BAKU, Monday 18 November 2024 — As the second week of the COP29 climate conference gets underway, Greenpeace Australia Pacific has urged Minister Chris Bowen to crank up negotiations and deliver an ambitious new finance package following a week of “mostly unhelpful” progress on climate policy.
Minister Bowen arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan on the weekend to announce Australia’s new funding for Pacific nations, a $125 million package to support the Pacific’s renewable energy transition, which Greenpeace has welcomed.
The first week saw the most polluting nations continue to block progress on the critical issue of finance, questionable policy on carbon markets gavelled through, and the President of the host nation declare fossil fuels “a gift from God”.
Speaking from Baku, Shiva Gounden, Head of Pacific at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “After a week of meagre and mostly unhelpful developments, the talks must crank up in the coming days. At every COP we see huge battles play out between the Global North and South, each with opposing interests — the North to continue business as usual, the South to survive.
“As rich nations here in Baku fight to drive climate finance ambition down to the lowest possible level, the climate crisis continues to bear its teeth as Super Typhoon Man-yi bears down on the Philippines after weeks of severe storms. The lives, livelihoods and security of those most impacted by the climate crisis must be centred as we enter week two of negotiations.
“I am hopeful this week leaders will deliver an ambitious agreement on a new climate finance package, but what it looks like will matter. To adequately compensate for the climate destruction unfolding this needs to be closer to trillions, not billions, and without the loopholes and strings that rich countries will try to negotiate. If we fail in Baku, we are failing real people and communities, including our Pacific family.”
Also in Baku Dr Susie Byers, Head of Advocacy at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “As co-chair of the finance goal negotiations, Minister Chris Bowen has an enormous opportunity, but also responsibility, to deliver a progressive and fit-for-purpose new package that will see major polluters pay for the climate damage they’ve caused.
“Any finance deal must include loss and damage — an essential element of climate finance and a key ask of the Small Island Developing States, including the Pacific.
“What the world needs as we enter the last days of negotiations is high ambition and it’s the Pacific and small island developing states who continue to push for the highest ambition at these conferences. With their power and moral authority they put the whole world on notice — as a member of the Pacific family, Australia must support these asks.”
—ENDS—
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