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COP28. COP29. COP30

The COP is a regular international forum where UN contracting parties meet to discuss measures to address changes in the climate crisis. Each COP conference is numbered according to the order, for example COP26 was held in 2021. COP28 will be held in the United Arab Emirates at Expo City in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023. In this category, we will bring you current information from COP28. .

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COP29: Joint press release on the 1.5°C-balanced ambition in the NDC towards net zero

The United Kingdom, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates have announced NDC targets to 2035 that set a high bar for ambition. GZERO countries Bhutan, Madagascar, Panama and Suriname have already achieved net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Canada, Chile, European Union, Georgia, Mexico, Norway and Switzerland aim to submit additional NDCs which are:

  • In line with IPCC emission trajectories and global assessments, they require deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in line with 1.5°C;
  • Absolute economy-wide emission reduction targets covering all greenhouse gases, sectors and categories; a
  • Aligned with a sharp and credible reduction in emissions towards their net zero targets by mid-century, consistent with a linear or steeper trajectory.

Together, we recognize the urgent need for action to address the climate crisis and the critical role of major emitters in putting the world on the 1.5°C path. We are committed to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement and keeping 1.5°C within reach, and we recognize the significant economic imperatives and opportunities for strong climate action. (More on climate.ec.europa.eu)

COP29 so far: The good news and the bad news

Record high emissions of greenhouse gases from power plants, cars and boilers burning fossil fuels mean our planet is warming faster than at any time in half a billion years. This temperature spike appears to be accelerating further in 2023 and 2024, threatening sudden changes in the Earth system – such as the collapse of the Amazon rainforest – that could change our world. (By Jack Marley, The Conversation, more at phys.org)

New initiatives launched by the COP 29 UNFCCC Presidency

The COP29 Presidency recently launched the Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste and the Baku Harmoniya Climate Farmers Initiative.

  • The Declaration builds on the work of previous COPs by supporting the implementation of the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) by 2021, which was launched at COP26.

On the reduction of methane from the declaration of organic waste

  • The signatories declared their commitment to set sectoral targets to reduce methane from organic waste in future NDCs and to establish policies and roadmaps to meet sectoral methane targets.
    • Organic waste is the third largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions after agriculture and fossil fuels.
  • It was developed in collaboration with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) convened by UNEP.
    • CCAC is a voluntary partnership established in 2012 to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) such as methane, black carbon, HFCs and tropospheric ozone.
  • Signatories: 35 countries (India is not a signatory), accounting for 47 % of global methane emissions from organic waste.

About the Baku Harmoniya climate initiative for farmers

  • This is a new aggregator platform launched by the Azerbaijani Presidency of COP29 with the UN FAO.
  • Objective: Helping farmers navigate various programs to support the transformation of agri-food systems resilient to climate change, catalyze investments and empower farmers, especially women and youth.
  • It will be hosted by FAO as part of the Food and Agriculture Partnership for Sustainable Transformation (FAST).
    • FAST is a multi-stakeholder platform based on COP27 (2022) working to strengthen the quantity and quality of climate finance in agri-food systems for the most vulnerable groups.

What is COP29 and why is it being hailed as the 'financial COP'?

As climate change worsens, the 29th annual UN Climate Conference, aka COP29, taking place from 11 to 22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a key chance to increase global efforts to tackle the problem. As the world experiences severe weather events and record high emissions, the summit will focus on important topics such as climate finance, national targets and ways to tackle climate damage.

Nearly 200 countries will come together, and what happens here will shape international climate policies for years to come. Let's break down all the important details you should know about this crucial climate debate. (Jennifer L, more at carboncredits.com)

Developing countries are least responsible for climate change, but are most affected by it. Will COP29 address this injustice?

Since the Industrial Revolution, country after country has turned to fossil fuels to power transportation and industry. Now the bill is due. There are huge volumes of long-stored carbon in the atmosphere that are warming the planet. Climate disasters are becoming more frequent and worse.

But the pain of climate change is not shared fairly. Developing countries are worst off, despite emitting far fewer greenhouse gases. To date, two regions – Europe and North America – have contributed 60 % of total global emissions. This has made them much richer, but at a cost borne largely by those of us in the Global South.

That injustice will be in the spotlight this week when leaders and diplomats gather in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the annual UN climate talks. Climate finance is at the fore - specifically the vexed question of who pays. (Imraan Valodia, Julia Taylor and Katrina Lehmann-Grube, The Conversation)

COP29 Azerbaijan put the climate fund on ice

Azerbaijan's presidency was expected to unveil one of its flagship — and most controversial — initiatives at COP29's "finance day": a new climate fund with money voluntarily contributed by countries and fossil fuel companies.

But the Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF) has all but disappeared from the agenda. When asked by Climate Home about this, Azerbaijan's chief negotiator, Jalchin Rafiyev, cryptically said that the COP hosts had formed a working group to "develop a concept that would be feasible and acceptable" to donor countries. (More on limatechangenews.com)

Can COP29 in Baku meet climate commitments?

The negotiations at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, are a crucial test of global resolve against climate change. Countries from all over the world are meeting to discuss and agree on joint actions to support existing contributions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent further global warming.

Key challenges and expectations

COP29 comes at a time when global temperatures are on the rise and the number of extreme climate events is increasing. Therefore, the negotiations not only have to prolong the life of already existing promises, but also ensure their more effective implementation. However, the problem remains the question of financing - especially for developing countries, which support the most in adapting to climate impacts. These to more richly provide the required financial support in a fund that helped them adapt by providing the country with sustainable energy sources at the same time.

According to some experts, it is crucial that COP29 not only come up with new goals, but also provide mechanisms that monitor countries' progress in achieving their climate goals. These mechanisms should be transparent and measurable to ensure trust between items and to ensure that all commitments are met effectively.

Key body of COP29

  1. Financing adaptation and mitigation : Much of the discussion concerns the creation of a strong framework for financing, where developing countries require specific commitments from rich countries. One solution is to increase contributions to the Green Climate Fund, which was used for the adaptation and development of sustainable technologies.
  2. Transition to clean energy : The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is one of the goals of COP29. Participating countries will discuss how to increase carbon reduction and encourage investment in solar, wind and other forms of renewable energy.
  3. Protecting biodiversity and reducing deforestation : Degradation of forests and reduction of biodiversity are serious climate threats. Therefore, one of the main goals of COP29 is to find mechanisms to protect natural ecosystems that serve as "carbon sinks" and contribute to maintaining ecosystem stability.
  4. Support of technologies and innovations : Technology and innovation play a key role in achieving climate goals. The discussions would have concrete plans to finance technological innovations that reduced greenhouse gas emissions and enabled greater decarbonisation of industry.

A significant turning point for climate diplomacy

COP29 can be a major turning point for global climate efforts if countries can agree on American but also real steps. However, a series of failures to change the funding and transparency negotiations remains a warning. Critics warn that if a way to measure and track commitments is not achieved, COP29 could end up as another forum where promises are not kept.

On the other hand, optimists believe that and the ever-increasing number of climate disasters create an urgent need to unite efforts. COP29 in Baku therefore represents an opportune opportunity to create a stronger commitment that contributed to a more sustainable future and halted or slowed down the progress of the climate crisis.

If COP29 lives up to expectations, it could be a significant step for the world towards averting the catastrophic consequences of climate change.

COP29 The world must reach carbon neutrality much sooner than planned.

World leaders offered conflicting views on how to tackle climate change at a UN-led meeting on Wednesday, as a new report warned the world must reach carbon neutrality much sooner than planned. Planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions from oil, gas and coal rose to a new record this year, according to preliminary research by the Global Carbon Project, an international network of scientists.

The news came as leaders gathered in Azerbaijan for the COP29 climate talks, aiming to reach an agreement to increase funding to help poorer countries adapt to climate shocks and transition to cleaner energy.

To keep the Paris Agreement's ambitious target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius within sight, the world would now need to achieve net zero CO2 emissions, research has found to the end of the 1930s - instead of 2050. (Laurent THOMET, more at phys.org)

A guide to climate change jargon and abbreviations

The aid sector loves its acronyms. Mix in some climate science and the political language of global treaty negotiations, and you have a recipe for a (rapidly heating) pot of alphabet soup. Here's our updated guide to some language abbreviations, acronyms and initialisms that help make the language of climate change a little more concise, if not entirely clear.

We also mix in some key concepts that underlie climate action and summit negotiations. (Irwin Loy, Will Worley, more at thenewhumanitarian.org)

COP29

The 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29) will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11 to 22 November 2024. This year, the EU pavilion will serve as an information and networking hub. We invite you to explore what the EU is doing at home and around the world to meet its climate commitments. Visit the pavilion and find out how the EU is driving change through policies, projects and international partnerships to protect the planet and its people. (More on climate.ec.europa.eu)

What is the NAP assessment at COP29 and why does it matter?

Climate change adaptation is becoming a key strategy for countries around the world, especially as global temperatures continue to rise. They were created to achieve this goal national adaptation plans (NAP) , which help countries strengthen their resilience and systematically prepare for the consequences of territorial changes. At the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, one of the main agenda items will be the progress of the NAP process. This process and its assessment are of fundamental importance for accelerating adaptation to climate change and mobilizing the necessary resources for the country, which is most vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis.


What is the NAP process?

National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) were created within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010. The main objective of the NAP is to help countries plan and integrate adaptation measures into their national policies and development strategies. they have become a fixed part of decision-making, planning and financing.

Since its inception, the NAP process has undergone considerable development, including the preparation of technical guidelines, capacity building and the opening of special financial instruments to support the development of countries. Supporting initiatives such as NAP Global Network , provide technical assistance and knowledge sharing to help improve the NAP process and help countries move from planning to implementation.


The significance of the NAP assessment at COP29

At the COP26 conference, countries agreed that the evaluation of the NAP process should be completed at COP29. This assessment is an important opportunity for:

  • Knowing the importance of adaptation and the NAP process : Adaptation focuses on preventing the impacts of climate change before its greatest consequences are felt. Evaluation at COP29 to draw attention to the importance of adaptation measures as a basic step in climate policy.
  • Appreciation of the adaptation contexts of developing countries : Developing countries are particularly vulnerable to climate change. However, they are making important progress in adaptation despite limited resources, so it is important to recognize their efforts and disseminate their successes and best practices.
  • Highlighting challenges and needs : The evaluation of the NAP will make it possible to identify obstacles that complicate the effective introduction of adaptation measures. Developing countries face a lack of resources and technical support, which limits their ability to respond to the climate crisis.
  • Providing recommendations for the future : The NAP process is not static – it is a dynamic plan that adapts to needs and experience. The assessment can provide recommendations for improving and scaling up adaptation measures, including financing strategies, and help countries move from planning to implementation.

Current status of the NAP process

In 2015 and 2018, countries faced the task of assessing the progress of the NAP process, as many countries had only just started implementation and the lack of available information. Today, the situation is significantly different – as of November 1, 2024, the NAP has already submitted its documents 59 developing countries and more than 140 countries the NAP process has begun. This significant progress proves that the country is adapting seriously and at the same time that it is sufficiently evaluated which are working best and which areas require further support.

It is important for the country that I gain insight into what is preventing them from adapting more effectively. The COP29 conference offers an opportunity to jointly evaluate results, find where there are gaps and determine priorities for the next period.


Evaluation results: What should the final decision contain?

The final decision on the evaluation of the NAPs at COP29 should be fair and truly balanced, considering their efforts to adapt to climate change. This decision should:

  1. Recognize the adaptation efforts of developing countries over the past decade, particularly the progress it has made despite various obstacles.
  2. Highlight key challenges and needs in the NAP process, including the lack of technical capacity, financial resources and geographical differences in adaptation that make faster implementation difficult.
  3. Signal the urgent need to speed up adaptation measures and transition of countries from planning to implementation of important projects. The NAP process must be inclusive and fair so that no one is left behind, and should also include principles such as gender equality and social inclusion.
  4. Provide recommendations for improving adaptation financing : COP29 will have a strong focus on NAP financing and evaluation by reflecting the current challenges of developing countries in gaining access to adaptation finance.
  5. Focus on exchanging best practices and successful cases of adaptation , which can serve as a model for other countries. Support networks, such as the Global NAP Network, can help leverage best practices and provide countries with better tools for effective adaptation.

Why does the NAP evaluation at COP29 matter?

It is necessary to prepare the evaluation of the NAP at COP29, to improve the effective implementation of national adaptation plans. Adaptation is the only way to reduce countries' vulnerability to climate change and their resilience. While the Paris Agreement aims to mitigate environmental change, adaptation is equally important for countries to manage the impacts they are already experiencing.

This assessment will also provide insight into what is working and what needs to be improved in order for the country to move from planning to implementation. The need to move from strategies to the actual project is more important today than before. COP29 is thus an opportunity to strengthen this commitment and motivate countries to take further steps in the fight against climate change.


Conclusion

The evaluation of the NAP process at COP29 in Baku is a key step to accelerate adaptation measures worldwide. Although the country has made progress in adaptation planning in recent years, implementation itself remains slow and uneven. The final decision of COP29 must provide clear direction to countries on how to use barriers and increase funding to make the transition from planning to implementation as beneficial and efficient as possible.

Adaptation to climate change is key to a sustainable future, and the evaluation of the NAP process will provide a country with important insight that will not only help me manage climate challenges, but also the resilience and prosperity of their societies. Spring

COP 29: Another over-promised and under-achieved climate summit?

In connection with the UN climate summit (COP29), which is to be held from November 11 to 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the US presidential election is approaching. For now, the US delegation to the summit will be led by John Podesta, senior adviser on international climate policy. It is difficult to predict whether the United States will have its own climate envoy by the time COP30 takes place.

The US election is not the only puzzle of the summit. More worryingly, COP29 is divided on its obvious goal: climate finance.

The Baku COP is so focused on climate finance – and its new collective quantified goal (NCQG) – that it has been dubbed the “Finance COP”. According to the NCQG, wealthy member states determine their quantified contributions to the annual climate finance targets agreed upon after President Barack Obama's active intervention in 2009 at COP15 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Developed countries at COP15 agreed to contribute $100 billion annually by 2020. However, they did not fulfill this promise until 2022, and that too only twice. (Tarique Niazi, more at fpif.org)

Everything you need to know about COP29, the UN climate change conference

This year we have once again seen the dramatic consequences of the continued burning of fossil fuels around the world, such as Hurricane Debby in Quebec, the fires in Jasper and flooding in southern Ontario. Around the world, millions of people have been displaced, injured and even killed by climate catastrophe.

It is in this context that world leaders will meet from November 11 to 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan, to continue global efforts to address the climate crisis. This important meeting, known as COP29 (meaning "Conference of the Parties"), is the 29th year of UN climate negotiations since the creation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1995.

Before this important moment, here are the key things you need to know. (Alienor Rougeot, more at environmentaldefense.ca)

COP29: Carbon markets must be fixed, but they are not a quick fix for the climate crisis

The world is dangerously close to the 1.5°C temperature rise limit set by the Paris Agreement, and the UN warns that unless course is reversed, the world is on track for a catastrophic warming of 3.1°C by the end of the century. , humanity is spewing more planet-warming gases than ever before. These alarming signals make it abundantly clear that we need to massively reduce our collective carbon footprint, but most of the world's governments are fighting back.

At the previous climate conference, COP28, governments made a historic pledge to transition away from fossil fuels, but failed to translate this into additional action or ambition. In addition, they also failed to meet the voluntary carbon market commitments they announced in Dubai.

With another oil nation, Azerbaijan, deepening its commitment and investment in fossil fuels at the forefront of COP29, and other countries either increasing their emissions or not reducing them fast enough, the prospects for COP29 appear bleak. But it is imperative that governments take their collective responsibility and halt our spiraling descent into climate disaster. (More on carbonmarketwatch.org)

Nature, climate and land

Everything you need to know about this year's three big environmental conferences. Climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, desertification and drought are deeply interconnected aspects of the planetary crisis.

With most of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) currently off track, we must act urgently to manage this crisis and secure a livable future.

This year, three major environmental Conferences of the Parties (COP) are being held over the course of six weeks.

They represent a unique opportunity to solve our most pressing problems head-on and together. The challenges we face do not exist in isolation, and neither do solutions. The outcome of the COP is crucial for our future.

Here's what you need to know.

COP29: What are NDCs and why do they matter?

The NDCs include each country's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with specific targets, as well as measures countries are taking to adapt to climate change, along with implementation strategies and timeframes for achieving these targets.

As the name suggests, they are unique to each nation and reflect their specific circumstances, capabilities and priorities in the fight against climate change.

The first NDCs were part of the Paris Agreement, which was agreed upon by all 196 parties. The first update was in 2020, and the deadline for updating these commitments again is February 2025. The goal is to reach them by 2035. (More on weforum.org)

EU cities and regions at the UN climate change conference (COP29)

For the CoR delegation at COP28 and for subnational governments around the world, COP28 was not only a significant step forward in global climate efforts with the historic agreement to transition away from fossil fuels, but also represented a breakthrough in a long-standing challenge for subnational governments around the world: that their voice was heard at UN summits.

COP28 witnessed an unprecedented commitment by the COP28 Presidency, which hosted the first ever Local Climate Action Summit (LCAS) and the second Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change as part of the official COP agenda. In addition, more than 70 countries supported the COP28 Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP), committing to work with their subnational governments to update their future climate plans by COP30 in 2025. (More on cor.europa.eu)

What's next for global climate action?

This November, COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan follows a turbulent year marked by global conflicts and worsening climate impacts. With high expectations, the summit will address critical issues such as climate finance, the transition to renewable energy sources, nature-based solutions and adaptation strategies. The stakes are high as the outcomes of COP29 will shape global efforts to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and secure a sustainable future.

50 years after the end of mankind's worst and most destructive war, a historic gathering was held in the bustling city of Berlin, in a similar setting in 1995. Delegates from around the world gathered for the inaugural Conference of the Parties (COP), which was born out of growing concern about a changing climate. (Manish Dabkara , more at etedge-insights.com)

Global cooperation is essential in the fight against climate change, says the UN representative

There must be global cooperation in the fight against climate change. Alessandra Roccasalvo, acting representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Azerbaijan, stated this during her speech at the international forum of ombudsmen in Baku, reports Azernews.

She noted that a new generation of young people is actively involved in the fight against climate change.

"The lack of water is such a big problem that future generations will suffer from it. They will not be able to do what the old generation did. Azerbaijan will host COP29. It is not an easy task, but I am proud to participate. Through joint discussions, we can fight climate change and find solutions," she said. (Nazrin Abdul, more at azernews.az)

UN Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 29)

The 29th session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan. This event will include the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 29), the 19th session of the COP serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 19) and the sixth session of the COP serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 6), which will inter alia will meet to finalize the first enhanced transparency framework and the new collective quantified financial target. (More on unep.org)

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