The core of the UNFCCC's budget comes from its almost 200 member countries.
Former New York city mayor Michael Bloomberg is joining with other US climate organizations to fund the United States entire 21% contribution to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This will allow the organization to remain fully functional in the wake of Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. This contribution will continue at least until the United States is able to rejoin the Paris Agreement.
I dislike the existence of billionaires as much as the next person, but it is refreshing to see one of them actually using their money to do a net good for the planet.
The Trump administration is pulling the United States out of the bedrock treaty that underpins international cooperation on climate change,
Andrew Freedman, Ella Nilsen, and Samantha Waldenberg at CNN:
The Trump administration is pulling the United States out of the bedrock treaty that underpins international cooperation on climate change, along with dozens of other global bodies, according to a memorandum released by the White House Wednesday evening and an accompanying social media post.
Such an action, if successful, would leave the US out of international climate change talks and could raise tensions with US allies for whom climate action is a priority.
The agreement in question is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or UNFCCC, which the US joined and Congress ratified in 1992, when George H.W. Bush was in the White House. The agreement does not require the US to cut fossil fuels or pollution, but rather sets a goal of stabilizing the amount of climate pollution in the atmosphere at a level that would “prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human-caused) interference with the climate system.”
It also set up a process for negotiations between countries that have come to be known as the annual UN climate summits. It was under the UNFCCC’s auspices that the Kyoto Protocol was negotiated in 1995, and the Paris Agreement in 2015 — two monumental moments of global cooperation and progress toward limiting harmful climate pollution.
The Trump Regime hands a W to climate change denialists by pulling out of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The infrastructure required to host COP30 in Belém is undermining the cause, campaigners say.
Have the authorities in Belém never heard of trains?
For a given capacity to carry freight or passengers, a railway involves a much smaller disturbance of the land. Even the most sophisticated high–speed railways use less concrete and steel than a lane of motorway. In the process of carrying a given number passenger–kilometers, or tonne–kilometers of freight, a railway uses far less energy than road vehicles. And electrifying railways is practically trivial, established practice at least since the overhead wire was strung on the New York New Haven & Hartford 112 years ago or so.
review of the notes from my first day of the UN COP29 Climate Change Conference. Disclaimer I'm just a ~silly guy~ not a policy or geopolitical expert. My observations and opinions do not reflect AC or RINGOs. This is what I witnessed, overheard, remember, and (crucially) understand, and may not be representative of final policy decisions.
I was in the Blue Zone today (official UN ground, where negotiations occur). From the RINGO meeting, rumor was the night before COP29 officially began officials were up till 4 am arguing about the agenda. Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement (mechanisms of carbon markets) was deeply contested in particular. Also arguments about unilateral and multilateral trade agreements. Also weather Global Stocktake (assessment of global progress on Paris Agreement) would be filed under general or financial sections. US/EU/Australia/smaller island nations were wanting it to be considered broader, with BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) wanting it under strictly Finance. More Paris Agreement stuff.
This resulted in the opening plenary beginning at 11 am, followed immediately by break for closed door discussions on the second item of the day, the agenda. This was a completely unprecedented delay, and the agenda was only resolved at 9pm.
This is the previous COP president Sultan Al Jaber, who did the opening address of plenary and handed over the presidency to Muhktar Babayev (photo below) with an embrace.
Notes of claims from Babayev's address to the plenary body:
We are set to break records on renewable energy and its investment.
There is a goal of low-carbon growth (as opposed to zero, which I think is an important distinction)
853 million put into the Loss and Damage fund
A call to increase climate financing ambitions. This is not charity, but in the self interest of all countries who with to mitigate the ethical and economical consequences of climate change.
A reinforcement of the call to transition away from fossil fuels (important, as last year is the first time such phrasing was used for the UNFCCC)
Emphasizing the cooperation required of everyone.
Genocide and the environment
Social justice is deeply tied into climate change efforts. Here in the Blue Zone we had a demonstration to end genocide (as relevant by its massive carbon emissions, if the human rights angle doesn't suffice), with particular emphasis on Palestine and reclaiming Indigenous lands. Demonstrations within the blue zone are allowed with permission, and can have a maximum of 20 people actively participating. Those in solidarity of the demonstration raised their fists in support. Also, this could not happen in the Green Zone (public conference) due to it being controlled by the host country, and Azerbaijan has strict laws against protests.
USAmerican election and its future climate policy
I proceeded to get rather lost trying to find a conference on USAmerican climate response to the Trump election, but got there too late because the Blue Zone is massive oof. Did catch the people coming out, and the strategy thus far is that the Biden administration's environmental policies were designed to endure regime shifts and should be difficult to undo without significant political effort. So, we'll be unfortunately testing that durability, particularly with how Trump likes to flout the rules and the Supreme Court deemed that legal.
Additionally, NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) are due in February but the US may potentially do theirs sooner before the regime shift. Effectiveness is questionable because the accountability of countries upholding their NDCs is already kinda honor code.
Subfederal action is going to be a main proponent of climate action from here on.
Conference: Transparency for transforming the agrifood system
I...must admit I was constantly blacking out and jerking back awake during this meeting because of jet lag. So the merit of these notes may be questionable particularly bc I'm having trouble reading them. However, notes from representatives from Mongolia, Pakistan, Georgia, UN, and others.
10% of global green house gas emissions are from agriculture (Technically this was from Babayev's speech but I think it's a useful reference point for this conversation. Production, manufacturing, distribution, and waste of food produces a lot of emissions).
Data quality is of large concern for transparency and effectiveness of implementation purposes. Countries have different methodologies and argue about which is superior, and the quality of others' methods. This can be particularly of note in the carbon markets. Data collection is a large logistical and technological challenge.
Everyone wants increased transparency. Or claim to. I think, aside from technical difficulties in data collection and funding thereof, the countries would actually prefer others are transparent and less themselves to be. As evidenced by things like high levels of methane unaccounted by the summation of all countries' submitted emission reports. But that's just my opinion.
BTRs (Biennial transparency reports) are difficult, and the country representatives present were apologizing for delays.
Calls for increase of human capacity. Imma be level that seems like a vague ideal to me, but I think it might mean carrying capacity (kinda a deeply flawed concept already, sustainability is extremely difficult to ascertain without prolonged unsustainability to confirm it)
Double counting is a problem for carbon removals
Efforts to work with farmers in data collection and to better improve their methods
A claim on carbon neutral livestock farming to balance cattle methane emissions with soil carbon sequestering through grazingland ecosystem management.
Conversion of carbon sink ecosystems into farmland. From personal research: In 2019, 17% of global cropland was newly converted since 2003, and the rate of yearly conversion is accelerating.
Potentially using IPCC software for consistency in data collection and analysis
Ecocide as a tool of war
Lastly, there are country pavilions in the Blue Zone where they raise issues. I did not particularly look too much into most of them, but would like to share Ukraine's because it was amazing imo.
One, the walls are literally full of seeds, and I think it will be really cool seeing them begin to sprout by the end of the conference
Two, how destroying the environment is a concentrated effort to destroy its people. Because again, protecting the environment/climate is protecting the people.
Lastly, these solar panels damaged in the war. A large emphasis in this pavilion was rebuilding from the bombing and coming back greener, which I found particularly admirable. The bravery to forge something new while grieving the comfort of what was lost. The circumstances presenting the opportunity to reinvent their infrastructure is obviously horrendous, but seizing said opportunity nonetheless is inspiring. Renewable energy is also a way to be energy independent, which is particularly important if you’re say Ukraine and the closest major oil exporter is Russia.
Now, I had left the Blue Zone by then (needed dinner where there isn't price gouging! Yikes!) but plenary did eventually assume very late, and massive progress on Article 6 was made!
COP29 Update: What Agreement on Article 6.4 Means for Carbon Markets | BeZero Carbon
This is about Carbon Markets, some people are happy others aren't, etc. Also the agenda was implement as the original plan (GST under finance) with acknowledgements made that it was broader consideration. And now plenary can actually continue instead of being stymied! In consideration for the day of lost time, sessions will run later than usual. After today it's going to get busy!
Do you know what COP is? Here's what it means and why it is essential?Total 197 countries have signed the treaty and come together every year to take actions...
Do you know what COP is? Here's what it means and why it is essential? Total 197 countries have signed the treaty and come together every year to take actions together to stabilise greenhouse gas emissions and avoid dangerous climate change. We need to protect, what protects us - NATURE The more nature is at risk, more vulnerable we are.This is why we need to aim high at COP to reduce climatic change, save nature and planet for future generations.
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