Day 10 of COP29 was filled with high tensions, deep frustrations, and moments of cautious optimism as negotiations approached their scheduled conclusion.
Here’s a summary of the key developments:
Draft Text Sparks Widespread Disappointment
The overnight release of new draft texts was met with anger and frustration from many delegations. Key sticking points included:
Lack of Climate Finance Figures: The absence of concrete targets for the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) left developing nations frustrated. Placeholder figures, marked as “X,” highlighted ongoing disagreements over how much funding developed nations should commit.
Weak Mitigation Provisions: Countries such as the UK, Spain, and Australia warned that the text risked backtracking on progress to limit global heating to 1.5°C. The failure to reinforce commitments to reduce emissions was viewed as unacceptable given the worsening climate crisis.
Saudi Arabia Defends Fossil Fuels
In an unusually public display, Saudi Arabia openly rejected any language targeting fossil fuels, arguing that no sector should be singled out. This stance was supported by countries such as China and Bolivia.
However, the pushback faced strong opposition from Australia who criticised efforts to minimise or hide references to transitioning away from fossil fuels, calling it a “big step back.” Peru, meanwhile, stressed that reducing emissions requires prioritising a transition away from fossil fuels, not just increasing renewable energy or efficiency.
UN Secretary-General’s Call for Unity
UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Baku to deliver a strong message to negotiators. He warned that failure at COP29 would undermine global climate action and potentially push the world closer to irreversible tipping points.
Guterres urged nations to find common ground, emphasising climate finance as an essential investment in global stability and prosperity and the urgent need for countries to set aside geopolitical differences and focus on achieving ambitious outcomes.
Indonesia’s Bold Commitment
Amid the gridlock, Indonesia surprised many by announcing a plan to phase out all coal-fired and fossil fuel power plants within 15 years, replacing them with over 75GW of renewable energy capacity by 2040. As the world’s largest coal exporter, this marks a significant shift for a nation heavily reliant on coal.
While the commitment was praised, concerns remain over Indonesia’s plans to expand biodiesel production, which has previously contributed to deforestation.
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Day 10 of COP29 saw negotiations reach a critical point, with major disagreements over funding and emission reductions. Many countries are calling for stronger commitments to phase out fossil fuels and expand renewable energy, but opposition remains strong from nations that depend heavily on fossil fuels. Despite these challenges, there has been some progress on issues like adaptation and ensuring a fair transition for affected communities.
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