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COP29 Live Blog
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COP 29 Live Blog - 18th November
Welcome to our live blog of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP 29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan. Over the next two weeks, world leaders, policymakers, activists, and experts will gather to discuss and negotiate critical issues related to climate change, biodiversity, and sustainability. The stakes are high, as the world faces a climate crisis that demands urgent and transformative action. We will be bringing you real-time updates, insights, and exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses of the event, providing a comprehensive overview of the discussions, decisions, and outcomes of COP 29.
The Day in Summary
Updated 23:10 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
12 hours later, its time to close the live blog for today. Here's the day in summary; - COP 29 has entered its final week, with negotiations focusing on critical issues such as climate finance, loss and damage, and mitigation. Developing nations are advocating for substantial financial support to adapt to climate change and transition away from fossil fuels, while rich nations have yet to fully commit to their contributions.
- Climate Finance: The "new collective quantified goal on climate finance" is a central focus, with discussions ongoing regarding the amount, contributor base, and structure of the funding agreement.
- Loss and Damage: Vulnerable nations are calling for a dedicated loss and damage sub-goal within the new climate finance goal, recognizing the irreparable impacts of climate change.
- Mitigation: Discussions are underway to explore potential outcomes for mitigation, including a new finance goal and support for developing countries' reporting under the Paris Agreement.
- Gender: The COP 29 Presidency is holding consultations to address ongoing disagreements around terminology in gender negotiations and the future role of the UNFCCC in advancing gender issues.
In the green and blue zone, side events focused on the theme of the day, "Youth, Health & Education". Also, the UK and US formed a partnership to collaborate on civil nuclear energy, aiming to accelerate the development of new nuclear technologies.
As for the negotiations, some progress has been made, but it remains largely deadlocked on several key issues. The COP 29 Presidency is urging ministers to accelerate discussions and demonstrate courage in reaching a fair and ambitious deal. While the UN climate chief has called for substantive discussions and avoided delaying tactics, emphasizing the importance of climate finance for protecting economies and people from climate impacts.
Transatlantic Nuclear Alliance Takes Shape
Updated 22:30 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
Today, on the sidelines, the UK and US signed a new agreement to collaborate on civil nuclear energy. The deal aims to pool billions in research funds to accelerate the development of new nuclear technologies. This move aligns with the goal of 31 countries, including the US and UK, to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050. Both nations hope that advanced nuclear technologies, like advanced modular reactors, can significantly contribute to decarbonizing heavy industries such as hydrogen and steel production. UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband expressed optimism about nuclear energy's role in a clean energy future, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration to advance cutting-edge nuclear technology.
Another Update for the Deadlocked Negotiations
Updated 20:30 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
The negotiations remain focused on the critical issue of climate finance. Developing countries are advocating for $1.3 trillion in funding to adapt to climate change and transition away from fossil fuels, while rich nations have yet to specify their contributions. Ministers from Australia and the UK have been tasked with facilitating discussions on the "new collective quantified goal on climate finance." The Australian climate change minister, Chris Bowen, emphasized the need to address the quantum of funding, the contributor base, and the structure of the funding agreement.
COP 29 President Mukhtar Babayev urged ministers to accelerate negotiations and demonstrate courage in reaching a fair and ambitious deal. He stressed the importance of G20 nations' leadership in driving progress.
"People have told me that they are concerned about the state of the negotiations. Let me be clear, I’m also concerned that the parties are not moving towards each other quickly enough. It’s time for them to move faster. Politicians have the power to reach a fair and ambitious deal. They must deliver on this responsibility. They must engage immediately and constructively. The highest possible level of ambition is indeed difficult, and it requires courage. Colleagues, now is the time to be brave."
The UN climate chief, Simon Stiell, called for ministers to focus on substantive discussions and avoid delaying tactics. He emphasized the importance of climate finance for protecting economies and people from climate impacts.
"There is still a ton of work to do to ensure COP 29 delivers...I’ve been very blunt. Climate finance is not charity. It is 100% in every nation’s interest to protect their economies and people from rampant climate impacts...Ministers who have just arrived need to roll up their sleeves and dive into the hardest issues. Bluffing, brinksmanship and premeditated playbooks are burning up precious time. So let’s cut the theatrics and get down to the real business this week."
From the Negotiation Rooms
Updated 17:40 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
The COP 29 Presidency is currently holding consultations to address ongoing disagreements around terminology that has stalled progress in the gender negotiations. In parallel, parties are discussing the future role of the UNFCCC in advancing gender issues. Notably, female representation remains highest among younger delegates, with 52% of those under 26 years old, compared to 24% of those over 66.
COP President Babayev clarified that the Presidency will not initiate a process to develop a cover decision, emphasizing that existing mandates on the governing bodies' agendas can encompass all key priorities.
On mitigation, Babayev reassured parties that COP29 would not "be silent," with consultations led by Tore Onshuus Sandvik (Norway) and Dion Travers George (South Africa) to explore potential outcomes. Additionally, discussions are underway regarding a new finance goal, with Yasmine Fouad (Egypt) and Chris Bowen (Australia) tasked with determining its structure, contributors, and the level of financing, which is expected to be no less than USD 100 billion per year.
Meanwhile, some decisions from the June UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies are beginning to be adopted, including extensions to the mandate of the working group facilitating the implementation of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform, as earlier agreed in Bonn.
A few minutes ago, parties began debating how to move forward with discussions on several issues for which no texts were forwarded from the UNFCCC's Subsidiary Bodies. Among the key topics under discussion are loss and damage, as well as support for developing countries' reporting under the Paris Agreement. Delegates are now exploring how to advance these critical issues without formal text proposals on the table.
Engaging Suppliers for Climate Action
Updated 16:40 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
The panel discussion on engaging suppliers for climate action featured Johan Falk, CEO of Exponential Roadmap Initiative, and Mats Pellbäck Scharp, Chair of We Don’t Have Time. They shared valuable insights on how businesses can leverage supplier relationships to reduce emissions and drive climate action effectively.
Johan Falk emphasized the critical role of corporates in guiding their suppliers to meet ambitious climate targets. "Big companies must clearly signal to their suppliers that they are expected to align with climate goals and track emissions," Falk said. He highlighted the success of the 1.5 Supply Chain Leaders initiative, where 70% of companies are on track to meet 2030 carbon reduction goals. This demonstrates that cutting emissions in scope 3 is not only achievable but necessary for progress.
The session stressed the importance of data collection and transparency in reducing emissions across supply chains. Scharp noted that suppliers play a significant role in raising internal awareness and advancing sustainability goals across organizations. “Procurement departments are key drivers of emissions reduction,” he pointed out, illustrating that collaboration with suppliers can also support innovation and research and development efforts.
Children Demand Climate Justice
Updated 16:30 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
Today, youth, health, and education takes the center stage with a series of side events held around Baku’s stadium. Youth activists have been vocal in urging world leaders to honor the commitments made in the Paris Agreement, particularly in safeguarding the future of young people affected by climate change.
One of the highlights from a special session with UNICEF youth advocates, was a powerful speech by Georgina, a 10-year-old from Tanzania, who addressed delegates about the severe impact climate change is having on children's health and education in her community. She described how children, especially in rural areas, suffer from water scarcity and extreme weather, which prevent them from attending school and pursuing their education. Georgina called for investments in clean water systems, climate-resilient schools, and renewable energy solutions to support education and healthcare.
”I stand before you today, not just as one child, but as the voice of millions of children whose lives are deeply affected by climate change, especially our health and education...Climate change is making us sick in rural areas where there is no clean water. When boys and girls are sick, they miss school. During extreme heat waves, many children become sick and dehydrated, especially during those long walks to fetch water...The water crisis affects both our health and education.When you, world leaders, signed the Paris Agreement, you made a promise to protect our future. Today, I stand here as a child asking you to keep that promise. Help build climate resilient schools, clean water systems and better health care facilities. Invest in clean energy for our schools and health centres. Solar power can keep vaccines cold and help us study at night.Remember, when you protect the environment, you protect children’s health, education and dreams, and a healthy, educated child can change the world.”
Zunaira, 14, from Pakistan, also shared her experiences, emphasizing how floods and heatwaves have become a regular part of life in her community. She highlighted the disproportionate impact on girls, who often miss school during times of crisis. Zunaira urged world leaders to take immediate action, saying that young people need more than promises—they need real, tangible changes to ensure a secure and sustainable future.
”Where I come from, climate disasters like floods and heat waves are a part of life. Floods disturb everything, our education, our safety, our security, and most particularly, our futures. When communities are hit by floods, resources become limited, and girls in particular, are impacted by the limited resources in the family. They are not their priority. They are forced to miss school. The family simply cannot afford this education in the times of crisis...Children around the globe face unique struggles because of climate change, but we also have unique solutions to tackle it. We bring fresh ideas, our energy and the perspective of living through these challenges every day. I truly believe that we make a difference.But we need more than just policies and promises – we need action today. We don’t just need to be heard – it is our right to be heard. We will inherit this planet but the choices you made in the past are disturbing and impacting our future. Let’s work for a future which empowers young people to reach their full potential.”
Frustration Mounts as Negotiations Struggle to Advance on Climate Finance
Updated 16:10 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
Frustration is building again today, with slow progress on a key issue: climate finance. Experts have stressed that developing countries need $1 trillion annually by 2030 (excluding China) to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to below 2°C. However, the first week of talks showed limited progress, with ongoing challenges in areas like adaptation, emission cuts, and honoring past commitments.
The new climate finance target is emerging as a central focus of the conference, with government ministers now arriving to tackle contentious issues, including how much money should be raised and which countries will contribute. Despite efforts to condense a lengthy 25-page negotiation text, which has grown from an initial 9 pages, the number of unresolved issues remains high.
Developing nations, already vulnerable to climate disasters, are growing increasingly frustrated as discussions stall, with many pointing to a lack of urgency from developed countries. "Last week was a very tough week," said Mark Lutes, Senior Adviser for Global Climate Policy at WWF. "Negotiators are sticking to their mandates amid difficult political realities," he added speaking to the Guardian, suggesting that only ministers can resolve these complex issues. There is a sense of rising anxiety, with some experts urging parties to find common ground before it’s too late. COP 29 has just 4 official days left and yet there's nothing concrete to show for the "Finance COP".
A Call for Equity from the World’s Most Vulnerable Nations
Updated 15:40 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
As the world grapples with the growing climate crisis, a critical demand is emerging from nations that have contributed little to the problem but are bearing the greatest burden: climate finance must address not only mitigation and adaptation but also loss and damage. These countries, predominantly in the Global South, are already experiencing the irreversible impacts of climate change, from devastating floods and droughts to the loss of infrastructure and livelihoods. While they have historically emitted minimal greenhouse gases, they are now among the most vulnerable to the effects of a crisis they did not create.
In this context, many developing nations are pushing for the inclusion of a dedicated loss and damage sub-goal as part of the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. Loss and damage refers to the irreparable impacts of climate change that cannot be avoided through mitigation or adaptation measures alone. These include the loss of life, the destruction of homes and infrastructure, and the displacement of entire communities. Despite their significant vulnerability, these nations often lack the resources to cope with such damages, making financial support a necessity for survival and resilience.
At COP 29, the voices of the most affected countries called for a more balanced approach to climate finance, one that recognizes the immediate and lasting damage they face. Rather than focusing solely on reducing future emissions or helping nations adjust, there is a growing push for wealthier nations to provide financial assistance to help developing countries recover from the present-day impacts of climate change. The emphasis is on fairness and equity, ensuring that those who have done the least to cause the climate crisis are not left behind when it comes to climate adaptation and recovery. The goal is simple: to create a climate finance system that truly serves the needs of vulnerable countries, helping them not only mitigate future risks but also recover and rebuild from the ongoing damage they are already facing.
"The Difference Between Life and Death"
Updated 15:10 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
At the High-Level Transforming Support for National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) session today, UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell emphasized the urgent need for increased funding to support climate adaptation efforts. He described adaptation as “the difference between life and death” for millions of people, stressing that inadequate financial support for resilience measures—such as flood defenses, heatwave plans, and water security—leaves vulnerable communities at risk.
“This year, we saw how every bit of preparation – every policy, every plan – is the difference between life and death for millions of people around the world. People, communities, nations want to act, to protect themselves and their loved ones, to strengthen their businesses and economies – but they do not have the means.And when nations can’t climate-proof their links in global supply chains, every nation in our interconnected global economy pays the price. I mean literally pays the price, in the form of higher inflation, especially in food prices, as savage droughts, wildfires and floods rip through food production. We must flip this script.[But] there is a stark financial gap we must bridge. Adaptation costs are skyrocketing for everyone, especially developing countries. Their costs could rise to $340 billion per year by 2030.It’s easy to become slightly anaesthetized by all these numbers, especially at this finance-focused COP. But let’s never allow ourselves to forget: these figures are the difference between safety and life-wrecking disasters for billions of people.Almost half the human population live in climate vulnerability hotspots, where people are 15 times more likely to die from climate impacts. Personally, I find that fact deeply disturbing, practically offensive in some ways. It certainly keeps me up at night, and I’m guessing it also does so for many of you.We can no longer rely on small streams of finance. We need torrents of funding. The funding exists. We need to unlock and unblock it.“
Stiell warned that the financial gap for adaptation is widening, with costs potentially reaching $340 billion annually by 2030, particularly for developing nations. He underscored the importance of unlocking substantial funding to address the growing crisis, highlighting that nearly half of the global population lives in areas highly vulnerable to climate impacts.
Azerbaijan Highlight Climate Initiatives but Delay Decarbonization Plan
Updated 15:00 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
Ministers from Azerbaijan, the host of COP29, held a press conference which ended a few minutes ago where they spent a whole lot of time highlighting various climate-related initiatives, including efforts to boost climate literacy, rank sustainable universities, and address climate-related health issues. While these initiatives were discussed, the highly anticipated announcement of a new decarbonization plan did not materialize.
It's worth noting that Azerbaijan is set for significant expansion of its fossil fuel production in the coming years. When questioned about the role of fossil fuels in climate change and its inclusion in school curricula, the Minister of Science and Education emphasized a focus on different types of carbon footprints and individual contributions to a greener future.
UN Chief Appeals for G20 Leadership as COP 29 Stalls
Updated 14:00 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
As the saying goes, we live in unique times. It is unprecedented for the G20 summit to coincide with a COP conference. With COP 29 in Baku deadlocked, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has turned to the G20 leaders gathered in Rio de Janeiro, urging them to step up and provide the leadership needed to break the impasse. Guterres called on the world's largest economies to show "leadership" and find common ground to secure a successful outcome at COP29.
Key sticking points at the climate talks include a $1 trillion climate investment deal for developing nations, with disagreements over the final amount, financing mechanisms, and donor responsibilities.
World leaders at the G20 summit have reiterated their commitment to addressing climate change. US President Joe Biden, who missed COP 29 but dropped by the Amazon rainforest a few hours ago, highlighted major climate financing initiatives, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa launched a campaign to accelerate renewable energy adoption in Africa. Chinese President Xi Jinping also called for enhanced international cooperation on climate action, with a particular focus on supporting developing nations.
Trump Appoints Fossil Fuel Advocate to Lead U.S. Department of Energy
Updated 12:30 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
Give Climate Warning ⚠️ to Donald Trump: Trump Appoints Fossil Fuel Advocate to Lead U.S. Department of Energy | We Don't Have Time
From COP 29 Live Blog - Former President & President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Chris Wright, a staunch oil and gas advocate, to head the U.S. Department of Energy. Wright, the CEO of Liberty Energy, is known for his strong defense of fossil fuels,
https://app.wedonthavetime.org/posts/bb087817-1c08-461e-9037-688ad9718d37
Negotiations at COP29 are already tense, with the U.S. playing a less major role than usual in the talks. This comes despite statements on Saturday from American climate and progress leaders, including Governors, who took to the stage to reassure the world that "America is not leaving" the climate fight.
However, Former President & President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Chris Wright, a staunch oil and gas advocate, to head the U.S. Department of Energy. Wright, the CEO of Liberty Energy, is known for his strong defense of fossil fuels, and his appointment signals a clear push to maximize oil and gas production "Drill, baby, drill!" at a time when the world is facing mounting pressure to reduce carbon emissions and shift away from fossil fuel dependency.
Australia's Fossil Fuel Expansion & COP 31 Bid
Updated 12:10 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
Give Climate Warning ⚠️ to Anthony Albanese: Australia Expands Fossil Fuel Industry While Bidding For COP 31 | We Don't Have Time
Australia plans to significantly expand its gas industry in Western Australia. This expansion could lead to a 125-fold increase in greenhouse gas emissions compared to their annual emissions. This comes as Australia, in partnership with Pacific nations,
https://app.wedonthavetime.org/posts/af433363-6531-4451-8dde-66879398666e
Tensions are rising between Australia and Pacific Island nations. Representatives from Vanuatu and Tuvalu have sharply criticized Australia's plans for a significant expansion of its gas industry in Western Australia. They argue that this expansion could lead to a 125-fold increase in greenhouse gas emissions compared to their annual emissions. This criticism comes as Australia, in partnership with Pacific nations, is lobbying to host COP 31 in 2026. While Pacific leaders have largely supported this bid, focusing on increased climate ambition and support for vulnerable nations, the contradiction between Australia's climate rhetoric and its fossil fuel expansion plans has raised serious concerns.
Vanuatu's climate envoy, Ralph Regenvanu, accused Australia of hypocrisy, stating that the country is "not acting in good faith" by promoting climate leadership while simultaneously approving new fossil fuel projects. Tuvalu's climate change minister, Maina Talia, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the incompatibility of such developments with the 1.5°C global warming limit.
Calls for Urgent Climate Finance Action
Updated 12:00 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
The Loss and Damage Collaboration has just published a plea to the COP 29 Presidency, urging for a robust and equitable new collective quantified goal on climate finance (NCQG). The group argues that developed countries bear a significant financial debt to developing nations due to historical emissions and ongoing climate impacts.
"...This week, you hold the future in your hands...The decisions you make this week have the power to set the world on a new trajectory towards a brighter future.."
In their open letter, the group emphasizes the need for an NCQG that:
- Aligns with the 1.5°C target: Ensures the world stays within the crucial temperature limit to avoid catastrophic climate change.
- Prioritizes developing countries' needs: Provides public funds exclusively for developing countries, adhering to the principles outlined in Article 9 of the Paris Agreement.
- Delivers substantial financial support: Allocates at least USD 1.3 trillion annually for mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage, primarily in the form of grants and highly concessional finance.
ANALYSIS: Unresolved Tensions and the Road Ahead
Updated 11:40 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
As the second week of COP 29 begins in Baku, the mood is tense. The first week was full of heated arguments, stalled negotiations, and major disagreements. Many observers are worried that this COP won't achieve anything significant.
One of the most significant and contentious debates was surprisingly over the agenda, which saw key issues such as the transition away from fossil fuels being sidelined by some parties, notably Saudi Arabia. The absence of major world leaders from the World Leaders Plenary—such as U.S. President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and French President Emmanuel Macron—further undermined the entire process.
As the talks progress into their second week, several critical issues remain unresolved, with climate finance at the forefront. The $100 billion annual climate finance target, a pledge made by developed countries to support developing nations in their climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, has been a major point of contention. While revisions to the finance text have been made, significant disagreements persist, particularly regarding the amount of finance to be mobilized and the mechanisms for its distribution.
The role of fossil fuels in the finance mechanism is another contentious issue. While some propose focusing on financing the transition to clean energy, others advocate for continued support for fossil fuel-based economies. The failure to incorporate the findings of the Global Stocktake (GST), which called for an accelerated energy transition, has further hindered progress. Developing countries, especially vulnerable nations, have expressed deep concern over the world's trajectory towards exceeding the 1.5°C warming limit.
The fragmented nature of the negotiations has compounded the challenges. Several crucial issues, including loss and damage and the mitigation work program, have been deferred to 2025, delaying critical action. Additionally, the just transition work program has stalled due to disagreements over social protections and gender equity within the transition.
In short, the next 48 hours is make or break for COP 29. Negotiators just have to bridge the divide and reach consensus on key issues to secure a meaningful agreement.
Good Morning!
Updated 11:00 GMT+4 – 18/11/24
Welcome to day 7 of our live coverage of COP 29. After yesterday’s break from talks and activities, we’re back live from Baku!
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Simon comments hit the nail on the head. Climate finance isn’t charity, it’s an investment in global stability!
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Hope to see some positive news on green finance tomorrow.
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This blog is really helpful in summarizing what’s happening at COP29. Big thanks!
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Looking forward to this weeks insights and dialogues
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Thank you for this blog. We need to listen to young voices and to address loss and damage if we want to get out of this decade with a manageable future.
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It's another anticipated day of cop 29 discussing issues partaining to youth,health and education -its my prayer that many of the youths today are going to learn more partaking to climate participation