Major Polluters Skip UN Climate Talks Amid Extreme Weather Focus

The United Nations annual climate conference, COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, is marked by the absence of leaders from the world's largest carbon dioxide-polluting countries, including China, the United States, and India. These nations account for over 70% of global emissions, raising concerns about the lack of political will to address climate change. The conference focuses on climate finance, with developing countries demanding $1.3 trillion annually to transition away from fossil fuels and cope with climate impacts. Despite the absence of major leaders, the conference sees participation from climate-vulnerable nations and discussions on ambitious emission reduction targets.