COP29 - We are One with the Earth
After reflecting back on a super charged week, we are entering into COP29 in Baku. More than ever, we feel the need to stand united for the Earth.
Opening COP29 by being present
COP29 is on. While it might be tempting to be thinking of what President Elect Trump will or won’t do, doing so won't deliver the required outcome here in Baku. Negotiators are joining with their marching orders from capitals in their pockets, so focusing on who hasn't made it to Baku to take the podium seems just another form of inertia that overlooks those who are here to walk the talk.
Leaders presence for climate justice
Leaders of the most climate vulnerable countries will be present. For them it is vital to land a deal at one of the few spaces where they can fight to deliver some real world change for their countries and communities. Impacts are only escalating, the urgency and needs are no less than a week ago. Storms, floods, and wildfires super-sized by climate change inflicted over $350 billion losses last year alone. It would be fitting that at Baku - where the first oil well was tapped - diplomats advance the new energy transition.
Eyes focused on the Goal
It's crunch time on climate finance. The finance deal needs to be struck in Baku - not bounced to Belem. After three years of talks on the Newly Collective Quantified Goal, the clock is ticking. There is a landing zone if ministers unblock sticky issues around the quantum and contributor base. Many developing countries have come forward with their propositions - developed countries now need to step up and show their cards. The cash is there - from rechanneling subsidies, to taxing the wealthy and the biggest polluters - the political will needs to follow.
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CLIMATE POLICY ASKS & PRIORITIES
We are present at COP29, focusing on these priorities:
COP29 is the “finance COP” and it must unlock innovative sources of funding, unprecedented levels of resources and investments and ambitious policies to protect climate, people and nature. We stand united as a global climate community, calling for:
SCALING UP INNOVATIVE SOURCES OF FINANCE:
A New Collective Quantified Goal for climate finance surpasses US$1 trillion per year.
The mobilization of public and private sources of finance, as well as new innovative sources of finance such as contributions from Financial Transaction Taxes, 1% Pledge from multinational companies and top wealthy individuals and Carbon mechanisms on global aviation and maritime transport
The urgent phase out of fossil fuels’ subsidies and investment in fossil fuel projects and infrastructures, shifting these financial flows towards clean and renewable energy sources for all.
CONNECTING THE DOTS FOR CLIMATE, FOOD & NATURE
Ambitious and investable Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to mobilize funding into nature-based solutions as well as systemic shifts in the energy, transport and food sectors. Scaling up investment in plant-based food and plant-based proteins is a major driver of positive change for people, planet and health.
An arch of ambition towards COP30 in Brazil, bridging the connections between the Rio Conventions and other environmental conventions, in particular for a global commitment to end deforestation by 2030. This means public sector reforms to environmentally harmful subsidy flows and that the private sector redirects finance flows away from activities that are driving unsustainable conversion, towards nature-positive solutions.
MAKING FEMALE LEADERSHIP, INCLUSION, DIVERSITY THE BEATING HEARTS OF COP
Women: Equal Representation and Gender Balance at all levels of decision-making are essential to change the rules of the game and ensure better outcomes in climate negotiations. Less than 0.01% of global funding supports projects that address both climate and women’s rights, making Gender Responsive Climate Finance an uttermost priority.
Youth Meaningful Participation: Youth leaders also need to be given a seat at the table, fully on-boarded into the decision-making structures and not just invited to speak on panels in a tokenistic way. Access to funding is also essential especially for youth leaders from the Global South who may not be able to fund their participation to COP.
Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities: more direct finance also needs to flow to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and be delivered locally so that communities have access to funding to enable their leadership in protecting and restoring nature and delivering the transition to a nature-positive and climate-resilient local economy.
COP29 ENGAGEMENT
1. Meeting UNFCCC COP29 Delegations and Uniting with Partners to advocate for joint climate policy asks and priorities
Building a Bridge for a Comprehensive COP29 Finance Package : Share the narrative “ We need to build a bridge for a 3 part finance package” from the global climate community partnership we have joined as Climate Bridges with Global Optimism, Mission 2025 and Groundswell
Phasing out fossil fuels: Sign the open letter to the COP29 Presidency and support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
Growing the coalition of supporters for the Geneva Pledge for Gender-Responsive Climate Action – including gender responsive climate finance: See the Geneva Pledge already endorsed by 66 International Gender Champions, Member States, UN and civil society organizations and join the movement by endorsing the Pledge
2. Hosting, Supporting or Participating in events
13/11/2024 - High-Level Roundtable Event, "Making Progress on Nature Finance: From Cali to Belem," on Wednesday, 13th November, from 13:00-14:30 (local time) in Room Mugham at the COP29 Blue Zone – with High-Level Champions. This session will explore the critical journey from CBD COP16 and UNFCCC COP29 towards COP30, offering an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss outcomes from CBD COP16 that inform the trajectory forward onto COP30 on how to best advance the co-benefits and synergies across climate and nature finance whilst ensuring increased transparency, reporting and accountability. This high-level roundtable, convened by HE Razan Al Mubarak, COP28 High-Level Champion and IUCN President, will bring together leaders from governments, public and private financial institutions, and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to discuss actions that will maintain and increase ambition on nature finance.
19/11/2024 - High-Level Panel Discussion, COP29 Global Climate Action Roadmap: “Collaborative Pathways to Net-Zero and Beyond” on Tuesday, 19th November, from 16:00 to 18:00 (local time) in the Arctic Pavilion, D17, at COP29 Blue Zone – with UNFCCC, Climate Bridges, COP29 Presidency Ministry of Education and scientists from academia and research. This session will address Policy & Finance for building a global green economy, Technology & Innovation for pioneering the next generation of climate solutions, and Equity & Inclusion for a just transition for All.
20/11/2024 - Trust Circle – We are One: Building a Bridge between Inner and Outer transformation, on Wednesday 20th of November, from 13:00 to 14:00 in the Action on Food Hub, Plenary room program here https://www.eitfood.eu/action-on-food-hub/wednesday-november-20-nutrition-health-day , at COP29 Blue Zone – with Climate Bridges, Action on Food, Listening Inspires, Global Optimism community. Addressing the climate crisis and regenerating the Earth requires a conscious shift in individual and collective mindsets alongside the required shifts in food systems for climate, people and nature; it entails a societal shift touching on ethics, inner and outer transformations, emotions and our notions of success and progress. To enact this transition, we must build a bridge between the external and internal transformation required. Come together for a deep dialogue alongside other climate practitioners, facilitated by climate leader Elise Buckle. This event is being planned in partnership with CoFSA and Listening Inspires co-founder Charlotte Dufour. Create space for deep connection, exploring the grief and opportunity that comes with working in climate and leave feeling deeply aware and regenerated. This is a special moment of mindfulness and deep reconnection with like-minded climate leaders from the global climate and nature community that were brought together by Christiana Figueres, Plum Village and Global Optimism teams in 2024.
21/11/2024 - One Humanity – One Planet with a focus on nature, gender, inclusion & diversity, on Thursday November 21st, from 10:00 onwards, at the Extreme Hangout, in the COP29 Green Zone, open to all, see program here https://www.extremehangoutcop29.com/sessions/11-01 and more details online soon. In partnership with Sustainability without Borders, Swiss Youth for Climate delegates and Climate Bridges.
21/11/2024 - Climate Consciousness Summit – open to all, online, with Khulan Berger & Elise Buckle joining the global climate community, from Baku at 8:30 pm local time, a special gathering hosted by Kosha Joubert, CEO of the Pocket Project and Founder of the Summit: https://climateconsciousness.net/.
22/11/2024 - COP29 Closing Statement – will be made available as Online News
3. Amplifying Women and Youth Climate Leaders Voices
Women Leading on Climate with SHE Builds Bridges
WE Build Bridges for Climate & Sustainability
COP29 DELEGATION TEAM AND SPOKESPERSONS
Elise Buckle, COP29 Head of Delegation, President/ CEO Climate Bridges, International Gender Champions Climate Impact Group Co-Chair, Founder SHE Builds Bridges - Contact: elise@climate-bridges.org
Khulan Berger, Youth Ambassador for Climate Bridges, Regional Director for My Blue Planet - Contact: khulan.berger@myblueplanet.ch
Roxane Kiefer, Co-President of Swiss Youth for Climate, COP29 delegate for week 1 - Contact: roxane.kiefer@syfc.ch
Leïla Reau, President of Swiss Youth for Climate, COP29 delegate for week 2 - Contact: leila.reau@syfc.ch
YOU ARE NOT AT COP BUT YOU STILL WANT TO GET INVOLVED
Contact our Climate Community Manager: Lauriane@climate-bridges.org
Cc: contact@climate-bridges.org
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES – BE ONE MENTORING
We are aware that there is a lot happening in the climate space these days. It can be challenging to navigate all the thinking and emotions emerging every day, in the present moment. To support you and your peers we have set up the peer-to-peer Be One Mentoring platform. Together we can change our ways of seeing, speaking, acting and being in the world to become catalyst climate leaders, bringing about positive impacts, serving our communities while building personal resilience. This is an inclusive and heart-centered community of high-trust climate leaders helping each other with care, compassion and humility. You are welcome to join the Be One Mentoring platform today here.
Learn about what we do here and join the broader community, and receive COP29 updates and climate news, you can become a Member of Climate Bridges, you can sign up here.