Key climate experts, including former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres, have criticized the UN’s COP climate talks as “no longer fit for purpose,” urging a significant overhaul. In a letter to the UN, these leaders argue that host countries should support the phase-out of fossil fuels to be eligible to hold COP events. This call follows controversy at COP29 in Azerbaijan, where President Ilham Aliyev praised natural gas as a “gift from God” despite its role in global warming. The letter also highlights issues with COP hosting, pointing out that fossil fuel lobbyists often outnumber scientific and Indigenous representatives, undermining fair representation.

The experts acknowledge achievements such as the Paris Agreement but believe the slow COP process cannot match the speed required to address the climate crisis. The letter suggests reforms to ensure more accountability and advocate for smaller, more frequent COPs. Climate scientist Johan Rockström emphasized that while a “safe landing” for humanity is still possible, it demands a global policy shift that delivers change rapidly and at scale.

Dive deeper into the details here!