Baku talks heat up: New climate finance deal, urban challenges in COP29 spotlight
The source of the hundreds of billions, if not trillions, of funds that developing countries say will be needed to adapt to a rapidly changing climate – governments, multilateral banks or the private sector – has become a highly controversial topic in recent times. eight days.
The good and the bad about the city
Meanwhile, far away COP29 negotiations, the urgent need to cut emissions, adapt to climate change, lessen the impact of crises and protect people from catastrophic weather events are among the themes in numerous speeches by government officials, heads of United Nations organizations, climate experts and leaders of civil society.
Home to half the world’s population, with around 2.4 billion people expected to move to urban areas over the next 20 years, cities contribute significantly to global emissions At the same time, it is also disproportionately affected by climate change.
In its latest version World city report, UN-Habitatthe United Nations agency that addresses human settlements and sustainable urban development, said billions of people currently living in cities could experience an additional temperature increase of at least zero, 5 degrees Celsius by 2040.
At the same time, measures to offset the impacts of climate change on urban populations remain inadequate to the scale and intensity of the challenges facing cities.
Speaking at the ministerial meeting at COP29 today, Anaclaudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, warned that rapid and unplanned urban development poses a threat to biodiversity education, environment and food security.
This also leads to social fragmentation and financial decline. While the construction sector accounts for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, the UN-Habitat chief said 96 homes need to be built every day to meet UN targets. Sustainable development goals by 2030.
Therefore, adequate funding and cooperation at all levels is needed to address these dual challenges.
Ms. Rossbach emphasized: “There is only one path to pursue, a path that we walk together, where social, urban and climate needs are harmoniously addressed on an economic basis. solid economy”.
She added: “Yes, we need more financial resources flowing into cities. We need to plan and prioritize. Land is scarce and needs to fulfill social and ecological functions. The social and housing needs are huge.”
“We take care of people; people take care of the planet. And we should leave no one behind,” she concluded.
Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, speaks at the Ministerial meeting on urbanization and climate change, at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Emissions increased
In a separate session today, speakers noted an ongoing problem that could seriously hamper many efforts to address climate impacts in cities and elsewhere.
According to the latest report of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), global emissions are set to rise by 1.3% by 2023 – at a time when they should be falling.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said: “To limit warming to 1.5°C, the Updated National Contributions – the climate commitments each country makes – will reduce warming by 42%. greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 57% by 2035”.
She emphasized that 52% of total greenhouse gas emissions come from just 25 megacities, including Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Moscow and New York City.
“This means the actions you take in setting standards for energy efficiency, identifying energy sources, managing waste and methane emissions,” she told mayors from around the world. Improving public transport, encouraging electric mobility and promoting pedestrian-friendly cities can have a big impact.” The world gathered at this event.
Tourism and climate change
For the first time, the issue of tourism was discussed at COP, officially the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in the context of its impact on climate.
In 2023, the tourism industry recovers after a gloomy period COVID-19 pandemic, when international tourist arrivals rebounded to nearly 90% of pre-pandemic levels. That year, the sector contributed 3% to global gross domestic product (GDP), amounting to $3.3 trillion and employing 1 in 10 people worldwide.
In an interview with UNFeedMs Andersen reiterated her call to stakeholders at COP29 to ensure the tourism sector reduces its carbon emissions.
“We need to understand that the tourism industry is affected by climate change. And so, it is both a victim and a cause of climate change. That is why focusing on tourism first at COP is so important.”
Renewable energy conversion
Meanwhile, Selwyn Hart, Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General on Climate Action, reminded COP29 attendees that humanity already has the knowledge and tools needed to fight climate change. climate change effectively.
“A revolution in the transition to renewable energy is underway. It can’t be stopped,” he said.
“However, the question remains whether the pace of this transition will prevent its worst consequences. And second, is it fair enough to reduce inequality within and between countries.”
The negotiating teams at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, pictured here during a break in the talks, are working to reach agreement on a new climate financing deal.
Is a breakthrough at COP29 possible?
The outcome of the negotiations in Baku will provide answers to some of these questions.
Central to the Baku talks is agreeing a new climate finance target that provides countries – especially the most vulnerable – with the means to take strong action more about climate. At stake are trillions of dollars that developing countries need to mitigate the impacts of climate change and adapt to rapidly changing conditions.
According to UNEP, Cedric Schuster, president of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), announced yesterday that “the top priority is a minimum allocation to small island developing states of $39 billion a year and at least 220 billion USD a year.” developed countries, both in terms of equivalent funding. Any [outcome] Documents that do not include these aspects will not be accepted by these groups.”
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh Abdulai, highlighted concerns shared by many developing countries, specifically the form of this money.
“Don’t use the word ‘sponsor,’” he said Tuesday. “That implies charity. There is a climate debt that needs to be paid. We are talking about lives and livelihoods. Our people are paying the price with their lives.”
Discussions also addressed the definition of a ‘developing country’. Some negotiators have argued that countries such as China or some Gulf states no longer belong to this group, as their economies have grown since the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change in 1992.
Cecilia Kinuthia-Njenga, Director of the Department of Intergovernmental Support and Collective Advancement of UNFCCCnoted that every delegation coming to COP29 brings with it its aspirations and hopes.
“In multilateralism, the results are sometimes different from what a country imagines. This emphasizes the importance of flexibility, cooperation and readiness to adapt to changing circumstances and international relations,” she said.
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