COP29 is a betrayal of the poorest communities on the frontlines of climate breakdown

Instant reaction last night: Baku is a big F U to climate justice

Speaking from Baku on Sunday, reflecting on the outcome of COP29, Friends of the Earth Ireland climate policy campaigner Seán McLoughlin said:

“Let's be clear on what has happened here in Baku: rich, developed countries have bullied the developing world into accepting a woefully inadequate deal. It is a deal that is entirely divorced from the reality of the global climate crisis. The hypocrisy of the Global North has now been laid bare by their abject failure to step up and pay their climate debt, whilst continuing to allow trillions in subsidies to the fossil fuel industry.”

“Civil society came to COP backing the calls of climate vulnerable countries who have been clear that trillions, not billions, are now needed in public, grant-based finance. After two weeks of bullying and bad faith by the Global North, the most vulnerable have been left to pay the price of the impacts of climate change, whilst the richest continue to shirk their historical obligations. As lives and livelihoods in vulnerable countries are being lost, rich countries have made vague promises to “mobilise” funds in the future, rather than step up and provide them now. These same states continue to dodge their responsibilities by relying on the private sector and developing countries to foot the bill. The door has even been opened to the global carbon market and its disastrous impacts for communities and ecosystems.”

“At COP29, the governments of the Global North had the opportunity to raise the trillions they owe to the Global South by ending fossil fuel handouts and forcing polluters to pay for the harm their destructive products cause. A strong agreement hinged on developed countries not only supporting fossil fuel phase out but also, crucially, providing the trillions of finance needed on fair terms for countries to make this transition a reality.  This opportunity was not taken. We must now raise our voices at home and demand that Ireland and the EU make the fossil fuel polluters pay, and ensure these funds are channelled directly to countries most impacted by climate breakdown. The time for backsliding has passed.”

“This disastrous outcome raises the stakes acutely, as attention now turns to the Brazilian Presidency and the 10 year anniversary of the Paris Agreement next year. In February, all states, including the EU, will have to produce new climate pledges, NDCs. They must seize this moment by committing to phase out fossil fuel consumption and production in a just manner.”

“We must keep demanding trillions, not billions owed in climate debt and a comprehensive, swift and equitable fossil fuel phase-out. The struggle for climate justice is not over.”

Other reactions:

• You can read Friends of the Earth International's response here.
• You can read the reaction of other members of the Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice here.
• You can read the reaction of other members of Climate Action Network International here.
• CommonDreams.org coverage is here.