Keep using fossil fuels, Hungary’s Orbán tells COP29 climate summit

BAKU, Azerbaijan — Let’s continue using oil and gas, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told world leaders at the United Nations climate summit today.
“We must continue advancing the green transition while also maintaining our use of natural gas, oil and nuclear energy,” Orbán said.
His remarks stand in stark contrast to the European Union’s message that last year’s global agreement to transition away from fossil fuels must be defended at this year’s conference, known as COP29.
Orbán also said that “we cannot sacrifice our industry or agriculture in this process,” and that “we cannot impose unrealistic quotas or burdensome rules on farmers and companies.”
But, he added, Hungary is also positioning itself to become “a significant player in electric vehicle development and electricity storage.”
Orbán is among the few EU leaders who attended this year’s summit in Azerbaijan, with Germany’s Olaf Scholz, France’s Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen choosing to stay home. Hungary currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, which represents member states.
He concluded his speech by saying: “I firmly believe that by working together, we can balance ambition with pragmatism, establishing Europe as a global leader in climate action without compromising the prosperity of our industries and agriculture.”
Just before Orbán took the stage to deliver his speech, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer used his statement to announce a new climate target.