Key experts, including former UN leaders, have declared that the United Nations’ COP climate talks are ‘no longer fit for purpose’ and require urgent reform. In a letter to the UN, they emphasize that nations hosting talks must commit to phasing out fossil fuels to effectively address the climate crisis. As COP29 convenes in Azerbaijan, concerns arise over its leadership’s commitment following reports of potential fossil fuel deals. While the Paris Agreement has achieved significant milestones, the current COP framework is deemed too slow to combat escalating climate impacts, with scientists warning that ‘Planet Earth is in critical condition.’