In the heart of international climate negotiations, the legitimacy and effectiveness of COP summits are being questioned. Climate experts point out that these annual meetings have become synonymous with discussions without concrete actions, allowing global CO2 emissions to rise ever higher. Influential voices are calling for an urgent overhaul of the format to prevent warming beyond 2.9°C by 2100, emphasizing that we are already surpassing critical thresholds. The climate emergency now far exceeds intentions, reminding us that each cycle of discussions without tangible results adds to the bill for the planet and humanity. While some global leaders refer to fossil resources as a “gift from above,” others, like Ban-Ki Moon and Christiana Figueres, insist on the need to convene smaller and more frequent summits, targeting specific climate issues and holding nations accountable for their commitments. The mere repetition of empty promises is no longer sufficient; it is time to break free from collective inertia.
Global emissions continue to rise, while carbon sinks deteriorate. Experts warn of the possibility of exceeding a rise of 2.9°C by 2100. The COP29 summit, currently underway in Baku, Azerbaijan, illustrates the ineffectiveness of international climate conferences, despite the participation of former leaders like Ban-Ki Moon and Christiana Figueres. These summits, symbols of endless discussions, have yet to successfully establish a true exit from fossil fuels after 30 years of debate. Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani president, referred to natural gas as a “gift from God,” thereby reinforcing the status quo. Urgent reforms are needed: limit participation to countries committed to the transition, make meetings more targeted, and establish mechanisms to hold nations accountable for their climate goals. The climate crisis threatens millions of people, and immediate action is imperative.
the climate summit in drift
As global emissions continue to rise, the empty promises of climate summits are no longer sufficient. The international community is concerned about the potential to exceed 2.9 degrees Celsius of warming by 2100. The repetitive sessions of COP29 in Baku clearly illustrate a status quo situation where little concrete progress is made. Critics point to a lack of coherence between statements and the actions necessary to combat destructive climate change.
the urgent need to act
The call for immediate action has become more pressing. Climate experts, including former UN leaders, suggest an urgent overhaul of COP summits to make them more effective. Smaller, more frequent, and focused, these new summits could address specific issues while excluding countries that refuse to cut fossil fuel energy. At the same time, the disproportionate role of fossil fuel lobbyists at current summits is raising growing concerns, leading to discussions about their future exclusion.
disastrous consequences of inaction
The higher the global temperature rises, the more catastrophic the consequences become. Crossing critical thresholds could lead to the destruction of tropical coral reefs, destabilization of ice sheets, and widespread flooding. Hundreds of millions of people could become homeless, primarily in developing countries. This apocalyptic scenario underscores the “urgent need to act” without delay.
