Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has condemned the U.N.’s choice of Azerbaijan as the host for the COP29 climate summit, calling it “beyond absurd.” Speaking at a protest in Tbilisi, Georgia, Thunberg highlighted Azerbaijan’s status as a “petrostate” and argued that an authoritarian regime reliant on fossil fuel exports is an inappropriate choice for a global climate conference. Thunberg decided to skip the summit, where roughly 100 world leaders are convening.
U.N. Secretary General’s Urgent Call
U.N. Secretary General António Guterres opened the summit by warning of an accelerating “ticking clock” on climate action, calling the past year a “master class in climate destruction.” He emphasized the inevitability of the clean energy transition, stating that no business or government can ultimately stop the shift from fossil fuels.
U.S. Climate Policy Under Biden Administration
While President Joe Biden will not attend the summit, the U.S. has sent a prominent delegation. On Tuesday, the Biden administration introduced a groundbreaking policy requiring oil and gas companies to pay a fee for methane emissions, targeting one of the most potent greenhouse gases.
Global Leaders at COP29
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to address delegates, promoting a new emissions-cutting target for the U.K. by 2035 and emphasizing Britain’s potential to reclaim global climate leadership. Meanwhile, Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine voiced strong words for countries lagging in climate action, cautioning against the “delusion” that any nation is immune to climate impacts.
Policy Developments and Setbacks
In a setback for climate advocates, a Dutch appeals court overturned an earlier ruling requiring Shell to cut emissions by 45% by 2030. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump announced that former Congressman Lee Zeldin will head the Environmental Protection Agency, signaling plans to ease environmental regulations on U.S. industries.
