges of vast financial commitments.

The summit lasts for two weeks, but already this yearโ€™s talks have revealed new shifts in thinking, some unusually early pledges, new controversies, and a shift in attitude towards the talks themselves by global leaders.

Here are some of the key takeaways from week one of COP29.

Controversial Host Azerbaijan

The conference opened under a cloud of controversy after its host, Azerbaijan, an oil-rich country, faced scrutiny over its continued dependence on oil and natural gas.

According to the International Energy Agency, oil and natural gas bring in around 90 percent of Azerbaijanโ€™s export revenues, financing around 60 percent of the government budget.

President Ilham Aliyev defended his country in his keynote address at the climate summit claiming that Azerbaijan is the target of a โ€œwell-orchestrated campaign of slander and blackmail.โ€

โ€œAs president of COP29, we will be strong advocates for green transition, and we are doing it,โ€ Aliyev said.

โ€œBut at the same time, we must be realistic. Countries should not be blamed for having these resources, nor for bringing them to the market, because the market needs them,โ€ he added.

No-Shows

The recent victory of President-elect Donald Trump raised questions over the future direction of climate talks.

The United States is expected to renew its focus on fossil fuel expansion under the incoming Trump administration.

Trump has promised to reduce electricity and natural gas prices through increased production and the dismantling of the Green New Deal, which he has characterized as โ€œsocialist.โ€

Several prominent leaders opted not to attend this yearโ€™s COP.

U.S. President Joe Biden is being represented by climate adviser John Podesta, while Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a deputy.

Byย Owen Evans

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Legal Battles, Accusations of Bias as Americaโ€™s Public Media Faces Uncertain Future

Voice of America says it shares a message of freedom and hope, while the Trump administration calls it โ€˜radical propaganda.โ€™

Are Liberal Democrats Faking Things These Days?

The โ€œFighting Oligarchyโ€ rally in Nampa, Idaho has even AI applications confirming suspicions the video of AOC and her new bogus accent are doctored.

Congress Is Looking at Medicaidโ€”What to Know

Medicaid serves nearly a quarter of the U.S. population,...

Ukraineโ€™s Extension of Martial Law Exposes Zelenskyโ€™s Fear of Losing Re-Election

Ukraine extended martial law exposing Zelensky's fear of losing re-election. Heโ€™s very unpopular, and he likely fears that the US wants to replace him.

Trumpโ€™s Tariffs Aren’t What You Think

Trump's tariffs are misunderstood โ€“ they are in fact part of a larger, more involved scheme which could reset America's global economic relations.

News

Trump Admin Accuses New York Attorney General of Possible Mortgage Fraud

Trump administration referred NY AG Letitia James to the DOJ for possible criminal charges in connection with alleged mortgage fraud.

Appeals Court Denies Trump Adminโ€™s Request to Intervene in Case of Man Deported to El Salvador

Court of Appeals denied Trump adminโ€™s request to block federal judgeโ€™s orders, one of which is to facilitate return of illegal immigrant from El Salvador.

6 Hospitalized After Shooting at Florida State University

After reporting active shooter on campus and locking down, emergency alert system for FSU announced law enforcement โ€œneutralized the threat.โ€

Supreme Court to Hear Arguments in Challenge to Trumpโ€™s Birthright Citizenship Order

Supreme Court left in place lower court orders blocking Trumpโ€™s policy of limiting birthright citizenship for certain individuals and scheduled oral argument for next month.

Multiple Victims After Active Shooter Reported at Florida State University

Police responded to an active shooter report on the campus of Florida State University (FSU) on April 17, with multiple people hospitalized.

Police at Jan. 6 Capitol Rally Ask Supreme Court to Protect Identities in Dispute

Four current and former Seattle police officers who attended Jan. 6 capitol rally ask Supreme Court to protect their identities in dispute.

Trump Pushes for Rate Cut, Says Powellโ€™s โ€˜Termination Cannot Come Fast Enoughโ€™

President Trump renewed his call for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, saying Fed Chair Jerome Powellโ€™s โ€œtermination cannot come fast enough.โ€

Google Violated Antitrust Law With Ad Tech Business, Court Rules

Federal judge ruled Google violated antitrust law in its ad technology practices, marking major loss and potential large-scale changes to its business.
spot_img

Related Articles