COP29 Closing Plenary: Part 2 24/11/24

These are notes of the second part of the closing plenary of #COP29, starting at 12:35am on 24 November 2024. A couple of hours earlier Part 1 dealt with a range of noncontroversial decisions, and also squared away major decisions on Article 6.2 and 6.4 implementation matters, and quietly sorted a controversial issue around unilateral trade related measures by putting it, in a form, into the work program of the Forum on the Impact of Response Measures.

In the course of Part 2, we learned whether and how the COP would finally address the New Collective Quantified Goal for climate finance (NCQG) and mitigation ambition in the last stretch to the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions. There was drama!

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President: deals with nominations for elections. Enthusiastic applause from the room for each person appointed to the Bureau, including Australia's Julia Gardiner.

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"Ladies and gentlemen we will resume the COP, CMP, CMA later tonight." 12:48am. ["What?!" say a bunch of people in the Observer part of the audience.]

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Prez: "We need 20-25 minutes to finalise documents and we will start discussions." ["Phew", say observers]

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[nearly two hours then elapse, during which new (final?) texts emerge for the remaining contentious items - NCQG, and the ambition-related Mitigation Work Program (MWP) and UAE Dialogue on the Global Stock Take (GST). They look good to me after a brief scan.]

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Prez: resumes [2:25am].

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Runs through further items - long term finance under the COP (not the NCQG), gender equality. [the gender item gets a big hand from everyone]

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Prez invites input on any other matters.

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MEXICO intervenes - makes a statement in Spanish on human rights and women's rights. Applause.

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KENYA: welcome the outcome on gender and climate. Raises intersectionality. Asks that the item remain under the Convention and receive resources to implement.

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PERU for AILAC: Welcome the gender and climate decision and appreciate flexibility shown by all parties. Extension of Lima program is vital to ensure empowerment of women and girls is integrated across climate. We look forward to a gender action plan being adopted at COP30.

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CANADA: The Lima Work Program is important and its continuation remains a priority. We are disappointed it was not adopted ten years ago. There is much work to do. Canada will continue to make gender a priority at COP.

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CHILE: We add our voice to these interventions and associated with PERU for AILAC and MEXICO. We appreciate the work invested in the text, though we would like to have had a more ambitious outcome on activities and means of implementation needed to achieve more ambition. We invite everyone to keep working, aim high, get as much as we can and ensure the gender approach is fully applied in all our policies.

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[all those intervening speakers except MEXICO were men!]

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Then some procedurals around minor COP and CMP matters

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Then turns to the CMA and the NCQG. Invites adoption of the decision. GAVELLED THROUGH at 2:38. Massive applause, standing ovation, hugs and celebration. [the text commits developed countries to provide at least $300b USD per year by 2035, drom a variety of sources, as part of mobilising a total public and private finance of USD$1.3t/yr by 2035. There is much more content.]

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CUBA: intervenes in Spanish to make a statement [I think on behalf of the G77 but I didn't have a translation headset with a charged battery] which as far as I can make out declares the quantum inadequate to the needs of developing countries. [there is a lot of cheering, especially from people who did not cheer the decision itself.]

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INDIA: This has been an unfortunate incident and it is in continuation of 7 such incidents of not pursuing inclusivity or respecting the positions of countries. We had informed the Secretariat that we wished to make a statement before the adoption of a statement. But this has been stage managed and we are extremely disappointed. [huge cheers from those who didn't like the decision.]

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Trust is essential and this incident is indicative of a lack of trust and collaboration. We've seen what you have done. But gavelling and trying to ignore parties from speaking is not part of the UNFCCC system. We ask you to hear us in objecting to this decision. We are faced with one of the biggest challenges of all times that will determine our existence. The only thing that allows us to move on and address it is collaboration and trust. That has not worked today and we are extremely hurt by this action of the Presidency and the Secretariat.

Developed countries have the means to take action. They should advance their goals and become net negative shortly thereafter. But financial means are also required by the developing countries. We need the support of the developed countries and we need trust. What is being done today is not any indication of this. Trust that we understand each other and each other's constraints. Trust that we will move forward together. The paper for the NCQG does not inspire trust that we will get there. We have worked for three years on this. The NCQG was decided to be set in the context of the needs of developing countries and CBDR. This is the essence of our collaboration and the only basis for coming to a UN body to discuss and arrive at solutions to challenges we face.

Developing countries are most impacted by climate change, in addition to our development challenges. We are being pushed to low carbon pathways despite the costs to our growth; impacted by CBAM, we face a very competitive hostile environment. Inequitable impacts on developing countries of climate show need for financial resources. The contents of the paper do not support our growth. India does not accept the goal in its current form - the quantum is too low, the date too far, the sources too wide. It does not address the needs of develoing countries or CBDRC.

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The proposed goal does not solve anything for us. The amount ot be mobilised is abysmally low, a paltry sum. We cannot accept it.

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The current text paras 8a 8c and 9 are highly problematic. This commitment has been qualified by a footnote. Recapitalisation of MDBs has not been addressed. In future developing countries will be the main contributors to MDB climate action in future. Its a deflection of the responsibility of developed countries towards developing country shareholders of MDBs. This document is an optical illusion. We oppose adoption of this document. Please take note and regard of what we have just said.

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We seek a much higher ambition from the developed countries and we are not happy and object.

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BOLIVIA: [in Spanish] supports INDIA, denounces neocolonialism, cites historical responsibility, calls for public finance not private,

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NIGERIA: I appreciate the effort made to get where we are but lend my voice to INDIA. If we walk back home with $300b this is an insult to what the Convention says. Developed countries had the largest share of emissions in 1994, but that is still very current now. Setting a goal for 2035 is a joke and not something we should take lightly. We have the right to choose as developing countries if we take this or not. $300b is un realistic. It's 3am - are we going to clap our hands and say this is what we are going to do?

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PREZ: thank you for your statement, your statement will be reflected in the report.

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EU: We were all here for the last few days and all know how difficult it was? [a concerted campaign of coughing breaks out from NGO land]. 2024 will be remembered as the start of a new era of climate finance. The EU will continue to play a leading role. We're tripling the $100b goal. It is significant, realistic and it will be delivered. We will work hard in particular to support those who are most vulnerable. Access will improve. Adaptation finance is where public money is really truly the driving force. It is important to us that all those with the ability to do so should contribute. So we should enlarge the contributor base on a multilateral basis. MDB inclusion will put much more money on the table. With all this we are confident we will reach the $1.3T objective. The world needs more and we need to move forward. We can't lose a year in this fight. And we look forward to redoubling efforts at COP30 and bringing stronger NDCs to the table.

We did deliver on Article 6 carbon markets, standards with a UN stamp of approval bringing transparency and higher standards.

This COP delivers on climate finance, signals for carbon markets. But we would have wanted more on mitigation. And gender and rights through the text. But we have seen parties rising to the occasion, including those with whom we do not yet agree. Chair let me say we were trying to speak on human rights and gender earlier. We lend our voice to those who have spoken in the defence and enhancement of human rights. It needs to be mainstreamed across the agenda. Thank you Chair.

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MALAWI for LDCs: Support INDIA, BOLIVIA, and NIGERIA. For the LDCs this course is not what we expected It is not ambitious for us. In para 3 we had highlighted the gap in finance - but the figure in para 8 is far less than what is needed. If we go through the text, we do not see the share coming to the LDCs or SIDS, where we had advocated for a share.

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Para 14 acknowledges need to support loss and damage somewhere but the text does not follow up on this.

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As such we wish to register our reservation with this proposal as it stands.

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PREZ: I take note of your statement, it will be reflected in the report.

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PAKISTAN: thanks to AZERBAIJAN for hosting impeccably, commend the presidency for leadership with inclusivity and fairness. The principle of equity and CBDR forms the basis of global climate change. COP is the forum for forging global consensus towards 1.5C. We came to COP with the spirit that our efforts to NCQG GST and JT would put us on track. But we are leving Baku with mixed feelings and a heavy heart on gaps found here. Quantum is not enough for the needs we face in light of devastating floods and other impacts. It is not charity, it is a moral imperative.

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We welcome the decisions on Article 6 as well. As we move to the next SB sessions we look forward to further consolidating the decisions made here today. Multilateralism is the cornerstone of Pakistan's diplomacy. We look forward to a new commitment to address these concerns.

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PREZ: turning to the Global Goal on Adaptation. Invites adoption of decision. Adopted.

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Next Sharm el Sheikh Mitigation Work Program. Adopted.

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Next UAE Dialogue on implementing the Global Stock Take outcomes.

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CHILE: Thank you and team for great efforts on eleaboration of this text. For AILAC, this reflects commitment to move forward on what we do together with outcomes of the GST. In our view the text in front of us lacks a number of important elements. Doesn't reflect the tools and procedures we need to achieve the most of the outcomes. We believe our standard procedure would require the Dialogue to have a report so everyone can understand what it was about, record its ideas and offer a decision for CMA. This is standard procedure and it would be important to have that in place for such a fundamental process as the GST.

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I commend you again for your efforts to bring us together. However in our view the text does not enjoy consensus. We respect fully the views of other parties. But we differ we would like to register our views before you offer for adoption of CMA.

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PREZ: I take note of your statement, it will be entered in the report.

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SWITZERLAND for EIG: also congrat Presidency and Team, but like AILAC we cannot support the decision as it is. The text was watered down and backtracks from the commitments of last year. We need to track progress on our commitments, have time for exhcanges, and take forward to the convention if necessary. It can and must be better next year.

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MALDIVES for AOSIS: we've engaged in good faith under this agenda item on what is most important to us. We've sought an acceptable outcome but have not seen that in this text, it falls short of our expectations.

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FIJI: Support MALDIVES for AOSIS. We came here for hope but are being asked to step backward. We're not willing to do that. We face a crisis that knows no bounds, that we did the least to cause. The smallest have shouted the loudest too long. With $7t per year pouring into the source of the problem the outcome we seek will not be achieved. Walkiing back the outcomes of 1 year ago is an affront.

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CANADA: We made historic commitments last year to transition away from fossil fuels. We join AILAC, AOSIS and EIG in saying this text is unacceptable.? We all need to act.

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AUSTRALIA for UMBRELLA GROUP: We are disappointed that some parties have slowed and stymied discussions to take forward the GST triple double etc. But the global move to clena energy is accelerating. We affirm our resolve to take forward the actions in GST par 28.

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PREZ: in view of these concerns I suggest we ask the subsidiary bodies to continue consideration of this to recommend a draft decision at CMA 7.

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I also propose that the outcomes on NCQG GGA, MWP be names as "Baku Climate Unity Package".

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Next UAE Just Transition Work Program. Also forwarded to next SBs / CMA

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Adjourns CMA. Moves to final procedural matters

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STATEMENTS

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SIMON STIELL, UNFCCC Executive Secretary: Thanks the Presidency for all they've done. It was a difficult journey but we have a finance deal. It is an insurance policy for humanity, but it only works if premiums are paid in full and on time. This deal will keep the clean energy boom going and help all countries to share in its benefits. We needed an enabling COP with real world outcomes to protect people prosperity and planet. There is no time for victory laps. We must raise our sights and double our efforts on the road to Belem. Without UN convened global cooperation we would be headed to 5 degrees of global warming. Bold new plans by Belem are needed to get us back in the race. Whole of economy and society thinking is needed.

We still have a long road ahead of us. But here in Baku we took another important step forward. The UN climate process is humanity's life raft. There is nothing else. Here we are taking that journey forward together.

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PREZ: We've reached the end of a defining chapter of the climate crisis. We've almost finished our work here. Thank you to President Aleyev.

Protecting the planet is an act of solidarity. When you act you reach out to people you have never met, generations past present and future. Thank you for trusting Azerbaijan to guide this process and bring us together. Let's move forard in solidarity for a green world. [he gets a standing ovation]

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Asks for brief statements given it is 4am.

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UGANDA for G77+CHINA: Thanks all for effort and commitment. Thanks Presidency, Secretariat, President.

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HUNGARY for EU: [the microphone doesn't work at first] Thanks to the President and Azerbaijan for work throughout the year.

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EU: committing to climate finance, mitigation, adaptation, more is important. We regret we are leaving COP29 breaking a promise - the UAE GST called for 1.5-aligned NDCs, now some parties are calling it a menu of options. The pathway from fossil fuels is hte only path for a safer world. We call for an exchange on best practices in energy transition.

Social justice should be at the heart of climate action.

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AUSTRALIA for UMBRELLA GROUP: We recognise the historic NCQG. Challenging and important negotiations. We thank the experts who contributed, and the four presidencies. The $300b and broader $1.3t will contribute to the needs of developing countries. Disappointed by lakc of meaningful recognition of SIDS and LDCs. Disappointed some parties blocked GST on fossils and mitigation. But the transition is powering forward. We must take every opportunity to scale up ambition and implementation. We must collaborate and build investment opportunity to mitigate faster. Pleased to see agreement on Article 6.2 and 6.4. Its a key outcome for COP29.

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We will redouble efforts on the Gender Action Program. Disappointed we couldn't reach a decision on National Adaptation Plans. As we look to 2025 we renew the call for ambitious economy wide NDCs

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UGANDA: we leave Baku knowing we have achieved progress in some areas, but far from what we hoped for. Disappointed on lack of progress on issues related to Africa. Africa stands to bear the brunt of failures it did not contribute to. We progress in some respects but regress in others. The finance commitment is too little too late too ambiguous. $300b is in adequate to deliver what is needed. Our task now is to translate words into action. Substantial flows must reach those on the front line.

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On GST it is going to be difficult for us to explain how we could fail to advance it.

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On Article 6 we hope the decisions will ensure environmental integrity. We are committed to improving the rules and guidance.

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On 6.8 we are confident it will lead to appropriate projects.

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When Africa flies the world flies. We commit ourselves to deliver the decisions made here today.

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SAUDI ARABIA for ARAB GROUP: [in Arabic, I scrabbled to find a translation headset]... CBDRRC and respecting sovereignty of parties -these are the principles that guarantee equity equality and the multiplicity of tracks. Need to be preserved. Countries need to delineate their own tracks in their own context and socioeconomic realities. Equity efficiency and comprehensive action.

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[I had to step out to record a video so missed numerous parties]

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TURKIYE: Thanks Azerbaijan and Presidency and all parties. We all knew this conference would be difficult but sent a message to the world by completing it with transparency and inclusiveness. We are pleased with the A6 agreement and GGA. As Turkiye we strive to take the steps expected of us while accelerating action. We are a bridge between developed and developing worlds and hope to host COP31. We expect your support.

CHINA for BASIC: Thanks Pres, Baku, staff. The governance of UNFCCC has stood the test of time, though not always smoothly it moves forward. The NCQG commitment is far from developing needs. The finance of developed countries should be fully specified. We should work on the basis of Paris rather than backtracking. Multilateralism and working together are important. China will support multilateralism and implement its national climate strategy of carbon peak and climate neutrality. Let's work together towards the vision of the Convention and Paris and build a clean and beautiful world.

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[more parties]

ENGO: we refuse to make an official statement and contribute to a sham of a process in a COP that became the Conference of Developed Parties.

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Indigenous: we condemn the unethical methods and results of this conference and join the nations who have complained. We also refuse to make an official statement in this sham of a process and wish to put that on the record. We condemn the removal of indigenous peoples by this process while prioritising financial carbon markets that harm indigenous people. Our practices have been proven to work unlike the false solutions being offered here.

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Children and youth NGOs: we have no ties to fossil fuels or emissions intensive industries. We are furious, is this a joke to you? Why are you dragging your feet? Barely agreeing on human rights, are you serious? Our families and friends are bieng sentenced to death. Why do you have fossil fuel lobbyists in the room? Why are we being punished, our future stolen? The NCQG is not just insufficient but an insult. Trillions, not billions. $300b reflects abadonment. In addition article 6 comes at unbearable cost. Promises, not action.

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YOUNGO2: We stand by SIDS and LDCs and decry the Presidency and Secretariat actions - is this the value you claim to represent. There can be no climate justice without gender justice. Cease genocide.

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BINGO: Thanks to the Presidency and Parties. BINGO came here with clear asks for bold action in the Baku package. An ambitious outcome on mitigation that builds on the GST. Strong rules for Article 6.2 and 6.4. And a truly ambitious actionable comprehensive NCQG with strong public finance and mobilisation of private finance. While you've made steps forward it is not enough. The only push for mitigation ambition comes from last year's COP. You must and can do better. The Baku Roadmap will be critical. We've heard concerns about uncoordinated national interventions and we encourage the discussion of trade at the next sessions.

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PREZ closes the COP