COP29 leader criticized for discussing fossil fuel deals in secret meeting

In a secret recording, the head of COP29’s Azerbaijani team, Elnur Soltanov, appears to promote fossil fuel deals in exchange for sponsorship, raising ethical concerns about the impartiality of climate negotiations.

Justin Rowlatt reports for BBC.

In short:

Elnur Soltanov, COP29 chief and Azerbaijan's deputy energy minister, allegedly discussed investment opportunities in Azerbaijan’s oil and gas sector with a fake investor posing as a potential conference sponsor.
Soltanov reportedly suggested involvement in Socar, Azerbaijan’s state oil and gas firm, offering joint ventures and emphasizing natural gas as a "transitional fuel."
Former UN climate leaders condemned this behavior, calling it a betrayal of COP's mission to curb fossil fuels.

Key quote:

"We have a lot of gas fields that are to be developed."

— Elnur Soltanov, chief executive of Azerbaijan's COP29 team

Why this matters:

COP conferences aim to reduce global reliance on fossil fuels. Allegations that officials use their roles to promote oil and gas interests threaten public trust and may undermine the conference's core mission to combat climate change.

www.bbc.com

COP29 leader criticized for discussing fossil fuel deals in secret meeting

How climate change worsened Nepal's deadly mountain collapse

‘Forcing a reckoning’: How Asia is preparing for a ‘supersized’ El Niño

Mazama Energy raises $135M for superhot geothermal at Oregon volcano

These state elections could reshape climate and energy policy

Europe was the ‘most unusually hot place on the planet’ this summer. Can renewables cool us down?

‘This year is different’: The water reality Idaho can no longer ignore

Advertising contracts with Big Oil hit record high as profits soar from war in Iran

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.