Peace, relief, and recovery are the focus for activists at COP29 in week 2 of the climate summit. They turned out in droves to weed out the “pretenders” and demand a just transition to renewable energy. Activists say they are frustrated with the mass representation of petrostates and industry representatives trying to influence the political outcome of the fossil fuel industry in favour of big corporations and delay the transition. Holding signs reading “Kick Big Polluters Out” and “Pay Up,” while chanting and staging silent protests around COP29 venues, they will not back down, even as their chants and allowances to protest are being controlled.
Despite a slight decrease in fossil fuel representation at COP29, analysis from the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition revealed that fossil fuel lobbyists outnumber delegates from the 10 most climate-vulnerable nations combined. A total of 1,773 lobbyists are registered in Baku, second only to the host country’s delegation and those from Brazil and Türkiye for COP30.
“These halls are meant to be the halls of climate action but instead we have more than 1,700 snakes slithering about poisoning climate action, spreading their toxins, and killing climate action all so they can make money,” said Rachel Rose Jackson, Corporate Accountability International.
During the Oil Change International Conference meeting at COP, the Centre for International Environmental Law noted that a new analysis showed that 480 lobbyists are associated with companies that promote ineffective technology of carbon capture and storage. “That’s greater than the combined delegations of the EU, the US, the UK, and Canada altogether,” remarked host Rachel Kennerley, Center for International Environmental Law. She warned that the high number is”really indicative of the effort and investment that the fossil fuel industry is putting into securing its own future.”
The Guardian reported that “at least 132 oil and gas company senior executives and staff were invited to the COP29 summit, and had special badges denoting they were guests of the presidency.”
‘Fossil of the Day’ award presented to G7 countries
Activists also took the opportunity to spotlight countries obstructing meaningful climate action. Activists at COP29 shone a spotlight on nations blocking meaningful climate action with the infamous “Fossil of the Day” award. On Day 6, the G7 countries — the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK — were collectively “honored” for failing to pay off their climate finance debts over the past two decades.
Italy snagged an individual mention for being Europe’s second-largest gas importer and its close ties with COP29 host Azerbaijan. “Azerbaijan and Italy trade fossil fuels like Pokémon cards,” quipped the Climate Action Network (CAN), noting that Italy buys 57% of Azerbaijan’s oil exports.
South Korea also found itself in the hot seat. CAN accused the country of blocking a long-overdue deal for OECD nations to end $41 billion in annual oil and gas subsidies from export credit agencies.
Russia was recognised for using its pavilion for fossil fuel promotion rather than fossil fuel phase-out. “Since last year’s climate talks, the Russian delegation has multiplied like Russian Matryoshka dolls being unpacked. The number is record breaking – just not the kind we’re looking for,’ remarked CAN.
Finland’s Dishonourable Mention
Finland wasn’t spared either, earning a dishonourable mention for backtracking on climate finance. CAN alleged Finland is cutting hundreds of millions from its commitments and disguising the shortfall by counting market-based loans as climate aid. “At a time when the world needs to scale up support, Finland is scaling back,” they warned.
Yesterday G7 countries were awarded the Fossil of the Day award, which country will take it next? #FossilOfTheDay #ClimateAction #ClimateFinance #COP29 pic.twitter.com/9eRfKSm4Ih
— Climate Action Network International (CAN) (@CANIntl) November 16, 2024
The “Fossil of the Day” awards, a COP tradition since 1999, aim to hold countries accountable for obstructing global climate progress — a title no nation wants, but many seem to earn.
Perhaps there is still hope for G7 countries. Even amidst descending talks of what a Trump administration will mean for climate talks, former US Vice President Al Gore said in an address, that it’s time for world leaders to listen to scientists rather than lobbyists. “They’re way better at capturing politicians than emissions,” he quipped.
Gore said the fact that the scientists who predicted all of this decades ago or have been proven “dead right” should cause the rest of the countries to pay more attention to what they’re saying now. Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore gives fiery speech at COP29 | Watch
False Solutions and Dangerous Distractions?
“This is nothing but greenwash” – Rachel Kennerley, Center for International Environmental Law
A key debate at COP29 concerns carbon capture and storage (CCS), a technology promoted by fossil fuel companies as a solution for reducing emissions. While CCS involves capturing carbon from industrial processes and storing it underground, activists argue that it is an expensive and ineffective distraction that prolongs reliance on fossil fuels.
Data from Oil Change International (OCI) revealed that 79% of current CCS operations serve enhanced oil recovery (EOR), a method that pumps carbon underground to extract more oil. According to Al Johnson-Kurtz, the industry communications campaigner at OCI, this practice perpetuates reliance on fossil fuels while failing to address the root causes of climate change.
“Carbon capture is a solution for the fossil fuel industry, not for our communities or the clean air, land, and water we rely on,” Johnson-Kurtz stated. He said rich countries must stop pretending to act on climate change and start phasing out fossil fuels at their source.
A unique database compiled by Oil Change International has tracked over $30 billion of public funds spent on failing carbon capture and fossil-based hydrogen projects over the past 40 years. And while billions more are planned for the coming years, rich nations are still refusing to provide the trillions needed for real solutions to the climate crisis.
Despite its failures, CCS is still receiving billions in funding, especially from countries with large fossil fuel sectors, such as the US, Canada, and the EU. Critics argue that these nations should focus on phasing out fossil fuels rather than supporting technologies that extend the industry’s life.
“Behind terms like ‘net zero,’ ‘abated,’ and ‘unabated’ lies a dangerous agenda that seeks to extend the life of the fossil fuel industry,’ said Erica Njiguna, a youth climate justice organiser based in Nairobi, Kenya.“They are harming communities on the ground and they’re literally a get-out-of-jail card for the fossil fuel industry.”
In contrast, industry representatives see CCS as essential for meeting net-zero goals, even though it’s one of the least effective and most expensive mitigation options. A 2023 report by the World Economic Forum found that CCS captures less than 0.1% of global emissions. However, some argue that even small reductions are better than none.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) selected global milestone to achieve net‐zero emissions by 2050
The COP29 Carbon Credit Market
A major highlight from the opening sessions was the breakthrough on Article 6.4, which establishes standards for international carbon crediting projects. At COP29, a new framework for carbon credit trading was established, which could provide financial incentives for CCS projects. This system allows companies to earn carbon credits for capturing and storing CO₂, which can then be sold to offset emissions elsewhere. However, critics fear that carbon credits could be used as a “greenwashing” tool, allowing companies to delay real emissions reductions.
Lead negotiator Yelchin Raffiev believes that this is a significant step in directing resources to developing nations and could save up to $250 billion annually in implementing climate plans.
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Steele called the agreement a significant achievement while noting, “there’s more work to do, but this is a good start. He said that strong standards for a centralized carbon market will enable faster, more cost-effective implementation of climate plans, particularly for developing countries.
While carbon credits may foster international cooperation, there are concerns that the system could disproportionately benefit wealthy nations and multinational corporations at the expense of local communities, especially in the Global South. There is also the risk of ineffective projects and human rights abuses if oversight remains weak.
Pros and Cons of Carbon Markets Supporting CCS
| Category | Pros | Cons |
| Funding CCS Projects | Carbon credits provide financial incentives for CCS initiatives. Attracts investment via Article 6.4 guidelines. | Risk of ineffective projects if verification is lax—the possibility of creating “worthless” carbon credits. |
| Encouraging Innovation | Expands the market, driving innovation in CCS to meet emission targets. | Wealthier nations can finance CCS in developing regions. Promotes global cooperation in emissions reduction. |
| Cross-Border Collaboration | Standards aim to ensure emissions reductions are genuine. Reduces risks of greenwashing. | Unequal benefits: Developing nations may depend on carbon credits without achieving substantial local gains. |
| Enhanced Regulation | Standards aim to ensure emissions reductions are genuine.Reduces risks of greenwashing. | Accountability concerns persist if verification/enforcement is weak. Risk of exploitation through loopholes. |
| Global Scaling of CCS | Carbon credit trading standardization may enhance global CCS deployment. | Over-reliance on offsets could delay systemic energy and consumption transitions. |
| Social and Ethical Issues | Provides financial aid to regions lacking resources for CCS.Boosts technological equity | Potential for land grabs and human rights abuses in land-based CCS.Harms local livelihoods and communities. |
While squabbles continue over how we keep global warming under 2 degrees Celsius, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)reported this week that between January and September 2024, global average temperatures temporarily rose to 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels. During the State of Climate update at COP, Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary General, – said 2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record.
The push now is to make sure that the mechanisms and resources needed to transition to cleaner energy take all peoples into account especially the most vulnerable countries in the Global South because as prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne summed it up on his return home from COP, “Tomorrow the bell will toll for them.”
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This story was originally published by Island Press Box, with the support of Climate Tracker’s COP29 Caribbean Climate Justice Journalism Fellowship.
