COP29: An overview and ASEC's key expectations for Africa in tackling global climate change
In this think piece, we explore COP29’s overview and some key expectations of Africa in tackling global climate change.
After the twenty-eighth COP (COP28), which was held in Dubai, from November 20th to December 13th 2023 saw intense negotiations amongst the over 85,000 participants worldwide1, COP29 is expected to bring together an even much larger number of State Parties in Azerbaijan to review and advance the implementation of the UNFCCC through various institutional and administrative arrangements. The event essentially emphasizes the important role of international cooperation in tackling climate issues globally. Tagged “The Finance COP,” the COP29 is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11th to 22nd November 2024, with focus particularly being placed on financial commitments and mechanisms needed to mobilize enough funding required to address climate change on a global scale.2
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| Photo Source: ActionAid International |
To this extent, ASEC holds along with the African continent that, as COP29 is currently being held in Azerbaijan, the importance of the event goes even beyond the conference and provides a unique opportunity for the continent to strengthen its role on the global stage and highlight its commitment to sustainable environmental practices6. We strongly believe that a key test for COP29 will be whether the converged parties will be able to agree on a more effective mechanism for securing funding from developed countries and then delivering it in a just and equitable way to developing countries3, which in that context is also in consistency with the objectives as highlighted for SDG 16; Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
WHAT ASEC EXPECTS AFTER COP29
Looking ahead to the aftermath of COP29, we underline the fact that the climate crisis keeps wreaking havoc around the world, particularly in climate-vulnerable countries on the African continent4. As COP29 seeks to touch on two critical agendas that are delicate to our mission:
1) The resetting of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets for the next five-year period (2025 – 2030),
2) The re-examination of climate finance5. At all costs, we emphasize there is the need to put in place progressive structures that will stand to reverse decades of deprivation so that developing countries can as well be rightfully positioned to benefit from international climate funding. The two agendas on COP29’s plate are very related and intertwined. Without the strategic tackling of climate finance, the first; resetting NDCs is almost unachievable
5. Climate-vulnerable countries around the African continent that have done the least to cause the crisis keep being overburdened with the menace of climate change.
The little amount of climate finance given to developing countries is even disbursed in the form of loans, which further indebts already indebted countries on the front lines of the climate crisis who have done little to contribute to the problem. We join in solidarity with the ActionAid in stating that; “there’s simply no rationale for loans to be branded as climate finance. Climate finance must be in the form of public grants.”4
Now, accountability is essential for effectively managing the impact of the climate crisis. We continue to recommend that stronger mechanisms be put in place to hold more and more governments and larger institutions accountable. As deliberations are ongoing, there is a need for reinforcing a tax-just system in rich, high-polluting and climate-vulnerable countries to ensure a fair solution is established, combat climate change, and stimulate a sustainable, resilient future.
REFERENCES
1. Alzain, H. (2024). ‘COP28 Summary and COP29 Lookahead: Key Insights.’ Retrieved November 11, 2024 from www.researchgate.net
2. Buchner, B. (2024). ‘COP29’s Climate Investment Imperative.’ American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Retrieved November 11, 2024 from www.science.org.
3. Alzain, H. (2024). ‘COP28 Summary and COP29 Lookahead: Key Insights.’ Retrieved November 11, 2024 from www.researchgate.net.
4. Archer, D. (2024). ‘Finding the Finance Tax Justice and the Climate Crisis.’ ActionAid International, Johannesburg, South Africa.
5. Beardswoeth, R. (2024). ‘Remember, Remember the Month of November: Ahead of COP29’ Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International. Retrieved November 11, 2024 from www.openaccessgovernment.org.
6. Chalabiyeva, U., Uslu, I., Gasimova, N., Ismayilova, A., Rahimli, N. and Huseynov, A. (2024). ‘COP29 Baku COP29 and Azerbaijan’s Contribution.’ How can The Government Promote Climate Agenda? Center of Analysis of International Relations.