Azerbaijan Hosting COP29: A Climate Commitment or a Conflict of Interest?

2 December 2024 2 December 2024

The announcement of Azerbaijan as the host of COP29 has ignited intense debate over the appropriateness of a nation heavily dependent on fossil fuels leading such a critical climate conference. While hosting COP29 offers Azerbaijan an opportunity to signal its commitment to addressing climate change, its entrenched reliance on oil and gas, alongside an underwhelming environmental record, raises significant concerns about its ability to champion meaningful progress. This article examines the complexities of Azerbaijan’s role as host, considering its economic reliance on fossil fuels, ecological challenges, and the potential for transformative change if international pressure and scrutiny are applied effectively.

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste: Promises vs. Reality

24 November 2024 24 November 2024

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), established by leading oil and chemical corporations, claims to be at the forefront of combating plastic pollution. However, its actions reveal a stark contradiction. While pledging to tackle waste, the Alliance’s member companies continue ramping up plastic production, exacerbating the very crisis they purport to solve. This article examines the growing gap between AEPW’s commitments and reality, explores the ecological fallout of unchecked plastic production, and outlines actionable strategies for mitigating the plastic crisis.

The Sharp Decline of ESG Funds: Is Sustainable Finance at a Crossroads?

1 September 2024

Sustainable finance is facing an unexpected downturn, with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) funds experiencing a sharp decline in 2024. After years of rapid growth, the number of new ESG fund launches dropped by 50% in the first half of the year. This decline is driven by market normalization, regulatory uncertainty, and greenwashing scandals, particularly affecting the U.S. market. However, Europe remains resilient, with French giants Amundi and BNP Paribas Asset Management leading new fund launches. To ensure sustainable growth in ESG investing, investors should focus on diversification, transparency, and innovation.