‘Travesty of justice’: Cop29’s controversial deal

2024/11/25

Science Weekly

达

达米安·卡林顿

达米安·卡林顿：COP29在阿塞拜疆这个石油和天然气依赖型专制国家举行，本身就具有争议性。会议之前，大量虚假社交媒体账号宣传阿塞拜疆及其举办COP的情况，而我的报道也因此成为一些人的攻击目标。会议谈判过程艰难，最终达成的协议中，发达国家承诺到2035年每年向发展中国家提供3000亿美元资金，但1.3万亿美元的目标并未实现。发展中国家对此表示强烈不满，认为这是对正义的嘲弄。尽管如此，由于这是发展中国家与发达国家对话的唯一平台，他们别无选择，只能接受这个协议。发达国家承诺的资金虽然数额巨大，但与气候变化带来的潜在损失相比，仍然是相对划算的投资。此外，化石燃料公司也应该为气候变化承担更多责任。 COP29在减少化石燃料使用方面进展有限，沙特阿拉伯等国试图削弱去年的相关承诺。沙特代表团甚至直接编辑了官方谈判文本，这是违反联合国规定的行为。关于减少化石燃料使用的谈判最终陷入僵局，相关问题将推迟到下一次会议讨论。尽管COP29取得的进展有限，但气候变化的严重性不容忽视，任何进展都是积极的。可再生能源的成本正在下降，最终将取代化石燃料，但气候危机的速度比世界绿化的速度更快。巴西将主办下一届COP，他们对气候行动持积极态度，但其最新的气候计划并未提及减少石油和天然气产量的具体措施。下一届COP的关键议题是各国自主贡献，即各国需要制定并提交其气候行动计划。巴西比阿塞拜疆更有能力举办COP会议，但他们也面临着巨大的挑战。马德琳·芬利：作为主持人，马德琳·芬利主要负责引导访谈，提出问题，并对达米安·卡林顿的观点进行总结和补充。她强调了COP29协议的不足之处，以及气候变化的紧迫性。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

What was the key financial agreement reached at COP29?

COP29 agreed that rich countries should deliver $300 billion annually to developing nations by 2035, with a target of reaching $1.3 trillion annually by the same year.

Why did developing countries react negatively to the COP29 deal?

Developing countries, particularly India, called the deal a 'travesty of justice,' arguing that $300 billion annually was inadequate compared to the $1.3 trillion they initially requested.

What was the EU's stance on the COP29 financial agreement?

The EU Commission of Climate Change argued that the $300 billion deal was the maximum feasible given global financial constraints and could help spur more investment in climate action.

How did fossil fuel companies' profits compare to the climate finance pledges?

Fossil fuel companies have made $1 trillion annually in profit for the past 50 years, and recent profits have been even higher due to high energy prices. This contrasts sharply with the $300 billion climate finance pledge.

What was the outcome of the discussions on phasing out fossil fuels at COP29?

The discussions on phasing out fossil fuels resulted in a deadlock. Saudi Arabia and its allies tried to weaken the commitment, leading to a decision to revisit the issue at the next COP meeting in June.

Why is the upcoming COP30 in Brazil considered a potential improvement over COP29?

COP30 in Brazil is expected to be better run due to Brazil's diplomatic and organizational capabilities, as opposed to Azerbaijan's lack of experience. Brazil is also more committed to climate action, despite being a significant oil and gas producer.

Shownotes Transcript

Madeleine Finlay hears from the Guardian’s environment editor, Damian Carrington, about the controversial climate finance deal that brought Cop29 negotiations to a close in the early hours on Sunday morning in Baku, Azerbaijan. Developing countries asked rich countries to provide them with $1.3tn a year to help them decarbonise their economies and cope with the effects of the climate crisis. But the final deal set a pledge of just $300bn annually, with $1.3tn only a target. Damian tells Madeleine how negotiations unfolded, and what we can expect from next year’s conference in Brazil. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod)

‘Travesty of justice’: Cop29’s controversial deal 15:31 Share