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🗞️ Driving the news: At the COP29 opening in Baku, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev defended fossil fuels and accused Western nations of hypocrisy for depending on his country’s gas while criticizing its climate impact
• Aliyev argued that fossil fuels are “a gift of God,” essential for meeting global energy demands, and accused Western governments of “double standards” and “political hypocrisy” 
• The speech stands out for its direct critique of Western policies and its open support for fossil fuels at a global climate summit

🔭 The context: Azerbaijan, which relies on oil and gas for nearly half of its GDP and over 90% of its exports, has increased gas exports to the EU since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
• This year’s COP follows last year’s in the UAE, another oil-reliant host, though Aliyev’s comments marked a more pointed defense of fossil fuel dependency
• Despite Azerbaijan's fossil-heavy economy, Aliyev claimed his country is committed to the green transition, balancing realism with advocacy for sustainable development

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Aliyev’s remarks highlight the tensions between fossil fuel-dependent economies and global climate action goals
• As countries negotiate emissions reductions, this divide underscores the challenge of aligning energy needs with climate targets, especially when geopolitical shifts increase reliance on fossil fuel exporters like Azerbaijan
• His criticism also raises questions about Western consistency in climate commitments versus energy security demands

⏭️ What's next: As COP29 unfolds, the EU will continue pushing for stronger fossil fuel phase-out commitments, though Aliyev’s statements suggest resistance from major fuel-exporting countries
• The response from global leaders, especially Western nations, will reveal if tensions impact cooperative climate initiatives
• The summit will serve as a test case for bridging divides between high-fossil fuel producers and net-zero climate ambitions

💬 One quote: “Countries should not be blamed for having [fossil fuels] and should not be blamed for bringing these resources to the market because the market needs them. The people need them” - President Ilham Aliyev

📈 One stat: Fossil fuels made up 92.5% of Azerbaijan's export revenue in 2022

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