Denmark’s climate minister highlights urgent need to phase out fossil fuels

Denmark's Minister for Climate, Energy, and Utilities Lars Aagaard has emphasised the critical importance of phasing out fossil fuels.

The minister noted that intense discussions are currently underway on this issue, with Denmark and the EU taking a very clear stance, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Aagaard stressed that Denmark cannot accept the position of the US on this issue: “We will not reconsider the agreements made last year. The COP process is aimed at halting climate change. We must do everything in our power to achieve the 1.5-degree target, which requires a gradual transition away from fossil fuels.”

Meanwhile, Germany’s Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection Steffi Lemke has said that the production and disposal of plastics will lead to the emission of 3 gigatons of CO2 per year by 2050.

Lemke made these remarks during an event within the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan's capital Baku.

She highlighted that the production, use, and disposal of plastics contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions: “This issue requires urgent action at a global level. If this trend continues, the negative impact on climate change will intensify.” 

The minister noted that the effective use of resources and the implementation of circular economy measures are key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

She emphasised that transitioning to sustainable production models can reduce energy demand and conserve natural resources. 

Lemke also added that the German government will continue intensifying its international efforts to combat plastic pollution, with the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) playing a crucial role in preparing an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) to address this issue.

COP29, taking place at Baku Stadium from November 11 to 22, marks a significant milestone for Azerbaijan as the country hosts a Conference of the Parties (COP) for the first time. The summit, considered Azerbaijan’s most prominent international event to date, began with the signing of the Host Country Agreement and other key documents between the Azerbaijani government and the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

One of the central themes of COP29 is the formulation of a New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. To drive progress in this area, the COP29 presidency has unveiled 14 strategic initiatives designed to align climate action with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The initiatives span a wide range of priorities, from creating green energy corridors and advancing energy storage technologies to implementing climate resilience measures and developing clean hydrogen solutions. Other focal points include reducing methane emissions from organic waste and fostering the adoption of green digital technologies. Among the highlights of COP29 is the proposal for a Climate Finance Action Fund, intended to support global efforts to keep temperature rises within the 1.5°C target. This ambitious plan underscores the summit’s commitment to integrating innovation with sustainable development, aiming to deliver transformative results in the fight against climate change.

By Naila Huseynova