The president of COP29’s host country has told the UN climate conference that oil and gas are a "gift of god". Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev criticised "Western fake news" about the country's emissions and said nations "should not be blamed" for having fossil fuel reserves.

By William James and Kate Abnett BAKU (Reuters) -Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev used a keynote speech at the COP29 climate summit to lash out at Western critics of his country's oil and gas industry,

He singled out the US, the world’s largest historic carbon emitter, and the EU for particular criticism, accusing them of double standards.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would cut greenhouse gas emissions by 81% by 2035 as he committed the country to a more ambitious climate goal at the United Nations COP29 climate summit. The new goal is in line with a recommendation from a committee of climate advisers who said last month the target should exceed the current 78% cut to emissions,

Keir Starmer unveils ambitious UK climate goal at COP29 The Prime Minister has arrived in Azerbaijan for the Cop29 climate summit, where he will argue that the transition to green energy is an investment opportunity.