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COP29 Weekend Summary: 15th-17th November 2024

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This weekend at COP29 highlighted key debates about fossil fuels and strategies to combat the climate crisis. Progress was made in some areas, such as developing criteria for the Loss and Damage Fund, while differences in opinion caused delays in other discussions.

Friday: Fossil Fuel Influence and Calls for Change.

On Friday, COP29 highlighted concerns about the influence of the fossil fuel industry at the summit. Reports indicated that over 1,700 attendees had ties to fossil fuel interests, sparking discussions about transparency and priorities. Some climate advocates called for stricter measures to limit the role of lobbyists in such events. Data presented at the summit highlighted the global scale of carbon pollution, with Shanghai identified as the most polluting city, emitting more greenhouse gases than some whole countries. The Permian Basin in Texas was flagged as the most polluting site worldwide.

There were also calls to shift the focus of these climate talks from negotiating new agreements to implementing existing ones. While some defended the current process, others emphasised the need to deliver on promises already made.

COP29 Summary

Saturday: Delays in Key Decisions

Saturday marked the conclusion of the first week of COP29, with the Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) closing their sessions. The outcomes painted a concerning picture of the progress achieved so far. Discussions on the Loss and Damage Fund progressed, with countries developing a standardised criteria to determine who can access the fund. However, debates on cutting emissions highlighted divisions. Some countries pushed for strong commitments to accelerate energy transitions, while others resisted, raising their concerns about fairness and top-down approaches.

One major obstacle was whether to use the outcomes of the Global Stocktake – a review of progress under the Paris Agreement – to guide future mitigation efforts. The lack of agreement on this issue left negotiations tense and incomplete. Talks on transitions and financial support for developing countries also stalled, with drafts containing many unresolved points.

Sunday: A Call for Action

No formal meetings took place on Sunday, but Azerbaijan’s ambassador delivered a strong message to the UN. He urged nations to move beyond talks and take collective action to combat the climate crisis, emphasising that time is running out to make meaningful progress.

The events of the weekend at COP29 show the complexity of international climate negotiations. Discussions highlighted both progress and differing viewpoints on critical issues. As the summit continues, further efforts will likely focus on finding common ground and advancing practical solutions to address the climate crisis effectively.

Catch Up On Previous COP29​ Updates

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