The UN climate talks are facing criticism from former UN chief Ban Ki-moon and other veterans of the process. They believe that the current structure of the COP climate summit is no longer effective in driving the necessary changes to combat climate change. The open letter to the United Nations highlights the frustration over petrostate hosts, influence of fossil fuel lobbyists, high costs, and slow progress in recent years.
While some progress has been made in ramping up climate policies, the authors of the letter argue that the COP is not capable of delivering the needed change at the required speed and scale. They call for a streamlined process and strict eligibility criteria for host countries, excluding those who do not support the transition away from fossil fuels.
This year’s host country, Azerbaijan, has faced controversy due to its heavy reliance on oil and gas revenues and slow progress in developing clean energy sources. The authoritarian president’s comments praising oil and gas have raised concerns about the country’s commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Despite efforts to host the summit and open doors to all participants, some diplomats have raised concerns about Azerbaijan’s preparedness to lead the COP summit effectively. The selection process for host countries faced delays due to geopolitical tensions, raising questions about the criteria for determining suitable hosts.
Achim Steiner of the UN Development Programme emphasized the importance of allowing every nation to be heard and cautioned against labeling countries as good or bad hosts based on their economic activities. He pointed out that some of the largest oil producers have previously hosted COP summits without issue.
Overall, the call to revamp COP29 and update the UN climate summits reflects a growing concern among climate advocates and experts about the effectiveness of the current process. The need for greater accountability, streamlined procedures, and stronger commitments to transition away from fossil fuels is crucial to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change.
