In brief
Experts, including former UN officials, have voiced concern that the COP climate talks are failing to effectively address the ongoing climate crisis, warning of a need for significant reform. In a letter addressed to the UN, high-profile signatories, including former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, emphasize that countries hosting the talks must commit to phasing out fossil fuels or step aside. This statement comes as Azerbaijan’s President promoted natural gas during COP29, characterizing it as a divine resource, despite concerns about rising global temperatures and increasing emissions. With COP processes criticized for their slow pace, the authors suggest smaller, more frequent meetings with enhanced accountability to better tackle climate challenges and uphold the Paris Agreement commitments.
