22 November 2024, Baku Azerbaijan - The pressure is on for COP29 to deliver a new climate finance package as the clock ticks towards an uncertain deadline for the conclusion of the latest climate change negotiations in Baku, Azerbaijan.
But Pacific voices remain loud and clear in the negotiation rooms, as Pacific leaders, negotiators and delegates continue to fight for the survival of their communities on the front line of climate change impacts.
A key and contentious issue is the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. On Thursday morning, a new draft of the COP29 NCQG was released by the COP Presidency. While it is more streamlined than previous versions, it still does not include an agreed target figure for the final goal.
Pacific countries are amongst vulnerable nations seeking $1.3 trillion to deal with damage from climate change and to adapt to it. The figure is being debated along with other details such as how much is grants or loans, and who contributes.
The COP Presidency convened a special plenary to hear views from parties and negotiators.
“We’ve said this before and we will say it again here, we have got to keep the 1.5 degree goal within reach,” said Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Biman Prasad, who expressed serious concern with the mitigation text and objected to backsliding on commitments. He noted that “we are not at the beginning of this process, we are at the twilight to deliver,” and “through the work we are doing, the special circumstances of SIDS and LDCs must be protected in line with the principles of the Convention and Paris Agreement.”
Samoa, as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), reminded that the stakes are incredibly high as COP29 work to deliver a package that meets the world’s urgent needs.
“The time for political games is over,” said Samoa’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Hon. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster. “Implementing all aspects of the Paris Agreement requires the sense of urgency that the global climate crisis demands.
“The package needs to protect the space for deep emissions reductions and stronger mitigation efforts on the ground in this critical decade. If we lose these elements, the implementation of the Paris Agreement’s goals will fall out of balance.”
On the NCQG, while AOSIS appreciates the efforts to streamline the text, Minister Toeolesulusulu said an “overall number” is the critical missing piece of the puzzle.
Tuvalu’s Minister of Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment, Hon. Maina Talia, reiterated that his country continues to suffer from the impacts of climate change.
“We cannot delay action,” he said. This is a life and death issue for us. The world needs to move away from fossil fuels, there is no future in fossil fuels, all that’s found there is death and destruction.”
Marshall Islands Climate Envoy, Ms Tina Stege said the text released on Thursday morning is disconnected, and is unacceptable in the view of negotiators like herself, and many colleagues from the Pacific, who travel for days every year to attend these COP meetings.
“We cannot play geopolitics with the lives of our citizens,” she said. “The package as it stands fails the people of Marshall islands.”
Vanuatu, as the Chair of Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), said the progress of COP29 has been quite frustrating and for negotiators, it has been a stressful process.
Vanuatu’s Head of Delegation, Mr. Abraham Nasak, said while it has been good to see a text giving negotiators an idea of common landing space on many of the thematic areas, the sprint to the final hour will be intense. He underscored that the dialogue on GST implementation must establish a process for follow-up on all GST outcomes to keep the 1.5°C goal alive.
The Pacific’s lead negotiator on Climate finance, Mr Wayne King, of the Cook Islands, said negotiators will need to buckle up for the remaining hours of COP29.
“There are two things that need to happen, one is that the Presidency needs to be strong and determined, and we don’t know if that’s happening at this stage. The second thing is for AOSIS, together with LDCs, which is half of G77 and China, is to make it known that our circumstances need to be reinforced,” said Mr King.
“From here onwards, we will continue into the day and into the night to try and reach an agreement on this text. The text so far in terms of NCQG for the Pacific is looking pretty reasonable because it’s got our stuff in it. In terms of mitigation, it’s pretty weak.”
Mr Joseph Sikulu, 350.org Pacific Director and Pacific Climate Warrior, said the text comes with no clear grant based core money. “Nothing less than one trillion dollars in grants per year will be enough to see those most impacted by climate change on a just transition towards a safe, equitable future,” he said. “Rich countries must stop dithering, and start delivering - this is not charity, it's time for them to pay their debt.”
Niue’s Minister for Natural Resources, Hon. Mona Ainuu, who is the Pacific’s political champion for gender, however, remains optimistic.
“I’m hoping that the final text, and I know there is going to be a lot of work that will go into it, will reflect the importance of why we are here, firstly to voice our concerns, as well as to find solutions for disparities we have for our women and our girls,” she said.
“For me I’m hoping that whatever happens in the next 48 hours we can come to some solutions because at the end of the day, nature doesn’t wait for anyone, we are all impacted, especially for women and girls.”
Critics say a lot of the tough issues that are unlikely to be agreed upon in Baku will be moved to the next COP in Brazil next year.
Minister Ainuu said the work must continue. “This is an ongoing process and we not will solve everything in one meeting so if it means we will continue next year in Brazil so be it,” she said.
“I will never stop fighting for our communities, and for women and girls who are impacted by climate change because I have a 13 year girl who is swimming in the ocean this morning and I want her to continue that, and I want other girls like her to enjoy the same privilege, whether they’re from Saudi Arabia, Eastern Europe, Asia, or wherever. So let’s hope there will be some good outcomes, and we will continue to keep pushing.”
The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is taking place from 11-22 November 2024 in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan.
It is being attended by Pacific leaders and their delegations, who are advocating for the survival of Pacific communities who continue to be at the forefront of climate change impacts.
A key part of amplifying the One Pacific Voice at COP29 is the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion and the Pacific Delegation Office.
The Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion at COP29 is a Pacific partnership with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand managed by SPREP and the Pacific Delegation Office at COP29 is a Pacific partnership with the New Zealand Government managed by SPREP.