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COP29 Live Blog
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COP 29 Live Blog - 20th 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's Negotiations in Summary
Updated 07:00 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
The negotiations saw a mixed bag of progress and challenges on Wednesday. While some cooperative advancements were noted in implementing the Paris Agreement's Article 6, significant divisions persisted over the crucial issue of a new finance goal.
Developing countries expressed dissatisfaction with proposed public finance figures, deeming them insufficient to address adaptation needs, particularly for vulnerable nations like small island developing states and least developed countries.
Negotiators continued technical consultations to refine draft texts, which are expected to be released early this Thursday morning. A single-setting session is scheduled to follow, where parties will convene to discuss and potentially finalize the texts.
Climate Finance Showdown
Updated 21:40 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
As negotiations led by Australia's Chris Bowen and Egypt's Yasmine Fouad intensify behind closed doors, stark differences in climate finance demands are emerging. Developing nations are pressing for substantial financial support to address the impacts of climate change, while developed countries are proposing more modest figures.
Proposals vary widely, ranging from $900 billion to $440 billion in grants, or a $100 billion baseline tied to expanding the contributor base to include countries like China and Saudi Arabia. Developing countries, on the other hand, are seeking up to $1.3 trillion in climate finance, encompassing grants, loans, and private investments.
Key Figures in the Climate Finance Debate
- $1.3 trillion: The ambitious target set by developing nations for global climate finance mobilization.
- $900 billion, $600 billion, $440 billion: Varying proposals for the quantum of grant-based climate finance.
- $100 billion: A minimum floor proposed by some countries, linked to expanding the contributor base.
Divisions and Demands
Developing nations are advocating for a significant portion of this finance to be in the form of grants, not loans. Groups like the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are calling for $220 billion annually, while the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) is seeking $39 billion. In contrast, developed nations are prioritizing broadening the contributor base and increasing private sector involvement before committing to specific figures.
Women Demand Gender-Responsive Climate Finance
Updated 19:50 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
Mwanahamisi Singano, speaking on behalf of the Women and Gender Constituency, highlighted the intersection of the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and systemic patriarchy as key drivers of gender injustice.
Singano called on negotiators to integrate gender considerations into the new climate finance goal, stressing that “feminists have long pushed for climate finance that is both gender-just and responsive to the needs of the most vulnerable.”
She pointed out that women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate change, facing higher risks of displacement, violence, and death from extreme weather events. Despite this, their needs are often ignored in climate policies.
“Climate finance that fails to account for gender and human rights is ineffective,” Singano stated. “Without gender justice, there will be no climate justice.”
Developing Nations Firm on Climate Finance Demands
Updated 19:00 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
As the clock ticks toward the release of the much-awaited draft texts tonight, developing country ministers are firming up their positions on climate finance. In a recent press briefing, Adonia Ayebare from Uganda, representing the G77 and China, Ali Mohamed from Kenya, speaking for the African group, and Diego Pacheco from Bolivia, representing like-minded developing nations, made their voices heard.
Asked about the proposed $200bn climate finance target in the draft, both Pacheco and Ayebare expressed disbelief, with Ayebare remarking, "Is this a joke?" This response follows reports that the EU is pushing for a target of $200-$300bn in annual climate finance for poorer nations by 2035. In contrast, developing countries are demanding a much larger sum—well over $1 trillion annually.
The ministers remained tight-lipped about their next steps, reiterating the call for developed nations to honor their financial commitments under the Paris Agreement. More clarity will emerge tomorrow when the draft texts are released and ministers have had time to review the proposals.
CABI’s Approach to Tackling Climate Change and Agricultural Challenges
Updated 17:52 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
Dr. Dennis Rengi, the Director General of CABI International, demonstrated the organization's century-long efforts in trying to address the impacts of climate change on agriculture. Therefore, CABI focuses on nature-based solutions for the control of pests, diseases, and invasive species, which are expected to worsen due to climate change. By ensuring integrated pest management without depending on harmful chemicals, CABI promotes sustainable farming practices, particularly in smallholder farmers in developing economies. The PRIS uses climate data to predict pest outbreaks and prevent them in Sub-Saharan Africa, offering transformative support to farmers.
Besides controlling pests and diseases, CABI trains rural women and youth to develop the much-needed resilience among vulnerable groups and to improve food chains. A community-centric, integrated approach tackles global food security challenges using nature-based solutions with a digital turn-key. This work by CABI shows that agriculture can adapt and flourish under the growing pressures of climate change and acts as a model for sustainable agricultural development.
Nature-Based Solutions at ASEAN Shine at COP29
Updated 17:20 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
At COP29, Theresa Mundita, Acting Executive Director of ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, showed the world with strong words that nature and biodiversity are some of the key tools in the fight against climate change.
Representing one of the world's most biodiverse yet vulnerable regions, Mundita has highlighted various initiatives like ASEAN Heritage Parks and ASEAN Green Initiative as proof that natural solutions can reduce climate impacts and protect livelihoods.
However, she underscored that financial support has to be more urgent to meet global goals such as the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Framework. "In a disaster-prone region, nature isn't just a victim, it's a solution," Mundita said.
ASEAN's call is clear: collaborate, fund, and act to address the interconnected crises of climate and biodiversity.
Bridging the Gap: A Call for Action on Adaptation Finance
Updated 17:00 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
Lucas di Pietro, Chair of the Adaptation Fund Board, made a compelling call to action, noting the pressing need to close the widening adaptation finance gap. For the past 17 years, the Adaptation Fund has supported more than 45 million persons across 110 nations, spearheading locally led adaptation initiatives and direct funding access for the most vulnerable.
Notwithstanding this progress, the fund faces a critical shortfall, with its 2024 resource mobilization target still far from being attained. While voluntary contributions in the recent past are welcome, these remain inadequate to face fully the rising impacts of climate change. With mechanisms such as Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement yet to be fully operationalized, the fund continues to rely heavily on public, grant-based financing to empower communities on the front lines.
Di Pietro issued a stark warning: the cost of inaction will be far greater than the investment needed now. Doubling adaptation finance is not just ambition; it is an urgent necessity to prevent irreversible loss and damage, escalating risks for populations. At COP29, there is a critical window for scaling up public adaptation finance by governments to make the future more resilient for those most vulnerable to the climate crisis.
Climate Action at COP 29: Tourism, Transportation, and Urban Sustainability
Updated 16:10 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
Today, leaders emphasized the integration of sustainable practices in tourism and transportation to combat climate change. Tourism, contributing 3% to global GDP and 8.8% to emissions, faces the dual challenge of adapting to climate impacts while reducing its footprint. The launch of initiatives like the Tobacco Declaration and the Glasgow Declaration underscores the sector's potential to lead climate solutions. With over 1.3 billion international travelers annually, collaborative efforts, such as Azerbaijan's promotion of low-carbon, climate-resilient tourism models, demonstrate the industry's role in achieving broader climate goals.
Transportation also took center stage, with Azerbaijan showcasing bold steps to reduce emissions by 35% by 2030. Initiatives in Baku, including expanding electric buses, cycling infrastructure, and digital innovations like a "digital twin" of the city, reflect their commitment to green urban transport. These measures, alongside international collaboration to optimize the Middle Corridor, highlight the role of innovation and technology in advancing climate action. Together, these efforts exemplify how tourism and transportation can drive sustainable progress toward a climate-resilient future.
Calls to Oust Azerbaijan's President from Talks
Updated 15:40 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
As negotiations continue to face various hurdles, former French envoy and COP 28 adviser, Paul Watkinson, has publicly advocated for the exclusion of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev from the talks. Watkinson draws parallels with the UK's strategy at COP26 in Glasgow, where then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson was absent during the crucial second week of negotiations. The move, according to Watkinson, could create a more conducive environment for productive dialogue and compromise.
Key Insights from Lead Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev’s Address
Updated 15:10 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
As COP29 continues, the focus sharpens on bridging differences and advancing collective climate action. In his address, Yalchin Rafiyev highlighted significant progress, including Australia’s $32.5 million contribution to the Loss and Damage Fund and the U.S.’s $325 million pledge to the Green Technology Fund. These financial commitments are vital for supporting vulnerable nations and scaling up green technologies. However, Rafiyev acknowledged that the road ahead remains challenging. The hardest phase of negotiations is now upon the delegates, as they work through complex issues such as the Collective Quantified Goal, the Just Transition Work Program, and the Global Goal on Adaptation. These texts, expected to be released later in the evening, will set the tone for the discussions ahead, but they are far from final and will require further input and adjustment.
Rafiyev stressed the importance of an inclusive, intensive process where parties must come together to confront divergent views and find common ground. This phase of COP29 will require more than financial pledges; it demands a deep commitment to tackling the difficult conversations on mitigation, adaptation, and fairness. The urgency is clear, as President Lula of Brazil reminded the negotiators not to postpone today's critical decisions. While the draft texts are expected to offer a balanced set of options, the real test lies in whether negotiators can push past entrenched positions and agree on solutions that can guide the future of the Paris Agreement. The decisions made in Baku will shape the climate landscape for years to come, and Rafiyev’s call for decisive action couldn’t be more timely.
Salahuddin Ibrahim: Localizing Solutions for Africa's Climate Challenges
Updated 14:50 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
Salahuddin Ibrahim from Nigeria delivered a compelling call for greater investment in local solutions to address climate challenges in Africa. She emphasized the need for governments to play a more proactive role, as development organizations often operate through official channels, leaving minimal resources for direct community impact.
Key Points:
1. Investing in Local Research: Ibrahim stressed the importance of funding research tailored to Africa’s unique contexts, such as developing seeds suited to local soils instead of relying on imports from countries like Israel or the Netherlands.
2. Renewable Energy Production: She highlighted the need for local manufacturing of renewable energy solutions, such as solar-powered systems, to make them affordable for smallholder farmers and climate innovators.
3. Capacity Building: Training programs should be scaled up and decentralized to rural areas, where most food is produced. Such programs must connect participants to financing and markets to ensure long-term impact.
4. Agricultural Insurance: Ibrahim urged more attention to agricultural insurance, a sector that is often overlooked despite its critical importance to food security and livelihoods.
5. Leveraging Existing Innovations: She questioned the reliance on foreign experts when local innovators are already developing climate-smart solutions. Sharing and scaling these local successes should be prioritized.
6. Sharing Best Practices: Ibrahim applauded platforms like ICWA for showcasing effective projects, such as using sorghum as a food staple in Pakistan. She encouraged creating localized solutions that communities can adopt and expand.
Ibrahim concluded by emphasizing that sustainable change must be rooted in local communities and driven by their unique knowledge and needs.
Abdulbaki Ahmad Showcases Youth-Led Climate Adaptation Initiatives at COP29
Updated 14:10 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
Abdulbaki Ahmad, a Nigerian climate mobility delegate, shared impactful youth-led initiatives addressing climate challenges. Representing the Global Center for Climate Mobility and the Center for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate Change, he highlighted his work in establishing the Agricultural Performance Center in Bauchi State. Funded by the French Embassy in 2022, the center trains women and people with disabilities in sustainable agricultural practices, equipping over 500 participants with skills like home gardening and crop cultivation, along with resources and mentorship, in partnership with the Association of Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
Bahama emphasized the critical role of youth in driving climate solutions, linking his efforts to his leadership as a Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State. He stressed that young people are not just raising awareness but building systems to empower vulnerable communities, addressing poverty, gender inequality, and climate adaptation. He called for sustained support and partnerships to amplify these efforts and ensure long-term resilience for those most affected by climate crises.
Key COP 29 Texts to be Released Tonight
Updated 14:50 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
Yalchin Rafiyev, the lead negotiator for the COP 29 presidency, has just confirmed that key draft texts on climate finance, emissions mitigation, adaptation, and national climate pledges (NDCs) are to be released at midnight Baku time tonight. Rafiyev says that these texts will be more streamlined and concise compared to earlier drafts, which included numerous contrasting proposals.
The goal now is to narrow down options and reach clearer, more focused agreements. Notably, there will be no "cover text" this year, as efforts are concentrated on securing deals within the main negotiation strands, avoiding new political battles between countries. As the clock ticks down, negotiators are focused on finalizing key elements to push toward a deal.
Baku Harmoniya Initiative Launched to Empower Farmers
Updated 12:40 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
Yesterday, which is the Food, Agriculture, and Water Day at COP 29 kicked off with the launch of the Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers, a collaborative effort between the COP29 Presidency and the FAO. COP 29 President Mukhtar Babayev opened the session, emphasizing the significance of Azerbaijan’s agrifood sector. The Harmoniya Initiative aims to build on previous efforts such as COP 27's FAST Partnership and COP 28’s UAE Declaration, accelerating the transformation of agriculture and food systems.
Key speakers included:
- Majnun Mammadov, Minister of Agriculture, Azerbaijan, who highlighted the vulnerability of farmers to climate impacts, particularly water scarcity.
- Viorel Gutu, Assistant Director-General of FAO, who underscored the critical links between climate change, food security, and agrifood systems.
- Shobha Shetty, Global Director, Agriculture and Food Global Practice at the World Bank, stressed the need for increased investments in the sector, noting that less than 5% of private finance currently goes to agriculture.
- Jemimah Njuki, of UN Women, pointed to the central role of women in agriculture, while also noting their continued exclusion from financial resources and markets.
- Andrea Porro, Secretary General of World Farmers Organisation, advocated for placing farmers at the center of agrifood system transformation.
- Fernando Mattos Costa, Minister of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries of Uruguay, presented Uruguay’s strategies for enhancing vulnerable groups in food production, as outlined in the country’s NDC.
- Claudia Müller, from Germany, voiced support for the Harmoniya Initiative and FAST Partnership, encouraging data integration and knowledge-sharing among farmers.
- Paul Gulleik Larsen, of Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced Norway’s NOK 5 billion contribution to the World Bank’s IDA, focusing on adaptation and food security in vulnerable countries.
- Prosper Dodiko, Burundi’s Minister of Environment, Agriculture, and Livestock, shared Burundi’s commitment to the initiative, including innovations like watershed development and youth-focused programs.
- Asozoda Nurali Mahmadullo, from Tajikistan, discussed the escalating climate impacts on agrifood systems, such as rising temperatures and reduced water availability
Green Construction and Urban Climate Action at COP29
Updated 12:55 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
The COP29 High-Level Roundtable on Green Construction, Energy Efficiency, and Climate Resilience in Cities highlighted practical steps to transform ambition into action. The discussion emphasized improving energy efficiency in buildings, strengthening urban resilience, and implementing Early Warning Systems to protect cities from climate risks. These efforts aim to address the critical role of the construction and urban sectors in combating climate change.
Organized by the COP29 Presidency and Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, the event brought together key partners, including UNEP, UN-Habitat, and IFC. This collaboration underscores the importance of joint efforts to create sustainable, resilient urban spaces that can adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Alliance Urges Greater Climate Finance for Food Systems
Updated 12:25 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
The Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation has called on governments and financial institutions at COP29 to significantly increase climate finance for food systems, which are crucial for both climate resilience and food security. In a ministerial statement released today, co-chairs Brazil, Norway, and Sierra Leone highlighted the need for $500 billion annually to transform global food systems, pointing out that they currently receive only 3.4% of total climate finance. The alliance also showcased progress from member countries, including Brazil’s sustainable agroforestry program and Cambodia’s expansion of agricultural cooperatives. Tanzania has announced it will join the alliance, strengthening the push for more equitable, climate-resilient food systems.
Argentina to Remain in Paris Agreement After Leaving COP 29
Updated 12:20 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
This morning, Argentina’s foreign minister Gerardo Werthein confirmed that the country will still remain part of the Paris Agreement. This follows concerns that Argentina, under climate-skeptic president Javier Milei, might withdraw after pulling its delegates from the COP 29 talks earlier in the week.
In an exclusive interview with El Observador, FM Werthein clarified that while Argentina had been reassessing its stance due to disagreements with certain aspects of the Paris deal, it will not be leaving the accord. This comes after rumors that Milei might formally announce a withdrawal, especially following his recent meeting with Donald Trump.
Yesterday in Summary
Updated 12:10 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
Yesterday, Day 8, saw continued frustration as negotiators struggled to break through the impasse. Despite various high-level discussions and technical huddles, there were no major breakthroughs on key issues like climate finance, national adaptation plans, and the future of the Paris Agreement.
Notably, Saudi Arabia continued to block progress on key proposals, particularly those aimed at accelerating the transition from fossil fuels. Meanwhile, momentum was building in support of small island and least developed countries, with AOSIS and Fiji stressing the need for dedicated financing to tackle climate impacts.
In a glimmer of hope, new coalitions formed, including one to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, with the UK, New Zealand, and Colombia joining forces. But the overriding sentiment remained one of frustration as negotiators face the ‘valley of death’ in talks.
Good Morning!
Updated 11:50 GMT+4 – 20/11/24
Welcome to day 9 of our live coverage of COP 29. The theme of today in Baku is Food, Agriculture & Water.
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Closing the adaptation finance gap is non-negotiable. Failure to act will deepen vulnerabilities worldwide
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L'agriculture et la production agricole subissent plus l'impact du changement climatique. Les parties n'ont qu'à se réunir pour confronter leurs points de vue divergents et trouver un terrain d'entente. Nous observons la souffrance des petites entreprises, des producteurs agricoles, des agriculteurs et éleveurs pendant les pluies diluviennes et la sécheresse. Nous croyons fermement qu'il est grand temps de passer à l'énergie propre.👌