After an impactful first week in Azerbaijan, we're taking a look back at Climate Group’s COP29 highlights.
The US elections just days before the world descended to Baku, set the tone for an eerie COP29, but nobody predicted this watered down, ‘technical’ conference of parties, would bring so many ‘highs’ – UK stepping up as global climate leaders with their ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Under2 Coalition governments showing the world what subnational leadership looks like, a lonesome protester in a cowboy hat waving a flag outside the green zone that reads: daily we can feed easily 9 billion by going vegetarian (because in the fight against climate change, every voice matters). And ‘lows’ – at least half of the agenda has no text, and there’s generally very little progress made on the all-important New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG).
Monday 11 November – The Under2 Coalition and Climate Group delegation arrived in Baku with a clear message: For Subnational Governments, It’s Game On. Speaking to the press later that day at the Local Government and Municipal Authority (LGMA) press conference, California’s Natural Resources Secretary, Wade Crowfoot reminded the world that “subnational governments need to be seen and need to be treated as the effective partners that we are.”
Wade Crowfoot LGMA address at COP29
Tuesday 12 November – The UK Government announced an 81% reduction in emissions, a move that Climate Group CEO, Helen Clarkson hailed as “a strong signal from the UK Government at a COP that is sorely lacking global leadership.” And called on the government’s climate action plans to be “investible and have a clear implementation pathway.” Our Under2 Coalition members, Scotland and Wales acknowledged the ambitious commitment. First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change for Wales, Huw Irranca welcomed the new UK Government’s leadership at COP29, while Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy for Scotland, Gillian Martin said she looks forward to “continuing to work with the UK Government on the critical UK-wide actions that need to be taken which will support our climate ambitions.”
Wednesday 13 November – Halfway through the week things were heating up (geopolitically, Argentina pulled out of COP negotiations following a meeting with Trump and physically, the blue zone felt like a sauna, those infamous COP water bottles really came in handy this year). So, what happened? Brazil announced its National Determined Contributions (NDCs) to which Climate Group’s Executive Director for Governments and Policy, Champa Patel said: “to stay within 1.5 degrees of temperature rise, we need a higher ambition, especially as it’s (Brazil) hosting COP30.” But, the Brazil NDC came through on recognising the role of subnational governments with a big nod to climate federalism. During the Subnational Climate Action Leaders Exchange (SCALE) event, the Governor of Washington, Jay Inslee, reminded the crowd that “we are not just subnationals, we are supernationals’ – a phrase that will echo all the way to Belem, Brazil as subnational leaders gather for the 10th anniversary of the Under2 Coalition at COP30.”
Helen Clarkson, CEO, Climate Group, opening remarks at the Under2 Coalition General Assembly
Thursday 14 November – It’s finance day and the negotiations are lagging. On the other side of Baku, Helen Clarkson gave her opening remarks at the Under2 Coalition’s ninth General Assembly with a poignant reminder that leaders must“ turn pledges into real-world progress.” Secretary for Environment and Sustainable Development of Minas Gerais, Marilia Carvalho de Melo joined Champa Patel and British actor Theo James at the joint UNHCR/Climate Group event on investing in climate-resilience. Later, Secretary Wade delivered a fiery intervention at the plenary hall on behalf of the Under2 Coalition and LGMA.
Friday 15 November – Under2 Coalition Director, Nehmat Kaur and Head of Advocacy and Policy, Andrew Forth met with South Korean Mayors to discuss ways to accelerate multilevel climate action in South Korea and advance the CHAMP initiative. Forth and Kaur were just in South Korea last month at the Chungnam International Climate Conference. Nehmat Kaur also spoke on the panel of RE100's South Africa event where she said, “Provincial governments are a missing link in the South African renewables journey. In the absence of coordination from the different stakeholders - investors, developers, consumers - both cities and business - provincial governments can own and lead that alignment and accelerate renewable deployment in South Africa."
Saturday 16 November – On day six, 50% of the COP29 agenda items still had no text, or were yet to be agreed. From Cali to Belem, subnational leadership is on the biodiversity agenda as Giorgio Maione, Minister for Environment, Lombardy, Benoit Charette, Minister for Climate Change, Quebec and Sara Aminzadeh, Deputy Secretary for natural resources, California discuss the linkage between nature and climate agendas. “They are intrinsically linked,” said Charette, “We have a seat at the table to make sure climate outcomes reflect the realities of our communities and people.” Climate Group signed a letter coordinated by We Mean Business Coalition and Mission 2025 sending a strong message to G20 leaders. By midday, Climate Group’s Senior Manager, International Advocacy, Toby Walker led an Under2 Coalition intervention, on behalf of LGMA during the AZE COP29 open dialogue on scaling adequate and urgent climate finance. Addressing the panel he said:
“The NCQG text emphasises an all-of-government approach, requiring active involvement of local and subnational governments for effective implementation. This involves:
1. Ensuring these governments have direct access to new financial resources, aligned with global financial architecture reforms, and ensuring the prioritisation of public finance allocation at the governance level closest to affected communities.
2. Recognising subnational governments as existing contributors to financial solutions, directly or indirectly. For example, Scotland pledged £2 million to climate efforts before the UNFCCC Loss and Damage fund was established, and Quebec's International Climate Cooperation Program raised $41 million for multilateral funds, since the Paris Agreement, supporting climate adaptation and mitigation in developing nations."
As G20 kicks-off with a clear call to action for governments to support climate finance while negotiators in Baku struggle to reach an agreement, our heels are not off the pedal just yet. We need an ambitious final text with concrete agreements on finance. COP29 talks can and must take a timely turn and deliver on the bold climate action the world so desperately needs.
Check out our week one Climate Group staff video diaries on Instagram