"They're Expanding Fossil Fuels": Indian Activist Harjeet Singh on Rich Countries' Hypocrisy at COP29

We continue our look at COP29’s ongoing negotiations for an international climate finance agreement, which is still under contention as of Thursday morning due in large part to wealthy countries’ refusal to commit to a proposed monetary target on the financing of developing nations’ transition from fossil fuels. Countries that have already industrialized off the backs of fossil fuel exploitation have a “responsibility” to offset these “injustices,” according to Indian climate activist Harjeet Singh. “Developed countries are trying to pose themselves as climate leaders … but back home they’re expanding fossil fuels,” says Singh. “The core of the issue remains finance. Unless money is put on the table, the transitioning away from fossil fuels is not going to be a reality in developing countries.”