Well that’s a wrap for me. Some of my #COP29 highlights
?? The argument for cities to be more integrated into the UNFCCC process has never been stronger and this year’s COP showed further promising signs that subnational governments are getting the recognition they deserve. The 3rd annual Ministerial on Urbanisation and Climate Change and Brazil’s NDC setting out their commitment to #climatefederalism were great demonstrations that national governments are increasingly seeing cities, states and regions as critical partners in tackling the climate crisis.
?? To unlock their full potential for climate action, however, we urgently need to bridge the urban finance gap. Despite generating over 70% of global GHG emissions, cities currently receive only 7-8% of climate funding. It was great seeing MDBs, Ministers and mayors all join the High-level Roundtable on Financing Urban Climate Action, which also reiterated the call made by mayors and urban leaders at #U20 for at least US$800 billion in annual public investment by 2030 from national governments and development finance institutions to scale up city-level climate action.
?? We launched two new reports: (1) on how national governments can strengthen their climate commitments through strategic collaboration with cities, states, and regions; and (2) draft guidance for cities, states and regions to set GHG emissions reduction targets that align with the ambition and principles of the #ParisAgreement:
? Stronger NDCs With Cities, States, and Regions: Recommendations for National Governments: https://lnkd.in/eAnF4-Yg.?
? Integrity Matters: GHG Target Guidance Setting for Cities, States and Regions > https://lnkd.in/dxnaszzR
???? #Baku, you were a great host city. Efficient and friendly with a beautiful old town, waterfront and metro system. A bit too car-friendly though for my liking and hoping the city's green transformation includes more space, and cleaner air, for walking and cycling
?? And finally, a few thoughts on the COP format. The hosting of COPs by petrostates, in my opinion, undermines the urgency of the mission whilst red carpet treatment for fossil fuel executives make a mockery of the COP Presidency's responsibilities. The escalating size of these annual gatherings should also be addressed. The number of delegates has increased drastically in recent years to 83,000 and 66,000 at COP28 and COP29 respectively. And whilst multilateralism, consensus building, and inclusion must underpin the global climate movement, surely there is a better way to drive this process forward than by flying 50,000+ delegates around the world, whilst host countries continue to bet on a fossil fuel-based economy.
