Special Feature | Challenge and Hope Coexist Baku Climate Conference Conveys Positive Signal of Climate Multilateralism
2024-11-26
On the early morning of the 24th, the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (hereinafter referred to as the "Convention") closed after a delay of more than 30 hours. The conference reached a balanced package of outcomes called the "Baku Climate Solidarity Pact" on key issues such as the new collective quantification target for climate financing (NCQG) and the international carbon market mechanism under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This hard won achievement further consolidates the global trend of green and low-carbon transformation, once again proves the effectiveness of multilateralism and convention mechanisms, and sends a positive signal to the international community that the climate multilateral process is irreversible and all parties cooperate to address the climate crisis. The 30-year governance process of the Climate Convention has been tested, although not smooth sailing, it has always been moving forward. Humanity is a community with a shared future. In the face of the climate crisis, we can only unite, cooperate, and respond together Zhao Yingmin, the head of the Chinese delegation and Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment at COP29, emphasized in his speech at the closing ceremony. Consolidating the global green transformation and achieving renewed success in climate multilateralism, UN Secretary General Guterres pointed out that the outcomes of COP29 were achieved in a geopolitical context full of uncertainty and division. The efforts shown by the contracting parties in finding common ground "prove that multilateralism centered on the Paris Agreement can find solutions to the most difficult problems". On November 15th, in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, people took a photo with the logo of the United Nations Climate Change Baku Conference. After more than two weeks of arduous negotiations, nearly 200 contracting parties finally reached consensus on multiple key issues at the Baku Climate Conference. In particular, the conference has achieved climate funding targets and related arrangements after 2025, setting a goal for developed countries to raise at least $300 billion annually by 2035 to support climate action in developing countries. Beyond funding, the conference has made progress on emission reduction targets, accelerating energy transition, and the key issue of long-term negotiations - the carbon market. At the first part of the closing plenary session held on the evening of the 23rd, the contracting parties broke the long-standing multilateral negotiation deadlock and finally reached an agreement on the international carbon market mechanism under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. At the same time, the conference also made arrangements on the work plan for mitigating climate change and global adaptation goals for climate change. Simon Steele, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Convention, said, "Now is not the time to celebrate victory. We need to look to the future and double our efforts on the road to Bel é m (where COP30 is held). Even so, we have shown that the Paris Agreement is working, but governments still need to accelerate their pace." Climate justice is the focus, and implementing action is a prerequisite. In the face of the climate crisis, no one can be alone. The World Meteorological Organization issued a report warning during the conference that 2024 may become the hottest year on record. The report emphasizes that achieving the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement faces enormous challenges. Developing countries are the biggest victims of climate change, and developed countries bear historical, legal, and moral responsibilities on this issue. In 2009, developed countries pledged to raise $100 billion annually for developing countries to help them adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This commitment is about to expire in 2025. Therefore, the primary task of this conference is to make corresponding arrangements for the global climate funding target after 2025, namely NCQG. This is the exhibition booth at the China Corner of the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on November 11th. During the Baku Climate Conference, China's special envoy for climate change affairs, Liu Zhenmin, pointed out in an interview with Xinhua News Agency reporters that the key to reaching a consensus in climate finance negotiations is for developed countries to make commitments to provide financial assistance to developing countries in accordance with Article 9 of the Paris Agreement and reach the corresponding commitment amount. At the second part of the closing plenary session held in the early morning of the 24th, the conference specifically reached the goal of climate funding after 2025 and related arrangements. However, multiple delegations from developing countries expressed deep disappointment with this funding target. Guterres pointed out that "I had hoped to achieve more ambitious results in terms of funding and emissions reduction to address the enormous challenges we face," and the outcome of this conference "provides a foundation that can be built. He emphasized that the prerequisite is that the agreement must be fully and timely fulfilled, and commitments must be quickly converted into funds. Zhao Yingmin emphasized at the closing ceremony that the financial commitments made by developed countries in the NCQG outcome document reached at the conference fell far short of meeting the needs of developing countries. The financial obligations of developed countries must be further clarified. Adhering to commitments and taking concrete actions, China injects certainty into global climate governance. "We appreciate China's active role in the multilateral process of global climate governance," said Zhu Bari, State Secretary of the Cambodian Ministry of Environment, to reporters. Many developing countries have benefited from China's positive contributions in the field of climate governance. Faced with complex international situations and uncertain future challenges, it is China that injects certainty into global climate governance. Jeffrey Sachs, head of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, believes that China plays a crucial role in addressing global climate change. This is the scene of the China Energy Transition and New Energy Development Summit, which was filmed on November 13th in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. During the conference, China fully participated in the negotiations and consultations on various topics, steadfastly promoting the conference to achieve positive results and actively pushing developed countries to continue fulfilling their commitments, playing a constructive leading role in the successful holding of the conference. China attaches great importance to addressing climate change. During this conference, the "Early Warning for Climate Change Adaptation in China Action Plan" was released, which clearly stated that practical measures such as helping to enhance the early warning and climate change adaptation capabilities of developing countries will be taken to promote the construction of a safer and more climate resilient future. 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. Standing at a new historical starting point, all parties need to not forget their original aspirations, forge ahead, and especially act on the basis of the Paris Agreement without regressing. The key to addressing the global climate crisis lies in adhering to the principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities', upholding multilateralism, working together, and achieving win-win cooperation Zhao Yingmin emphasized at the closing plenary session. (New Society)
Edit：Yi Yi Responsible editor：Li Nian
Source：www.new.cn
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