Govind Tekale
COP29 is expected to last till 22 Nov 24. World leaders were urged by UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell to send a strong signal at another world forum, the G20 (Group of 20) summit, that climate action is core business for the world’s biggest economies and step up climate finance globally as it requires action both side and outside the COP process.
As negotiators continue to work on finalizing post-2025 climate finance goals, there are reports on how COP officials are facilitating discussion on fossil fuel deals. World leaders have called for an urgent overhaul of the UN climate process. They include former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former head of the UN climate change body Christiana Figueres, and former Irish president Mary Robinson.
The leaders argue that it needs “a shift from negotiation to implementation,” as the existing approach is no longer fit for purpose. They said, “28 COPs have delivered us with the policy framework to achieve this. However, its current structure simply cannot deliver the change at exponential speed and scale, which is essential to ensure a safe climate landing for humanity. This is what compels our call for a fundamental overhaul of the COP.”
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They said the shift is needed to enable the COP to deliver on agreed commitments and ensure urgent transition and phaseout of fossil energy. According to them, this is necessary for “COP reform.”
The signatories in an open letter to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and executive secretary of the UN climate change secretariat Simon Stiell noted, “Host countries must demonstrate a high level of ambition to uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement.” The global policy framework is scientifically rigorous and also economically sound and complete, despite some of its flaws and limited resources. They said while enlisting their suggestions, “But the framework alone is not enough to solve the problems.”
Observers at COP29 feel nothing can be guaranteed as the big question mark of US President-elect Donald Trump’s shadow hovers over the world environment crisis. In short, a group of environment-friendly leaders have suggested the overhaul of the UN climate process. They have given seven suggestions. These experts call for an overhaul of the COP process and a shift from talks to action. However, any proposals for change in COP may be upset by unpredictable US president-elect Donald Trump.
