Saudis Resist Restating Fossil Fuel Transition Pledge at COP29
- Riyadh using delays, blocking maneuvers, people familiar say
- EU, US pushing to reaffirm COP28’s fossil fuel transition vow
A national flag of Saudi Arabia at their pavilion at the COP29 climate conference in Baku.
Photographer: Hollie Adams/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
A fight is building at the United Nations climate talks over whether countries should recommit to last year’s historic pledge to transition away from fossil fuels.
European and US negotiators see restating commitments agreed last year, including a boost in efficiency and renewable energy deployment, as essential to prevent backtracking on the global climate fight, people familiar with the matter said. Saudi Arabia is leading a push back with a mix of delaying tactics and outright blocking maneuvers, they said, asking not to be named because the negotiations aren’t public.