COP29: UNECE advocates for energy transition financing, environmental cooperation, transport decarbonization & local climate action
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
UNECE fosters sustainable development by translating #GlobalGoals into norms and conventions that impact people’s lives
The acceleration and financing of energy transition, enhancing international cooperation in environmental protection, decarbonization of all modes of transport, and advancing climate action at the local and regional level were in the focus of UNECE’s engagements at COP29 Azerbaijan in Baku, Azerbaijan. The UNECE delegation led by Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean and Deputy Executive Secretary Dmitry Mariyasin presented specific tools and practical examples of UNECE work that can help Member States to address climate change and scale up the necessary climate finance, including?the UNECE Public-Private Partnerships and Infrastructure Evaluation and Rating System (PIERS), the United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS)?and?UN Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC), the Strategy on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Inland Transport,?Water Convention, Forum of Mayors, as well as the SPECA Multi-Partner Trust Fund and?the SPECA Climate and Innovation Dialogue.?Read more???
Photo credit: UNFCCC / COP29 Presidency
Sustainable development
Executive Secretary builds on strong EU partnership in Brussels visit
On the heels of her engagement for climate action at COP29, UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean visited Brussels this week to share insights from UNECE support for sustainable water management and to discuss joint priorities with high-level representatives from the European Commission .?In a High-level Panel during the European Business Summits “Rewater EU: how to accelerate EU competitiveness through water”, she?stressed that resilient and efficient water resources management practices and policies are key for a safe investment and businesses environment and can therefore boost competitiveness. The European Union is actively involved across UNECE’s areas of work. Many UNECE Conventions, standards and policy tools are in turn applied by the EU and its members.?To build on this strong partnership, the Executive Secretary met with European Commission Directors responsible for trade, transport, energy, and the environment, as well as with the Executive Director of the European Environment Agency in Copenhagen to discuss ongoing implementation of UNECE’s Multilateral Environmental Agreements in the EU.?Read more
Photo credit: European Business Summits?
Transport
At COP29, UNECE ICAO and IMO join forces to decarbonize transport
Transport has traditionally propelled economic growth and connected nations. Yet, as a formidable contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for nearly a quarter of energy-related emissions worldwide, the transport sector now finds itself at a crossroads.?According to the latest report by the IPCC ,?inland transport contributes more than 72% of global energy-related CO2 emissions in the transport sector, with 69% stemming from road transport. Aviation is responsible for approximately 2.4% of total anthropogenic emissions of CO2 on an annual basis, whereas estimated total emissions from maritime transport correspond to 2–3%. Against this background, and for the first time ever, the three United Nations organizations responsible for transport – the International Civil Aviation Organization , International Maritime Organization and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe – came together at COP29 Azerbaijan with aligned visions to reduce the impact of their respective sectors on climate change.?Read more
SPECA
COP29 ushers in the SPECA Multi-Partner Trust Fund and SPECA Climate and Innovation Dialogue
A high-level meeting at COP29 Azerbaijan , co-organized by the COP29 Presidency, Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan , United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and United Nations ESCAP , saw the introduction of the SPECA Multi-Partner Trust Fund, while high-level representatives of SPECA participating States of the United Nations Special Programmes for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) signed the Baku Joint Ministerial Statement on the Establishment of the SPECA Climate and Innovation Dialogue, thus marking a new chapter in regional climate cooperation.?UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean noted that the SPECA Multi-Partner Trust Fund and the SPECA Climate and Innovation Dialogue will further advance partnerships and collective solutions to the shared challenges in the region.?The Fund is now open for contributions and is expected to be funded through voluntary contributions of SPECA participating States, bilateral and multilateral donors and other partners.?It is expected that the Dialogue will be formally made part of SPECA at the SPECA Governing Council in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 28 November 2024.?Read more
Publication of the Week
Transport
COP29 ministerial roundtable advances cooperation to promote a sustainable and digital Middle Corridor?
A ministerial roundtable held at COP29 Azerbaijan aimed to strengthen regional cooperation to promote sustainable development and digitalization, interoperability and climate action in the Middle Corridor, linking Europe and Asia via the Caspian Sea, and other international corridors. Jointly organized by United Nations Economic Commission for Europe , United Nations ESCAP and the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, the event gathered ministers responsible for transport and high-ranking officials from the region and beyond, as well as heads of international organizations.?The participants discussed successful practices related to the development of green, sustainable transport infrastructure,?the use of intelligent transport systems to improve energy efficiency, the impact of innovative technologies on reducing CO2?emissions in freight transportation, and the potential role of automation and artificial intelligence in ensuring sustainable transport links.?Following the roundtable, they?adopted a communiqué that reflects their collective commitment to advancing the process of sustainable development and digital transformation in the region.?Read more
Environment
Azerbaijan must further progress towards implementing low-carbon strategies, highlights UNECE report
Over the past 13 years, Azerbaijan has taken important steps in improving its environmental performance, in particular in strengthening its policy framework, developing protected areas and establishing a Commission on Water Management. However, a number of key issues remain to be addressed according to the third Environmental Performance Review (EPR) presented at COP29 in Baku. The report looks at progress made since the second EPR in 2011 and makes 78 recommendations for future action to improve the country’s environmental performance.?Since the second review in 2011, the country established a comprehensive policy framework, updated environmental legislation and introduced cross-sectoral governance and institutional structures, notably the National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development and the Commission on Water Management.?The Review also notes progress in the development of protected areas, the promotion of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and environmental education, waste management and the environmental rehabilitation of historical oil polluted soils.?Read more
Environment
Kyrgyzstan recognizes need for enabling policies and frameworks for adaptation in mountainous and climate-vulnerable areas
The third Environmental Performance Review (EPR) of Kyrgyzstan, undertaken by UNECE, will support the government to strengthen climate action and address pressing environmental challenges, including in mountainous areas.?The main findings of the EPR?were presented by UNECE and the Kyrgyz authorities on 15 November 2024 in Baku at?COP29. The Review provides recommendations to guide the country in achieving the SDGs, as well as national commitments?to advance sustainable development and environmental management.?In this regard, during COP29, Kyrgyzstan was actively promoting the sustainable mountain development agenda.??This third EPR evaluated progress since the second EPR in 2009 and comprises 18 chapters covering a broad range of themes and contains 89 recommendations and 257 sub-recommendations addressing pressing environmental concerns in Kyrgyzstan. In addition, the EPR covers 14 Sustainable Development Goals and contains assessments related to 61 SDG targets.??Read more
Water
Ministers advance joint efforts on Regional Transboundary Cooperation Initiative for the Senegal-Mauritania Aquifer Basin
On the sidelines of the 10th?session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Water Convention (MOP 10), ministers responsible for water resources in The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Senegal convened to take a significant step toward enhancing regional cooperation over the Senegal-Mauritania Aquifer Basin (SMAB).?Building on the Ministerial Declaration on the SMAB, adopted in Geneva on 29 September 2021, the four countries’ Regional Working Group (RWG), with support from international partners, has been implementing actions to make transboundary cooperation over the SMAB effective. These actions include mobilizing funds to implement a regional programme and initiating negotiations on a legal and institutional framework to formalize cooperative management of the aquifer. The aquifer is a crucial source of water for approximately 80% of the population in the four countries, representing an invaluable resource in their adaptation to the impacts of climate change. Read more
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