The Chair of the Elders, Mary Robinson, has stated that the Vatican, Russia, and Saudi Arabia are hindering the progress of a gender-focused climate action plan at the COP29 discussions in Azerbaijan.
She has also expressed strong disapproval of Azerbaijan’s selection as the host for the climate talks, claiming that a significant number of fossil fuel lobbyists are swaying the discussions and that the COP presidency is not showing adequate strength in negotiations.
We are at the beginning of what is meant to be the penultimate day of COP29 in Baku.
Mrs. Robinson mentioned that the mood is low due to the sluggish pace of progress.
She further emphasized that without effective leadership in the host country, meaningful advancements are unlikely during a COP. “That is the current situation in Baku,” she remarked, asserting that Azerbaijan was not an ideal choice for the talks.
She also noted that United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is returning to the negotiations, hopeful that he will inspire negotiators to achieve the essential $1.3 trillion finance deal for developing nations.
The COP29 discussions are currently underway in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Mrs. Robinson referenced the constructive critiques of the UN COP climate negotiation process and the call for significant reforms, which were detailed in an Open Letter released last week by the Group of Rome, of which she is a member.
While she clarified that the timing of the open letter was not under the control of the UN Elders, she affirmed her support for its contents.
She lamented that progress on the Gender Action Plan is “almost regressing, particularly regarding human rights, women’s rights, and intersectionality. It truly is quite disheartening.”
She highlighted the critical nature of reaching a climate finance agreement at COP29 but pointed out that Saudi Arabia, in particular, is obstructing progress from behind the scenes.
Nonetheless, she remains optimistic that COP29 will not conclude in failure. “I’m aware that considerable effort is being made, and Eamon Ryan is taking on a leadership role in this,” Mrs. Robinson stated.
“I take pride in that, and I believe he is performing well.”
Read more: COP29 climate talks enter final phase: What happens next? COP29 needs to deliver a deal on climate finance – Ryan
A new draft of the climate pact has failed to resolve the deadlock regarding finances, with the clock ticking for nations to achieve the long-awaited trillion-dollar finance agreement.
“Regarding the text overall, I’m not going to sugarcoat it – it is evidently unacceptable as it stands currently,” remarked EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra.
“I am confident there isn’t a single ambitious country that considers this nearly sufficient.”
The nearly 200 nations in Baku are expected to concur on a new target to supplant the $100 billion annually pledged by wealthy nations to assist poorer countries in combatting climate change.
Numerous developing countries are advocating for $1.3 trillion, predominantly from governmental sources, although affluent nations have hesitated to meet such requests and have insisted that private funding should contribute to achieving any final goals.
The most recent draft acknowledges that developing nations require a commitment of at least “USD [X] trillion” each year, omitting the crucial specific figure.
Ali Mohamed, chair of the African Group of Negotiators, an influential negotiating bloc, stated that the “elephant in the room” is the absence of a concrete number.
“This is the reason we are gathered here… but we are no closer, and we need developed nations to engage urgently on this issue,” said Mr. Mohamed, who also serves as Kenya’s climate envoy.
Other significant unresolved issues include the contributors and the mechanisms for raising and delivering the funds, which remain unclear in the pared-down 10-page document.
Many nations have also voiced concerns that last year’s COP28 commitment to transition away from fossil fuels is being overlooked in Baku.
Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan insisted that discussions on finance are “progressing” behind closed doors.
“This text is not the final version, that much is clear. It will be significantly different. However, I believe there is potential for further consensus,” he stated.
The draft reflects the broad and opposing views of developed and developing nations that have largely continued since COP29 commenced over a week ago.
Wealthy countries desire that all forms of financing, encompassing both public funds and private investments, be accounted towards the goal and expect contributions from wealthy nations not bound by obligations, like China.
Conversely, developing countries seek that funds primarily emerge from rich governmental budgets in the form of grants or unconditional monetary support, rather than loans that could exacerbate national debt.
