Fossil of the Day award of COP29 presented to Russia
Fossil of the Day: Russia
Today’s Fossil goes to a country using their 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.
If only the Russian delegation were here to find a path towards climate action. Instead, it contains multiple senior executives from Russian energy companies, openly promoting fossil fuels. All with the help of the Russian Pavillion.
Russia is using COP29 to broker new deals of cooperation but not the sort you’d expect at a climate change conference, as they are striking new deals on oil and gas. Let’s put the record straight: fossil gas is not the “final fuel for humankind.” Gas belongs to the fossil ages. Russia is living 20 years in the past, pledging to be carbon neutral by 2060. To add a cherry on top, Russia is counting fossil gas and nuclear as clean energy. It is all too little too late.
If it isn’t enough that Russia is the third largest historical emitter, their full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has now lasted 1,000 days, has added at least 175 million tons of CO₂ to the atmosphere – equivalent to the annual emissions of the Netherlands.
It is especially jarring in the halls of COP29 that while we look for sources of climate finance, Russia is increasing their military budget by 25% and earning over $787 billion from fossil fuel exports during their war on Ukraine. We are pretty sure there’s a long list of better uses for this money. Still, Russia claims they do not have the money to contribute to climate finance: Pinocchio, your nose is growing.
Dishonourable mention: Costa Rica
Costa Rica has been awarded a dishonourable mention for not being true to its word. Previously at home with white doves and olive branches, their longstanding policy on peacebuilding is being violated by their strengthening friendship with Israel.
Thousands of people have died due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and by Costa Rica signing deals with Israel, they are demonstrating their true colours, while undermining peace, human rights, and international law. Here at COP29, as we show solidarity with Palestinians, Costa Rica is signing environmental agreements with Israel, a state that is inflicting ecocide on Palestine (UN Human Rights Special Procedures office).
In 2008, Costa Rica recognised the State of Palestine. Today, instead of isolating themselves from the state inflicting extreme violence, they are allied with it.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
- The Fossil of the Day awards were first presented at the climate talks in 1999, in Bonn, initiated by the German NGO Forum. During United Nations climate change negotiations, members of the Climate Action Network (CAN), vote for countries judged to have done their ‘best’ to block progress in the negotiations.
- The Fossil award ceremony takes place at 18:00 Baku time in Action Zone 4 (near the entrance to the pavillions)
Contact: Dara Snead, Communications Officer: dsnead@climatenetwork.org/ +44 7356 160136