COP29 Reveals World’s Most Polluting Cities Amid Frustration Over Fossil Fuel Interests
New data presented at COP29 highlights that cities in Asia and the United States are the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, with Shanghai leading the list. This revelation has intensified frustrations regarding the fossil fuel industry’s influence at climate talks.
At the ongoing UN climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, new research indicates that cities in Asia and the United States are the primary contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, with Shanghai identified as the most polluting city globally, an article by Arab News reported yesterday. This data, derived from satellite observations and artificial intelligence, emphasizes the urgent need for nations to establish new targets to mitigate emissions.
The report from Climate Trace, co-founded by former US Vice President Al Gore, reveals that seven states, primarily in China, produce over 1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases annually, with Texas being the only exception. The total global emissions of carbon dioxide and methane rose by 0.7% to 61.2 billion metric tons in 2023, with notable increases seen in China, India, and Iran.
Shanghai emits 256 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, surpassing the emissions of entire nations like Colombia and Norway. Other major cities include Tokyo (250 million metric tons), New York City (160 million), and Houston (150 million). Gore highlighted that a site in Texas’s Permian Basin is the worst polluting location worldwide, overshadowing other notorious sites.
Frustration among climate officials is growing as they perceive a lack of effective action against fossil fuel interests. COP29 has seen significant participation from fossil fuel lobbyists, raising concerns about the integrity of the climate talks. Former UN leaders have called for urgent reforms, stating that the current global climate process is inadequate and overly influenced by oil-producing nations.
