Damian Carrington, Guardian Environment Editor, discusses the fraught negotiations at COP29 in Azerbaijan. He reveals how wealthy nations pledged just $300 billion annually instead of the requested $1.3 trillion to support developing countries’ climate efforts. The conversation touches on the challenges of covering such a controversial event and the role of fossil fuel interests in undermining climate actions. Looking ahead, he outlines what we might expect from Brazil, the host of next year’s conference.
The COP29 negotiations ended with a controversial pledge of $300 billion annually, far below the $1.3 trillion requested by developing nations.
Azerbaijan's role as a host raised concerns about its commitment to climate action due to its authoritarian governance and fossil fuel reliance.
Deep dives
Azerbaijan's Role and Challenges at COP29
Azerbaijan's position as the host for COP29 posed unique challenges given its status as a petrostate heavily reliant on fossil fuels. The country aims to increase gas production significantly, leading to criticism regarding its suitability to lead climate discussions. Authoritarian governance under Ilham Aliyev and the country’s controversial fossil fuel policies raised eyebrows among climate advocates. Despite these concerns, the event was influenced by disinformation campaigns, with many social media profiles promoting Azerbaijan favorably, creating an atmosphere that targeted dissenting journalists.
Climate Financing Agreements
The negotiations at COP29 culminated in an agreement to deliver $300 billion annually from wealthy nations to developing countries by 2035, a fraction of what is deemed necessary. Expectations were met with frustration, particularly from negotiators representing developing countries who criticized the deal as insufficient given the scale of climate change challenges. The discussions highlighted a significant financial gap, with estimates suggesting that developing countries could require up to $192 trillion by 2050 based on their carbon budget entitlements. The necessity for fossil fuel companies to take on more financial responsibility was also stressed, as their substantial profits were viewed as a means to support climate action.
The Future of Climate Negotiations
While COP29 achieved some progress, such as emphasizing the importance of continued international dialogue, it faced setbacks regarding commitments to transition away from fossil fuels. Negotiation stagnation was attributed to the influence of fossil fuel interests, particularly from Saudi Arabia, which weakened prior pledges for a shift from fossil dependency. Upcoming COP meetings, particularly in Brazil, are viewed with cautious optimism due to Brazil's stronger stance on climate action and the expectation of more effective negotiations. The critical task ahead remains to align national climate contributions with the urgent need for significant emission reductions as the climate crisis intensifies.
Madeleine Finlay hears from the Guardian’s environment editor, Damian Carrington, about the controversial climate finance deal that brought Cop29 negotiations to a close in the early hours on Sunday morning in Baku, Azerbaijan. Developing countries asked rich countries to provide them with $1.3tn a year to help them decarbonise their economies and cope with the effects of the climate crisis. But the final deal set a pledge of just $300bn annually, with $1.3tn only a target. Damian tells Madeleine how negotiations unfolded, and what we can expect from next year’s conference in Brazil. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
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