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COP 29 Live Blog - 16th 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.



ANALYSIS: The First Week Ends on a Tense Note
Updated 02:00 GMT+4 – 17/11/24


Today is rest day in Baku, and the live blog will be taking a break until Monday. But the events of yesterday night, the final day of the first week of negotiations, left a lot to unpack. The closing of the Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) painted a stark picture of the progress—or lack thereof—achieved so far.

Several key issues have been deferred to June 2025, including the review of the Adaptation Committee, the 2024 review of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage, and discussions on the linkages between the Technology and Financial Mechanisms. Support for developing countries' reporting under the Convention and the Paris Agreement also remains unresolved.

One of the most heated debates of the day revolved around the mitigation work programme. Despite expectations that substantive agreement would be elusive in the first week, the negotiations failed to even capture the views exchanged during the sessions. The Paris Agreement's governing body will continue the discussions in the second week, but these will start from scratch. The crux of the issue centers on whether to incorporate the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake (GST), especially the calls for an accelerated energy transition. "There’s no agreement on the direction yet. It’s a blank slate for now," noted one delegate.

The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) voiced their concern about the consequences of overshooting the 1.5°C target. They highlighted the “real and devastating consequences,” including loss of life and destruction of livelihoods. Meanwhile, the African Group, Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs), and the Arab Group accused developed countries of pushing a “prescriptive, top-down” approach to mitigation that undermines the needs of developing nations. The tone was tense as the gap between expectations and reality seemed to widen.

Discussions on the just transition work programme ended in a similar stalemate, with no text forwarded to the second week. While some areas of negotiation made progress, including the finance goal, many of the texts remain riddled with brackets—signifying a lack of consensus on key issues. An observer, visibly frustrated, pointed out, "They bracketted a reference to addressing violence against women. It’s deeply disappointing."

As the Subsidiary Bodies closed late into the night, there were no customary closing statements from parties and observers. However, delegates took a moment to express gratitude to Nabeel Munir, the outgoing Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), and Harry Vreuls, the outgoing Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA). They urged parties to work toward common ground when negotiations resume on Monday. "The work is far from over, and the coming week will be critical," Vreuls said.

For now, the we all get a brief respite, but we will return on Monday to a packed agenda and a complex web of unresolved issues.

More Brackets, Same Old Fights
Updated 00:20 GMT+4 – 17/11/24


As Week 1, draws to a close, the new finance text has landed, but with more than 400 unresolved brackets still littering the document. These brackets—denoting areas of disagreement—highlight that key disputes over how much finance to mobilize, and from whom, remain unchanged. While negotiators were hoping for a breakthrough on climate finance, the text has essentially moved very little, despite the intense discussions.

One of the more interesting aspects of the new finance text is that it continues to echo language from COP28, particularly around fossil fuels. The proposed paragraphs on finance emphasize the need to transition away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy. For instance, one paragraph proposes that finance should "support the clean energy transition and the transition away from fossil fuel finance," while another stresses that finance should be aligned with a "just, orderly, and equitable" shift, in line with net-zero targets by 2050.

However, the text still leaves key questions unanswered: how much finance will be allocated to this transition, and which countries will bear the burden?

"The text looks similar to last year’s,...but the brackets are still everywhere—indicating that we’re stuck in the same old debates."

Talks on other critical issues, such as carrying forward last year’s stocktake and the fossil fuel text, have also stalled. There’s no sign of a “cover text” to address the stocktake or fossil fuels either, despite hopes it would emerge by now. Without a cover text, negotiators are left juggling informal notes and draft proposals, none of which have formal status or are agreed upon.

“The finance text has too many caveats,..."There’s no real movement on the core issues, and the informal nature of many texts only adds to the uncertainty."

The UAE dialogue, intended to address these gaps, remains in its infancy. It's still an informal note, filled with bullet points and disclaimers, without any proper legal text or concrete proposals. Best put: “There’s no real legal substance to it yet, and it’s unclear where this track will end up.”

With all the back-and-forth, it's clear that negotiators are no closer to resolving these core issues. "A cover text could be the only way to move forward,...but there’s little indication that the presidency has the bandwidth to take this on."

As week 1 wraps up, one thing is clear: The road to COP 29's key outcomes is still very much under construction. And with so many unresolved brackets, the real work still lies ahead. The next week is about to be very long.


Tensions Rise as Week One Draws to a Close
Updated 12:55 GMT+4 – 16/11/24



As COP 29 closes its first week, the atmosphere during the closing plenary of the Subsidiary Bodies was tense. A mounting list of agenda items looks set to close without meaningful outcomes.

During the plenary, parties traded accusations of "holding agenda items hostage," a phrase that reflects the deepening frustration within the negotiating rooms. Observers warn that this behavior risks not only delaying progress on critical climate issues but also undermines the trust and unity necessary for a successful outcome.

The key sticking point in the subsidiary bodies negotiations is the mitigation work programme, with delegates struggling to agree on how to integrate the mitigation-related outcomes from the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement. As expected, consensus on this critical issue remains elusive, and discussions are ongoing about how best to capture these outcomes in a way that drives future ambition and action.

With the clock ticking, the growing divide between Parties leaves many questioning whether COP 29 will be able to build on previous successes or whether the momentum for meaningful climate action will falter in the face of political gridlock.

Can the World Rely on China to Lead the Energy Transition?
Updated 17:09 GMT+4 – 16/11/24


At COP29, China’s role as both the world’s largest carbon emitter and leading producer of clean energy technologies has come under scrutiny. While its dominance in renewable energy manufacturing—like solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles—is unmatched, questions remain about whether its domestic coal reliance undercuts its potential to guide the global energy transition effectively.

Here, Article 6 of the Paris Agreement offers a complementary framework to bridge this gap. By leveraging international carbon markets, China could offset its emissions while providing critical support for other countries to meet their reduction targets. This would not only enhance global collaboration but also ensure that China's leadership in clean technology aligns with its emission-reduction responsibilities.

The challenge lies in fostering equitable and transparent cooperation under Article 6. Could China expand its influence by becoming a hub for emissions trading, enabling countries to benefit from its clean energy capacity while addressing domestic emissions? Such a move could transform China into a true leader in global climate governance. However, the success of this strategy hinges on robust international collaboration, ensuring that reliance on China does not create imbalances or vulnerabilities in the global energy landscape.

Negotiations Heat Up
Updated 16:30 GMT+4 – 16/11/24

As the clock ticks down on the final day of the first week of COP 29, negotiations have intensified behind closed doors. Delegates are grappling with a host of critical issues, including the new finance goal, gender, and just transition.

The major point of contention remains the new finance goal. While significant progress has been made, negotiators are still working to bridge the gap between developed and developing countries on the scale and scope of climate finance. To make headway on the new finance goal, discussions on other finance issues, such as climate debt and loss and damage, have been temporarily postponed.

Negotiators are increasingly resorting to informal consultations and even more informal "informal informal consultations" to find common ground on these complex issues. These off-the-record discussions allow for more flexibility and creative problem-solving.

The Ticking Time Bomb: Fossil Fuels and Human Health
Updated 14:30 GMT+4 – 16/11/24

Earlier today, the @Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative held a press conference with a panel of experts, including Dr. Maria Neira of the World Health Organization (WHO), Susan Muhamad, Minister of Environment of Colombia, Biman Prasad, Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, and climate justice advocates Jwala Rambaran, Tzeporah, and Harjeet Singh.

The panel emphasized the urgent need to address the climate crisis and the role of fossil fuels in exacerbating the issue. Tzeporah from the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative highlighted the alarming increase in fossil fuel emissions, stating, "Scientific reports released here at COP 29, show that Fossil Fuel emissions are projected to be about 8% higher than in 2015 when the Paris Agreement was signed, and that 2024 is set to be the hottest on record."

Dr. Maria Neira from the WHO drew attention to the health implications of the climate crisis, saying, "The Climate Crisis is also a Health Crisis. It is affecting our health in a very serious and dramatic way. The cost of this Climate Crisis is already paid by our lungs." She further emphasized the link between fossil fuel combustion and air pollution, which leads to millions of premature deaths annually.

Susan Muhamad, Minister of Environment of Colombia, expressed her support for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, stating, "This [Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation] Treaty is to help achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and complement the UNFCCC process."

Addressing the Shortfall in Loss and Damage Financing
Updated 13:40 GMT+4 – 16/11/24



A stark contrast has emerged in the climate finance discussions, highlighting the deep imbalance between the funds pledged for addressing Loss and Damage and the urgent needs of the Global South. As it stands, pledges to the fund aimed at responding to climate-induced Loss and Damage total just US$ 720 million. This amount falls drastically short of the US$ 400 billion needed annually to support vulnerable communities in the Global South, who are bearing the brunt of climate change impacts. To add perspective, in 2023, global fossil fuel profits reached a staggering US$ 2.4 trillion.

However, there is hope on the horizon as negotiators continue to work on the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG). One key element being discussed is the establishment of a dedicated sub-goal within the NCQG, aimed at raising US$ 768 billion annually for addressing Loss and Damage. This sub-goal could significantly bolster the Fund and provide the financial resources needed to close the gap.

The proposed sub-goal would also enhance support for the Santiago Network, a crucial mechanism for technical assistance. This would empower Global South nations and communities to assess their specific needs, access funding, and develop robust recovery and resilience plans in the face of mounting climate challenges.

Loss and Damage Takes Center Stage
Updated 12:40 GMT+4 – 16/11/24


As negotiations on the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) continue, the Loss and Damage Collaboration (L&DC) has outlined its key demands. In the backrooms, the group is pushing for a dedicated Loss and Damage subgoal within the NCQG, emphasizing the urgent need for a reliable funding mechanism to address the devastating impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable developing countries.

The L&DC is calling for an NCQG that:
- Prioritizes the 1.5°C goal: Ensures adequate funding for a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.
- Centers the needs of developing countries: Prioritizes the specific needs and priorities of vulnerable nations.
- Delivers substantial financial commitments: Provides at least US$6.88 trillion annually, with a significant portion allocated as grants and highly concessional loans.
- Includes specific subgoals for key areas: Allocates dedicated funding for mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage, with a specific target of US$724.43 billion per year for loss and damage.
These demands reflect the growing urgency of the climate crisis and the need for substantial financial support to help vulnerable communities recover from climate-related disasters and build resilience. As negotiations progress, it remains to be seen whether these demands will be met and whether a robust NCQG can be agreed upon to address the global climate challenge.

Informal Talks Continue on Finance Goal
Updated 11:20 GMT+4 – 16/11/24



The discussions around the new finance goal continued today in informal sessions. We are noting some progress, particularly regarding access to finance. While there has been forward movement, there is still much work to be done. The aim is to refine the language and framework of the finance goal to ensure it is more accessible to developing countries that need it most.

The talks will continue in this informal format, with the goal of preparing a revised draft text to be presented to the COP 29 Presidency ahead of the stocktaking plenary scheduled for 5:00 pm. This process is key for moving forward in the negotiations. Meanwhile, there's a temporary disruption to the official COP 29 schedule, which has caused some confusion among delegates.

Yesterday In the Negotiation Rooms
Updated 11:10 GMT+4 – 16/11/24



Yesterday, negotiators were working hard to make progress on key issues, especially those that need to be settled before the Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) close. These discussions were important because they focused on topics that won’t be addressed in the second week of the Conference of the Parties (COP). Some progress was made, such as reaching agreements on the reporting tools for the Paris Agreement's transparency framework and the formal arrangements with the Board of the new Loss and Damage Fund.

However, many issues still didn't find agreement. One of the biggest challenges was linking the Technology Mechanism with the Finance Mechanism, which is now pushed for further consideration in six months. The second review of the Standing Committee on Finance will also be delayed for another year. Delegates from various countries called on the SB Chairs to find a way forward to avoid these delays from continuing in the future.

Adaptation discussions were especially difficult. There were heated debates over how to support the least developed countries, which are facing urgent challenges. Disagreements over the role of the governing bodies of the Convention and the Paris Agreement were holding things up. These talks focused on procedural and principle issues, making it hard to reach a consensus.

In the evening, delegates received an update on the negotiations for a new finance goal. While the draft text had been shortened by ten pages, there was still a lot to be worked out. Parties were invited to continue discussions through the night, with the room booked until 7:00 am this morning.

Good Morning!
Updated 10:55 GMT+4 – 16/11/24


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Hope something good comes out of all these great minds.
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With so many key players in one place, there’s a real opportunity for progress.
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I have some technical issues.
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Great work with live blog! Hats off 🎩 to everyone involved.