Holly Edwards’ Post

It is good to be able to write again! Here is my op-ed in The Saturday Paper with the Smart Energy Council on how Australia must respond to Trump’s climate denial with one simple thing: leadership. As I write in the piece, when Trump was last elected, I was in the thick of the COP22 United Nations climate conference in Marrakech. At the time, the world feared the 2015 Paris Agreement, which had only entered into legal force a few days beforehand, would unravel. There was a genuinely make-or-break moment until the rest of the world decided, in concert with US states, cities and businesses, it would step up. This time, Trump has won on the eve of COP29 in the former Soviet petrostate of Azerbaijan. And at a time when Australia is bidding to host COP31 in 2026 - which is likely to be decided in the coming weeks. That means Australia could find itself at the frontline of trying to hold the international climate framework together and plug the global ambition gap. And that is not only the right thing to do for the planet, but hosting the COP is a huge opportunity for Australia economically, geopolitically, and culturally.

For those of us who believe in multilaterialism, the outcome of the US presidential election is a real damper ahead of the next UN Climate Conference in Baku. However, in times when the global community of states is unable or less able to act, the importance of non-state actors such as companies, NGOs, foundations, but also regions and cities is growing. They all need to take on more responsibility to drive change. I'm curious to see how this new division of labour will play out in Baku. Here is an analysis of what to expect from COP29 from my colleagues Wolfgang Blau and PHIL DREW, who will be on the ground in Baku. #COP29 #sustainablebusiness https://lnkd.in/e9h6ss5d

**Trump Stalks Global Climate Talks As COP29 Draws Near** The prospect of fomer #POTUS #DonaldTrump returning as president is hanging COP29 Azerbaijan, with countries holding back their positions until they know who sits in the White House. This is surprising as #governments usually try to build global consensus months before the actual forum, but #COP29 starts just 6 days after the #USelections. As president, #Trump withdrew the #UnitedStates from the #Parisagreement on #globalwarming. #Biden later rejoined the accord, and there are concerns over what Trump's re-election might mean for #climate action. This resulted in many governments holding back, as many of them don't have a strong enough motive to move Bottom line: Elections will come and go, but the climate change issues will still remain. There is clear evidence that the #financialperformance of companies corresponds to how well #Boards handle #ESG matters. Keen to learn more? Register for the Singapore Business Federation Masterclass on Sustainability for Senior Management on 25 Oct (Fri) at <https://lnkd.in/gd_F5E5y> https://lnkd.in/gyjRir2c

Climate negotiations in Baku this November are set to attract less attention from businesses and world leaders compared to COP28 in Dubai last year, however there are still some very important agenda items on the table including climate finance and Article 6. For anyone wishing to discuss more about COP29 and what it means, do reach out!

🌍 As COP29 begins in Baku, it’s hard to ignore the list of world leaders opting out. Some, like those with serious health issues, may have valid reasons. But others, like President Biden (due to U.S. elections) and the Dutch PM (domestic concerns), seem to have shifted priorities. PNG’s foreign minister, Justin Tkatchenko, was refreshingly candid, calling COP a “waste of time” for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like his own. He's probably right. I know, I’m not alone in feeling this way. Many activists, advocates, and experts who work daily on climate action have shared similar concerns for years. Many of which may find themselves in Baku, because this just happens to be the process we have on climate action. Sure, we need negotiations! We need continued agreement and raised ambition! But it's worth AGAIN questioning the value of these large climate events. With countless climate-related gatherings each year, from NYC’s Climate Week to energy summits, are we spreading efforts too thin? And now, does COP still hold the same essential role? To be fair, COP has achieved some progress. Would we even have the Paris Agreement without it? Every step matters, even if small. But, do we need such a massive event to achieve incremental gains? Imagine if the resources spent on these conventions went directly to on-the-ground action. Could we finally meet the $100 billion annual funding goal? And what will we even achieve this year as most countries still struggle with implementation of the Paris Agreement and their NDCs. Perhaps the absence of some world leaders suggests they secretly share PNG’s sentiment. While I remain a believer in the importance of global dialogue on the world's greatest challenge, it’s time to rethink how big and frequent these conventions need to be. Now good luck to all those who are there the next two weeks (and those who have already been there for a week + 😉) working tirelessly to achieve just a tiny bit. #COP29 #ClimateAction #RealProgress (picture from one of my favorite field visits since I don't have one from Baku).

Check your inbox! The first issue of COP29 Dispatch is a special preview edition. Read today's newsletter to make sure you're up-to-speed when the negotiations start on Monday. Here are the key takeaways for U.S. policymakers: 🌍 COP29 will have a strong focus on international climate finance, specifically the new collective quantified goal on climate finance. 🌍 Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and 58 bipartisan legislators wrote a letter to encourage the State Department to urge the COP29 presidency, Azerbaijan, to rectify its record of human rights abuses. 🌍 The State Department will lead U.S. engagement at COP29. Not yet subscribed to EESI's daily coverage of the international climate summit? Go to eesi.org/signup #COP29 #COP29Azerbaijan #Baku #UnitedNations #ClimateDiplomacy

WHERE WILL COP GO NOW? Club of Rome wants a New Approach CNN -- "Amid the chaos, prominent global climate leaders on Friday issued an open letter calling for a “fundamental overhaul” of the entire UN climate process. It was originally published saying the annual talks, known as Conferences of the Parties (COPs), were “no longer fit for purpose,” but that language was quickly removed." COP29 marks the third year in a row that the climate talks have been held in either a petrostate, or economy that relies heavily on oil and gas. The previous two were held in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, and all three were criticized for alleged human rights abuses in the run-up to their events. Among the open letter’s recommendations is to implement a “strict eligibility criteria to exclude countries who do not support the phase out/transition away from fossil energy” from holding COP presidencies. Increasingly, the annual conferences have welcomed fossil fuel interests into the fold. This year, more than 1,700 fossil fuel lobbyists or industry players had been registered to attend the talks, according to an analysis by a coalition of groups called Kick Big Polluters Out..." But that would defeat the purpose if Big Emitters were kicked out... Non? Where is money for energy transition going to come from? The UN wants to "Tax the Rich". The COP Organizers are Ideological Purists... they want to avoid sullied sleeves mixing with Fossil Users. Better to stay in the Temple of Green and conduct Virtue Signalling Seminars. FAIL. They saw oodles of cash piling up from "carbon trading". It crashed like ENRON. The UN is not credible as a Fund Manager, nor as a Project Manager. COP needs a Reboot. #CarbonFinance G20 is a more reasonable forum: 75% of GDP and 75% of Emissions. Credit worthy. https://lnkd.in/geY_-PDp

🗣️"The UN climate talks have delivered more collective agreements in the last two decades than any other multilateral process. They have mobilised billions, driven new policy-making and new government targets around the world, unlocked a swathe of investment and business action. But carbon emissions continue to go up, and we need to do more." CISL Chief Systems Change Officer, Eliot Whittington, unpacks the #COP29 outcomes in our latest blog - which some describe as an important breakthrough while others call a betrayal of promises - in a year of intense political upheaval with a rise of nationalism. What is certain is that we need to be doing more globally and collaboratively. 📖Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/eSRFt7-u #CISLCOP29 #COP29Baku

Day 2 of #COP29 sees UK announcing a 81% / 2035 emissions target, up from the 78% pledge of the previous government & a clear advance on the 68% / 2030 target. In his address to the conference UK PM Starmer emphasized the intertwining of international security in all its guises with climate action. "Let me be clear. There is no national security…There is no economic security…There is no global security…Without climate security." Meanwhile, China's special envoy for climate change Liu Zhenmin has been stressing the need for international cooperation in a pre COP interview with Xinhua & again with reporters at a side event on arrival in Baku. Read more: Gov.uk 12/11/2024 UK shows international leadership in tackling climate crisis https://lnkd.in/eiFZd6qr Gov.uk 12/11/2024 PM remarks at COP29 https://lnkd.in/eqdCQYvJ English.Gov.cn / Xinhua 12/11/2024 China's special envoy calls for joint efforts to tackle climate change https://lnkd.in/g-ZBdt2H FT: 13/11/2024 China urges ‘constructive dialogue’ on climate change under Donald Trump https://lnkd.in/g7De4mWD Coming Up! Special briefing with Principles for Responsible Investment. 'Net zero transition after COP29 & US elections' In this special event following COP29 and the US elections, IPR and PRI will assess the long-term implications for investors of these decisive events in the transition towards net zero. Date: Thursday, 5th December 2024  Time: 14:00 - 15:00 GMT Registration: https://lnkd.in/gmSuzvYE Responsible Investor is a media partner for this webinar event. #iprforecasts #COP29 #transition #netzero #investment #volatility

The article discusses that people aren't going to CoP29 because, 'many see this [CoP as] one focused on a fight between the rich countries and poor countries. Well, no shit Sherlock! ____ From the article: Trump plans a US exit from the 2016 Paris Agreement that sets the COP’s objectives, including the goal of keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees. He may even seek to withdraw the US from the 1992 treaty that governs the whole international climate co-operation process. “There is a large shadow looming over COP29 following the US election. What is supposed to be the Finance COP just lost a major financier, leaving a gap too big for others to backfill,” said Richie Merzian, a former Australian government COP negotiator who now heads the Clean Energy Investor Group. Even before this seismic shift in the US, a host of other world leaders had already decided to skip the summit this year. The absentees will include France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Olaf Scholz, Canada’s Justin Trudeau, the European Union’s Ursula von der Leyen, India’s Narendra Modi, China’s Xi Jinping, and the potential hosts of the next two summits: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. And many of the big-hitting global corporate executives who have made a habit of attending the COP, at least since Glasgow three years ago, are also skipping the summit in Baku – even though the overarching theme is financial. As the Financial Times recently reported, many execs see this [CoP as] one focused mostly on a government-to-government fight between the rich countries and poor countries. ___ As with the biodiversity CoP 16 and the lack of progress towards its 2030 targets, the climate CoPs have clearly become useless in their current format, reflecting the fact that no government anywhere has taken the necessary steps to achieve the Paris target. https://lnkd.in/gsJ69U-2