Oil Change International Media Advisory – COP29 Day 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 12, 2024

Contact: 

Nicole Rodel, Oil Change International (in Baku) – [email protected] / +27842570627 

Valentina Stackl, Oil Change International (ET – remote) – [email protected] +17342766260

Oil Change International Media Advisory – COP29 Day 2

As Day 2 of COP29 unfolds, critical conversations continue around the new climate finance goal, with developed countries pushing private sector solutions that have repeatedly failed to deliver the scale and quality of funding needed for a just energy transition. Today’s press conferences will spotlight why public finance – not private investment targets – must drive climate action, while also confronting how fossil fuel interests and colonialism continue to undermine global climate progress. From Shell’s ongoing expansion despite court orders, to Azerbaijan’s, US’, and other countries’ role in Israel’s fuel supply chain, we’re tracking how corporate and state actors are perpetuating both climate and humanitarian crises.

This media advisory outlines: 

• Today’s key events:

• • • Press Conference: 09:00 AM – Why a private finance “investment goal” can’t drive the just energy transition (more below)
    • Press Conference: 10:30 AM – Climate Finance: We Can Pay For It 
    • Press Conference: 11:30AM – Palestinian activists confront climate colonialism at COP29 (more below)

• Tomorrow’s key events (November 12): 

• • • 6:00 AM local time: Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter factsheet release

• Upcoming media reactives:

• • November 12: 
    • 11:00 AM Baku / 08:00 AM CET: The Court of Appeal in The Hague will deliver its judgment in Shell’s appeal of the ruling from Milieudefensie’s successful 2021 climate lawsuit. Since the ruling, OCI research shows Shell has flagrantly expanded oil and gas despite orders to align its plans with what is required to curb the climate crisis. OCI experts available for interview.
    • Response to UK’s NDC announcement
  • 13 November:
    •  ‘Public Finance for Climate Action’ event at UK Pavilion – launch of clean energy action plan
    • Reaction: U.S.-China-Azerbaijan COP 29 Summit on Methane and Non-CO2 GHGs

• Yesterday’s reactions, in case you missed them: 

• • U.S.: Oil Change International response to John Podesta speech at COP29
  • New Zealand: Reactive: New Zealand will no longer qualify as a BOGA member after the country restarts offshore oil and gas drilling
  • Carbon Removal: Reaction: UN climate talks start with a gift for Big Oil from Article 6.4 Supervisory Board

Press Conference: 09:00 AM – Why a private finance “investment goal” can’t drive the just energy transition

In the negotiations on the NCQG, developed countries promote mobilization targets or clean energy investment funds that largely rely on the private sector to pay for climate action. They promote this approach particularly in the context of the energy transition. Sindra Sharma (PICAN), Bhekumuzi Bhebhe (Powershift Africa) and Bronwen Tucker (Oil Change International) cover the evidence. This approach has been tried and tested and is not generating the scale, distribution, or quality of funding needed for a fair fossil fuel phaseout. Public funding on fair terms is essential to unlock a just energy transition and rich countries can mobilize the trillions in climate finance that are needed.

When Tuesday 12 November, 9:00 local time
Where COP29 Press Conference – Natavan, Area D – UNFCCC Livestream Link
Statement: 

Bronwen Tucker, Oil Change International Public Finance manager said: 

“The deadline for a new climate finance goal at COP29 means the rich countries most responsible for the climate crisis are on the hook to pay their fair share for fossil fuel phase out and other global climate action. To avoid paying the trillions per year in public funding that they owe, governments like the UK, Canada, and Germany are arguing that the private sector can cover most of the bill for a just energy transition. But a decade plus of this approach shows it is not realistic. The private sector-first approach has been tried and tested and is not generating the scale, distribution, or quality of funding needed.”

Press Conference: 11:30AM – Palestinian activists and allies confront climate colonialism at COP29

Palestinian activists and allies issue a powerful call for climate justice, addressing the urgent intersections of colonialism, genocide, ecocide, and global solidarity. This press conference will amplify the demand for an immediate energy embargo on Israel to cut off the resources that fuel Israel’s genocidal war machine. Drawing on new research tracking oil supply chains to Israel, Azerbaijan provides 28% through the BTC pipeline. The US continues to supply crucial JP8 jet fuel from Texas, with data showing that 54% of all oil shipments to Israel since October 2023 occurred after the ICJ’s January 2024 ruling regarding plausible genocide in Gaza, leading to increased calls for energy embargoes and corporate accountability.
Read the full report from OCI: Behind the Barrel: New Insights into the Countries and Companies Behind Israel’s Fuel Supply
When: Tuesday, 12 November, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM  

Where: Press Room 2 (Natavan), Area D of COP29 Venue, Baku Olympic Stadium  

Statement: 

Shady Khalil, Oil Change International Senior Global Policy Strategist, said:
“The data is damning – Azerbaijan, as COP29 host, supplies 28% of Israel’s oil while the US continues shipping crucial jet fuel from Texas refineries. Even after the ICJ’s ruling on plausible genocide, these countries chose profit over Palestinian lives. This exposes the deep hypocrisy of nations that claim to care about climate justice while fueling colonial violence. We cannot separate the struggle for climate justice from the fight against colonialism and military occupation. Countries must be held accountable – they have the power to stop this violence by turning off the taps.” 

To Be Released November 13, 6am Baku Time
Empty Promises: Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter Factsheet

At COP28 in December 2023, 50 oil and gas companies launched the ‘Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter’. In 2024, the Charter’s member companies approved massive oil and gas expansion and committed billions in new oil and gas expenditure. Experts available for interview.

Spokespeople and areas of focus

At COP29, reach out to us to connect with spokespeople to cover: 

• • Financing a just transition: NCQG, fossil fuel subsidies and finance, financial architecture reform, Clean Energy Transition Partnership, Global Clean Power Alliance, OECD, MDB and G20 finance announcements.
  • Fossil fuel phaseout: Troika fossil fuel expansion, Nationally Determined Contributions, diplomacy and negotiations, abatement, hypocrisy via oil and gas expansion, 1.5ºC scenarios
  • Industry and False Solutions: Industry pledges, Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter, IEA / WEO, CCS, False Solutions Subsidies, Kick Polluters Out
  • United States: U.S. Election, U.S. fair share NDC, LNG, certified gas, U.S. subsidies, U.S. Congress
  • Africa: Resistance to oil and gas in Africa, oil and gas expansion in Africa

OCI will have spokespeople available on the ground at COP29 for interviews and press panels, as well as representatives in alternative timezones for those journalists not in attendance in Baku. 

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