The year 2023 was reported as the warmest on record by the World Meteorological Organization, with the average global temperature rising by 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial levels. Scientists say this spike causes an increase in natural disasters.
On November 12, 2024, Lukashenko pointed an accusatory finger at the so-called ‘Anglo-Saxons,’ blaming them for the deteriorating situation.
“I highlighted three wars polluting the atmosphere: the Houthis are being crushed for known reasons, there’s a large-scale war in the Middle East, with potential involvement of other countries, and the war in Ukraine. These are just the major conflicts. There are over 50 such conflicts. This primarily pollutes the atmosphere. I mentioned this in Dubai. And who produces the most? The Anglo-Saxons. Where are they? They're not here,” Lukashenko said.
On November 14, Konstantin Snisarenko, a researcher at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, echoed similar sentiments during the ‘Opinion’ program on the state-run TV Gomel broadcast: “Western leaders' decision to ignore this summit reflects a certain political short-sightedness.”
However, China led global CO2 emissions in 2023, accounting for one-third of worldwide emissions, according to data from the UN and the European Commission. Following China, the largest Earth polluters — at a significant distance — are the USA, India, the EU, and Russia. The US and EU are working to reduce carbon footprints while China, India, and Russia continue increasing emissions.
Indeed, key global leaders including the United States, France, the UK, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen did not attend the summit. Von der Leyen cited the need to focus on her immediate responsibilities as she prepares for her second term. French President Emmanuel Macron has strained relations with Azerbaijan due to his condemnation of the Nagorno-Karabakh war. However, leaders from China, India, Russia, and Brazil also did not attend the climate conference.