At the COP29 climate-conference in Baku‚ Ilham Aliyev the Azerbaijan president made an odd statement: calling his nations gas a “gift of god“ (while speaking to thousands of climate delegates)
The mega-event brought together 67000 participants - many paid by tax-money - discussing world climate issues; however the meetings effectiveness is doubtful. Private-jet arrivals in Baku jumped to 65 from last years 32‚ showing a weird contrast with the events eco-friendly goals
Climate change isnt a top priority for most people: in recent elections in UK and US it wasnt even a major topic. A UN poll of 10 million people from 194 countries showed climate concerns at the bottom of peoples worries
The meetings - going on for about 30 years now - dont seem to change much: fossil-fuels still make up 82% of world energy. Big-name leaders like Joe Biden‚ Emmanuel Macron‚ and Xi Jinping didnt show up this time; though Keir Starmer went and made a bold promise for UK to cut 81% of emissions by 2035
With Donald Trump and Argentinas Javier Milei planning to quit climate deals‚ these huge meetings might become less important - like a fancy boat race that nobody really cares about anymore