WWF Global Arctic Programme at COP29

This year may be the hottest ever recorded, with extreme weather becoming more common worldwide—heatwaves, wildfires, floods, and storms are taking a heavy toll on people, economies, and the environment. In the Arctic, the crisis is even more intense. Temperatures there are rising nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet, causing rapid ice melt and loss of animal habitats. Iconic species like polar bears and walruses are at serious risk, as they depend on stable ice to hunt and survive. COP29 represents a crucial turning point. The global community must prioritize protecting the Arctic to ensure climate resilience and stability for generations to come.

WWF Global Arctic Programme's Elena Tracy, sustainable development senior advisor, is on-site?at COP29?launching a new research brief and participating in events. Melanie Lancaster, Arctic species senior specialist,?will be joining an online event. More info on these events and how you can join below.

More on what COP29 means for the Arctic and what we're doing at COP29.

Here are the events where you can find WWF Global Arctic Programme.

Oil in the Water, Smoke in the Sky: The expansion of fossil fuel projects in sensitive areas and the urgent need to transition away

When: 11 November 2024, 12:30 GMT / 16:30 GST

Where: Panda Pavillion or online.

The recording for this event is available on our website.

The Future of Shipping at the Biodiversity and Climate Nexus in the Arctic

When: 12 November 2024, 14:00 GMT /18:00 GST

Where: Online. Register free of charge.

Event details

Creating Space for Nature: Visions of Arctic Futures Aligned with the 1.5°C Emission Reduction Goals

When: 13 November 2024, 6:00 GMT / 10:00 GST

Where: Cryosphere Pavillion or online

Event details

Busting Myths Around Short-Lived Climate Pollutants from Shipping

When: 14 November, 7:30 GMT / 11:30 GST

Where: Online. Register free of charge.

Event details

Fireside chat: Transitioning the Shipping Sector – Opportunities and Challenges for our Oceans

When: 17 November 2024, 9:45 GMT / 13:45 GST

Watch this space for more details

WWF research brief highlights alarming trends in Arctic oil and gas production and emissions

A new research brief from the WWF Global Arctic Programme reveals concerning trends in Arctic fossil fuel production and emissions, highlighting how the region’s oil and gas activities continue to expand, despite growing global commitments to combat climate change. This analysis, part of WWF’s ongoing series on Arctic environmental impacts, underscores the urgent need for Arctic nations to prioritize climate action by curbing fossil fuel activities.

The UN climate meeting starts - "Increasing climate finance is an investment in a secure future"

From WWF-Finland (in Finnish)

The main goal of the UN climate conference starting today in Baku, Azerbaijan is to get the world's countries to commit to increasing climate finance. WWF also proposes a new negotiation theme for the climate meetings, which would take into account the central role of nature in solving the climate crisis.

WWF-Sweden ahead of COP29: "No time to waste"

From WWF-Sweden (in Swedish)

Yesterday, the big UN climate meeting, COP29, began. Countries of the world will try to find a way forward to stop and manage global warming. WWF-Sweden's climate expert David Mjureke explains what is at stake.

That's all for this COP29 edition of The Arc. If you would like to get this newsletter straight to your inbox, please subscribe.