2024-11-12 18:58:00
November 12, 2024
19:58
A week after the re-election of a climate-sceptical American president, the COP29 leaders’ summit is marked by calls for international cooperation for the climate.
The first international summit since the re-election of Donald Trump was held in Baku, on Tuesday and Wednesday: to kick off COP29, dozens of heads of state and government took the podium, in the Nizami room, which hosts the plenary sessions of the climate conference in the stadium of the capital of Azerbaijan.
A week before this “leaders’ summit”, the Americans had decided to bring to the White House a man who advocates further encouraging the extraction of shale oil and gas. The conference being hosted by a country which derives most of its revenue from the sale of hydrocarbons, this summit was opened with a speech resonating with that of Trump: Azeri presidentIlham Aliyev, a once again presented fossil fuels as “a gift from the gods”. A year after nations agreed at COP28 to gradually move away from it, the autocrat defended the right to extract more, indicating in passing that the European Union had asked him to increase his deliveries.
The survival instinct
“Some are going backwards, investing in oil, deregulating so the rich can get richer, knowing it will lead to disaster for all of us.”
This speech will have contrasted with vibrant calls to accelerate the decarbonization of economies. “The time for half-measures is over,” pleaded the president of Zimbabwe, whose country is experiencing one of the worst droughts in its history. “Climate change has contributed to the deaths of more than 220 of my compatriots”underlined Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, while the Valencia region has just been hit by devastating rainfall, on a scale never before recorded. The Spaniard denounced the fact that governments could hesitate and slow down in their decarbonization efforts, pointing, without mentioning them, a disapproving finger towards the United States: “Some are going backwards, investing in oil, deregulating so that rich can get richer, knowing that this will lead to disaster for us all.”
On behalf of the European Council, Charles Michel called for “choosing the survival instinct rather than collective suicide” to which the continuation of “the war” that the human species is waging against nature would lead.. Also responding implicitly to the arrival of a Donald Trump who despises rules and institutions, Michel underlined that “the European Union deeply believes in a world and an order based on rules: the force of law and not the law of force.
The financing battle
“Current public financial commitments are not enough, so we need to consider taxes.”
For many countries, the magnitude of possible climate action depends largely on external financial resources. While the amounts mobilized by developed economies ($116 billion in 2022) are far from meeting the scale of the problem to be solved, COP29 must agree on a new annual financing objective. Which countries will they agree to mobilize how many billions of dollars per year for the benefit of which other countries? The question remains unanswered while, according to the OECD, the center for economic studies of developed countries, the annual climate financing needs in developing countries would be between 550 and 2,500 billion dollars from 2030.
At the podium, the influential Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, saw only one way out of squaring the circle: taxation. “Current public financial commitments are not enough, we must therefore consider taxes”, on maritime transport, aviation, hydrocarbon extraction, to release resources on a scale.
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**Interview with Climate Policy Expert Dr. Emma Green regarding COP29’s Highlights and Challenges**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Green, we’ve just seen the opening of COP29 against a backdrop of political unpredictability, specifically the re-election of President Trump, who is known for his climate skepticism. How does this affect the international dialogue on climate action at the summit?
**Dr. Green:** The re-election of a climate-skeptical leader like Trump certainly creates a challenging environment for global climate negotiations. Many countries are feeling anxious. The leaders at COP29 are calling for unity and stronger international cooperation, even as the U.S. may not support ambitious climate initiatives under its current administration.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned there are calls for international cooperation despite these challenges. Can you elaborate on some specific proposals or sentiments expressed by the leaders at COP29?
**Dr. Green:** Absolutely. Many leaders, including Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain, have emphasized the urgent need to accelerate decarbonization efforts. Sanchez highlighted the severe impacts of climate change in his own country, pointing to recent devastating rainfall and droughts. We also heard powerful statements from leaders like Charles Michel of the European Council, advocating for a collective commitment to “survival instinct” over what he termed “collective suicide.” This shows a strong desire to move forward, even in the face of obstruction.
**Interviewer:** How is the host country, Azerbaijan, positioning itself in this climate discourse, particularly given its economic reliance on fossil fuels?
**Dr. Green:** Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev framed fossil fuels as a “gift from the gods,” emphasizing the economic benefits of hydrocarbon extraction. This stance starkly contrasts with the commitments made at COP28 to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. It underscores the tension at the summit, as countries reliant on oil and gas grapple with growing international pressure to transition to sustainable energy sources.
**Interviewer:** COP29 seems to be revealing a schism between fossil fuel-dependent nations and those pushing for aggressive climate action. How can this divide be bridged moving forward?
**Dr. Green:** Bridging this divide requires constructive dialogue and innovative solutions that acknowledge the economic realities of fossil fuel economies while promoting climate action. Financial support, technological assistance, and information sharing can help these nations transition. Building alliances among nations committed to environmental sustainability will also be crucial in establishing stronger international norms.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, considering the dire warnings from leaders about the consequences of inaction on climate change, are you optimistic about the outcomes of COP29?
**Dr. Green:** While the immediate outlook may seem precarious given the varied interests at play, the unyielding call for proactive measures and international cooperation gives me hope. The challenge is significant, but the awareness of the consequences of climate inaction is greater than ever. The actual progress may need to be incremental, but a committed coalition of countries can yield meaningful change.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Green, for your insights. It’s clear that COP29 is set against a complex backdrop, but the dialogue around our climate crisis continues to push forward.
**Dr. Green:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope that the momentum grows stronger as we move through the conference.