COP 29: A world heating up - time for bold multilateral steps towards climate justice

Since 2011, the Socialist International has led the drive and has monitored the progress regarding the steps to transit from a high carbon economy to a low carbon society. It also has consistently supported the efforts of the United Nations through the multilateral framework of the Conference of the Parties (COP). The adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2016 set a major milestone for this challenging venture and today with 194 parties committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate change is mainly a result of the greenhouse effect caused by the increase of CO2 produced by human activities. This gradually extends its impact on our daily lives entailing, amongst others, extreme weather conditions. From destructive floods in Africa and Asia to severe heavy rains causing major tragedies like the recent one in Spain, to hurricanes in the Americas, to wildfires in Australia and across the Mediterranean, all these phenomena are merely the tip of the iceberg of the consequences of Climate Change. They are increasingly and directly affecting almost all regions around the world and millions of citizens.

Thus, it is as important as ever to weaken the arguments of climate change sceptics, counter misinformation and fake news with science and verified facts, and strengthen the global coalition of countries, cities, political parties, and organizations that understand the urgency to move swiftly and with determination.

Taking into account the concerns of the increase of natural disasters linked to climate change, we firmly support boosting the implementation of the UN’s “Early Warning for All” initiative. We find it essential to ensure protection and lifesaving means for everyone on Earth through the universal coverage of a multi-hazard early warning system by 2027.

Our main goals remain fixed and will not be moved: global temperature should not rise above pre-industrial levels over 1.5 degrees C. Greenhouse gas emissions should reach net zero by the middle of the 21st century. 

Where do we stand now? Climate has warmed rapidly in the past decades. In the last ten years, land average annual temperatures have risen from 1.21 degrees C in the first decade of the millennium to 1.81 degrees C, above the set goal. At the global level, existing data show that global average atmospheric dioxide reached a new record high.

The European Climate Law adopted by the EU in 2021 represents a path to reach specific results. Net greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the EU between 1990 and 2022 fell by 31%, and 8% more in 2023. This is remarkable progress for reaching the goal to reduce GHG emissions by at least 55% in 2030 and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

However, the efforts made at EU level are insufficient. This is a global challenge. We cannot afford another year of record temperatures and rising emissions. This year's COP 29 will be a big test for the multilateral efforts to make solid steps forward.

The Socialist International has recurrently underlined the urgency to agree on an ambitious finance goal to enable climate action in developing countries, which cannot address adaptation and enforce mitigation measures without an ambitious program entailing climate finance. In the UN’s “Pact for the Future” it was recognized that adaptation finance will have to be significantly scaled-up to enhance resilience in developing countries.

As a matter of fact, those countries less pollutant will endure most of the impacts and consequences of climate change. Developing countries and small island states are the most vulnerable. The climate crisis is threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions of people across the Global South through fires, floods, food shortages, increased migration flows and increased forced displacement.

Big polluters must implement the pledge of “common but differentiated responsibility,” the principle that those who contributed the most to the problem must contribute with more means to the cause.

Therefore, COP 29 is the opportunity to make bold decisions for climate justice. The time is now.