We’re entering the main week of the 29th U.N. Climate Change Conference, or COP29, in Azerbaijan and the smell of oil is literally in the air.
It’s not been plain sailing so far. One small island developing state called it quits before the event even began, describing it as “a total waste of time,” with nothing but “empty promises and inaction, while our people suffer the devastating consequences of climate change.” And then Argentina walked away three days into the conference — without stating a reason, but amid reports that the country’s climate-skeptic president, Javier Milei, is considering pulling out of the Paris Agreement alongside U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Meanwhile, France canceled its ministerial presence at COP29 after Azerbaijan's president accused it of human rights violations in its overseas territories.
If you want to know what it feels like on the ground, we have two reporters in Baku who will be keeping you posted. And if you want a heads up on the key issues to watch, we’ve also got that for you.