Both ENDS’ Post

Excellent Q and A by #HRW on #COP29 and the #humanrights implications of #Azerbaijan’s hosting the UN Climate Conference. See especially: “What should the Azerbaijani government do to enable full and meaningful participation in COP29? The Azerbaijani government has stated its commitment to an inclusive COP29 process, adding that “the COP29 Presidency ... is working to ensure everyone’s voices are heard and perspectives are considered and included so that we deliver inclusive outcomes based on shared solutions.” Azerbaijani authorities should put this commitment into action by fostering an environment that enables inclusive discussions about the phase-out of fossil fuels and other key aspects of tackling climate change. It should allow civil society groups to press for and scrutinize climate action before, during, and after the conference. The government should reverse its record of retaliating against critics, starting with immediately and unconditionally releasing the journalists and activists who have been detained and imprisoned on politically motivated charges. The Azerbaijani authorities should immediately release and drop all charges against Anar Mammadli, the veteran human rights defender who created the Climate of Justice initiative ahead of COP29. They should also drop the charges against Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu and allow him to leave the country to seek medical treatment. Azerbaijan should announce that it will allow climate activists to assemble peacefully during COP29. The government should support rather than restrict independent groups, including by revising restrictive legislation governing nongovernmental organizations and the media. What should states that are party to the UN Framework do to press Azerbaijan on ending human rights violations? The member countries should emphasize the importance of a thriving and independent civil society to press for ambitious climate action. They should press the Azerbaijani government, publicly and privately, to respect its human rights obligations and to immediately and unconditionally release arbitrarily detained activists and human rights defenders.“ #DemandrightsatCOP #FreeGubad

🗣️ Loss & Damage has been among the most discussed topics of this last COP, starting with its fund operationalisation during the first day of the conference. 🤔 So, how much did youth know about it? Was their awareness and knowledge technical and well-supported, or was it more general and on the surface? And finally, what role do media play in this matter? 🔎 Find out the answers to these questions in this new article by Barbara Monticelli 👇🏻 #LossAndDamage #youth #media #ClimateChange #RethinkingClimate #Cop28

🤯 Talking with many #youth at #COP28, several of them mentioned the difficulty of feeling prepared for the conference. It’s not easy to stay ready and follow what happens at COP, even if you are present there (and I can confirm this from personal experience). The topics discussed are vast and diverse, the conference area is enormous, and time flies faster than it seems (as always!). 🫠 Despite the high effort put into seeking information, understanding who will be present, and knowing which debates will be held, a sense of confusion and unpreparedness is still present, especially for first-time attendees. Could this be due to a gap in the information system and pre-COP communication? 🌎 For instance, #LossAndDamage is among the hot topics of recent COPs, as evidenced by the creation of its fund at COP27 and its operationalisation during the first day of COP28. So, how many youth were aware of it, and what did they know about it? 📰 What emerged is that the majority of the youth interviewed have probably been influenced by #media coverage in forming their opinions, particularly those with a more general and superficial awareness of the topic. So this brings to another question: how can media better #support youth on #technicaltopics like this, making them more #accessible and #engaging? The objective would be to create #curiosity and develop #criticalthinking, going beyond summarising brief information. 🔍 Find out more about these points in my new article for Rethinking Climate and let me know your thoughts!

COP29 Week 2 - SYFC Delegation Announcement! The first week of COP29 just came to a close and our Week 1 Delegation has handed over their engagement to our Week 2 Delegation. So far, our Delegates weighed in on Gender, Loss and Damage and Climate Finance Negotiation Tracks, collaborating closely with Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and YOUNGO on the ground to advance ambitious negotiation outcomes. The status quo after the first week is disappointing on aspects such as Mitigation, New Collective Quantified Goals (NCQG) on Climate Finance or Nationally-Determined Contributions (NDCs) by countries - and more. SYFC and other Civil Society Organizations will continue to put pressure on Parties, and we urge, amongst others: 🌱 A concrete plan to phase out fossil fuel before 2050, including an immediate stop of fossil fuel expansion and development, binding targets, and phasing out all harmful subsidies.  ⚡ The tripling in global renewable energy capacity and accessibility.  🏦 New funding mechanisms for the Loss & Damage Fund, where developed countries take the lead in funding efforts and with flexible and predictable mechanisms, supporting communities to rebuild after disasters.  📈 A revision of climate targets by every country to ensure the alignment with science and the 1.5°C objective. To push for these demands, the second wave of SYFC Delegates has arrived in Baku! Welcome to COP Emily Boyle, Leïla Réau, Sébastien Chahidi, Khulan Berger and Setenay Saglam. They will follow the negotiations on critical topics like Adaptation, Climate Finance, Gender Equality, and Nature & Biodiversity. Follow us here on LinkedIn for regular updates from our Delegates and on Instagram for daily news and behind the scenes 👉 https://lnkd.in/eBcmr2rx. We thank our supporters Daniel Stauffacher from The Earth Council, Elise Buckle from SHE Builds Bridges for Climate Action and Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe for their unwavering support.

New week, new engagement! This week, I am proud to represent civil society at #COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, as the International Policy Lead for the Swiss Youth for Climate SYFC Delegation. Together with Emily, Leïla, Khulan, Setenay our Delegation will join forces with other civil society organisations like CAN Europe or YOUNGO. Experience has shown that together, we have the ability to influence positively the outcomes of the negotiations. We advocate for ambitious climate commitments, provide expertise on negotiation tracks, promote process transparency and accountability from Parties - and more! Yesterday for instance, we could bring forward our demands in informal bilaterals with one of the major countries group and we might see the fruits from it later today. However, does participation in COP really matter - let alone the GHG emissions to fly there? Let us be clear: not all is rosy, functioning (hello Club of Rome: https://lnkd.in/eQipHzWC) or even close to good enough. Much, if not all, of the negotiations outcomes of Week 1 proved frustrating and with insufficient progress. But this is why civil society pressure and youth engagement matters: to keep pushing for ambitious outcomes on all negotiation tracks, from all Parties, in alignment with the Paris Agreement’s 1,5°C objective! Curious to know more about Week 2 of the negotiations? Send us your questions and let us engage the conversation! And don’t forget to follow Swiss Youth for Climate and CAN Europe for updates. #COP29 #ClimateAction #YouthLeadership #SwissYouthForClimate  #ClimateNegotiations #UNFCCC 

The last fifteen days at #COP29 were full of mixed experiences, including negotiations, meetings, and side events. Each day brought new challenges and opportunities, from engaging in discussions to connecting with diverse stakeholders and sharing work and ideas. The outcomes of #COP29 have been met with varied reactions. The outcomes of COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, have flashed significant discussion regarding the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement. Key highlights are: ◆ The most prominent outcome was a climate finance deal that is inadequate to meet developing countries' needs. Despite calls for substantial increases in climate financing, the agreement fell short, committing only $300 billion annually by 2035, which many parties argue is insufficient given the scale of climate challenges developing nations face. A last-minute addition proposed a roadmap to scale up funding to $1.3 trillion for developing countries, yet skepticism remains about whether this target will be met or not. ◆ After nearly a decade of negotiations, COP29 successfully aligned Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on the final building blocks that set out how carbon markets will operate under the Paris Agreement, making country-to-country trading and a carbon crediting mechanism fully operational. ◆ Progress was made on operationalizing the loss and damage fund. The agreement was made between the loss and damage fund board with the World bank and the Government of the Philippines to host the secretariat. These agreements create an enabling environment for the operationalization of loss and damage funds with pledges of worth of USD 730 million. However, further contributions are necessary to cover the loss and damage cost in the developing nation. ◆ COP29 made steps in advancing the Global Goal on Adaptation by focusing on indicator development and increasing financial support mechanisms to meet 2030 goal. However, significant challenges remain in ensuring that these frameworks are effectively implemented and supported by adequate resources. ◆ Parties have agreed on a decision on gender and climate change, extending the enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender and Climate Change for another 10 years. Parties also agreed to develop a new gender action plan for adoption at COP30. ◆ In COP 29 for the first-time dedicated spaces were created to ensure the meaningful participation of children within the Youth-led Climate Forum highlighting the importance of inclusivity and intergenerational collaboration in driving climate action. However, there remains a need for increased participation and representation of youth and children in climate action initiatives. Furthermore, the COP29 Presidency introduced a series of Declarations and Pledges aimed at enhancing global action on climate issues. These initiatives include commitments to reduce methane emissions and promote green energy zones and water for climate action where fifty parties signed the agreement.

As #COP29 gets underway in Baku, this is a timely reminder of the need for climate COPs to be truly #inclusive. Addressing the climate crisis and moving forward on #climateaction requires sharing and learning across a broad range of actors. Those working to reduce emissions, build resilience at all levels, adapt to the impacts of #climatechange and ensure investment is effective and fair include not only the parties to the #UNFCCC and the #ParisAgreement. Non-state actors including academics, civil society, philanthropists, scientists, corporations, local communities, sub-national jurisdictions, farmers, Indigenous leaders, disability sector representatives, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community bring their expertise and solutions to the global stage. To solve such a range of issues requires us all to be informed, engaged, and working together in new ways. As we work to make the process of climate dialogues and negotiations more effective within the international legal system, it's essential to underpin the need to build inclusive opportunities for local experiences to inform global decisions. Having all voices not only at the table and behind the podium - but truly being heard - is critical across entire COP processes (not just the two weeks that culminates those processes). Thanks Manuel Pulgar-Vidal for putting this again front and centre of COP planning and discussions. https://lnkd.in/gn9XD-fp

🌍 COP29 in Azerbaijan: A Pivotal Moment for Global Climate Action 🌍 As COP29 unfolds in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, 2024, the global community stands at a critical juncture in the fight against climate change. This conference not only underscores the urgency of environmental action but also highlights the complexities of hosting such a significant event in a nation with a robust fossil fuel economy. 🗺 Azerbaijan's Role and Challenges Hosting COP29 places Azerbaijan under the international spotlight, offering a platform to demonstrate leadership in climate diplomacy. However, the nation's heavy reliance on oil and gas—accounting for over 90% of its export revenues—raises questions about its commitment to sustainable energy transitions. Critics point to the country's environmental record and human rights issues, suggesting that these factors could influence the effectiveness of the conference. --🔍 Key Focus Areas Climate Finance: A central topic at COP29 is the mobilization of financial resources to support developing countries in mitigating and adapting to climate change. The recent achievement of the $100 billion annual target, reaching nearly $116 billion in 2022, marks a significant milestone. However, discussions continue on setting more ambitious goals to meet the escalating needs of vulnerable nations. --🔥 Energy Transition: The conference provides a forum to debate the global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Azerbaijan's announcement of a $500 million climate investment fund, sourced from its state oil company, reflects an effort to contribute to this transition. Yet, the scale and impact of such initiatives remain subjects of debate. --✅ Human Rights and Environmental Justice: The intersection of climate action and human rights is a critical consideration. Hosting COP29 in a country with a contested human rights record prompts discussions on the ethical dimensions of environmental policies and the importance of inclusive, equitable climate solutions. What are the implications for Global Climate Policy? COP29 serves as a barometer for the international community's resolve to address climate change amidst geopolitical and economic challenges. The outcomes of this conference could set the tone for future climate negotiations, influencing policies on emission reductions, adaptation strategies, and the integration of human rights into environmental frameworks. As professionals and stakeholders, it is imperative to engage critically with the developments at COP29, recognizing both the opportunities and the complexities inherent in this pivotal event. The path forward requires a balanced approach that considers economic realities, ethical imperatives, and the shared responsibility of safeguarding our planet for future generations. #COP29 #ClimateAction #Sustainability #EnergyTransition #HumanRights #EnvironmentalJustice

What am I doing at #COP29? Voicing out that there is no #ClimateJustice without #HumanRights It’s concerning that national statements this year failed to address the fundamental connection between climate justice and human rights. Ignoring these intersections risks sidelining the rights of vulnerable communities, including access to water, food, and self-determination, which are essential for equitable climate solutions. With #COP30 declared the Indigenous Peoples' COP, we must ensure discussions elevate their voices and center human rights in climate policies. Justice isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity for meaningful action. #RightToDevelopment #IndigenousRights #YouthForClimate #Sustainability #GlobalGoals Right to Development University for Peace (UPEACE) - UN Mandated

As COP29 approaches, we’re excited to spotlight the Global Youth Statement Negotiations Aligned Demands (NADs)! General Demand for #COP29 - Involve children and youth in all decision-making processes and climate action - Ensure climate policies protect across generations - Improve coordination among governments, international organisations, and civil society - Monitor energy projects for environmental and human rights impact - Establish a dedicated energy negotiation track, and annual expert dialogue on mountains and climate change within the framework of UNFCCC - Transparent fund allocation through strong accountability and monitoring Check out the full version of the #GlobalYouthStatement here: https://lnkd.in/ebcrqK-y #YOUNGO #COP29 #COY19 #ClimateAction #GYS