Azerbaijan's Aliyev Defends Oil at COP29

At the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev defended his country's oil and gas industries, describing fossil fuels as a 'gift from God'. He criticized Western media and climate activists for what he termed a 'well-orchestrated campaign of slander and blackmail' against Azerbaijan. Aliyev argued that countries should not be blamed for their natural resources, emphasizing that fossil fuels are essential for the economy, accounting for 90% of exports and 60% of government revenue. His remarks sparked anger among attendees, contrasting sharply with the UK’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 81% by 2035. Despite the criticism, Aliyev maintained that a gradual transition to green energy is necessary but realistic, given current market demands. The absence of key leaders from major polluting nations at the summit raised further questions about the seriousness of global climate commitments.