New Delhi: The next round of countries’ national climate plans to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius should cover all greenhouse gases, including methane, and sectors of economy, the presidencies of the previous COP and the next two UN climate change conferences said on Thursday (March 21). The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) should include policies which deliver 60 per cent emission reduction compared to 2019 levels, before 2035, the COP Presidencies Troika said at the opening segment of the two-day Copenhagen climate ministerial which began in the Danish capital on Thursday.
The ministerial meeting is the first major climate gathering since COP28 in Dubai last December and an opportunity for climate leaders to set expectations and priorities for COP29 in Azerbaijan in November.
The discussions will have a strong focus on the next climate finance goal – the biggest issue on the COP29 agenda – and the next generation of national climate plans NDCs) that all countries are required to update by early 2025.
COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber said the next round of NDCs represent “a critical tool for correcting course” on climate action. He said,
Parties must do the work now to ensure that their NDCs meet the urgency of the moment – and are submitted at least nine months before COP30. NDCs should be economy-wide and cover all greenhouse gases – including methane.
The COP28 president called for attendees to “follow the science” and ensure energy transition pathways are “just, orderly and responsible”.
The COP Presidencies Troika also issued a letter to Parties, committing the three Presidencies’ host countries to submit 1.5 degrees Celsius aligned NDCs by early 2025.
The Troika has also submitted a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to “ensure there is a unified, coherent, and effective technical support framework to member states, particularly developing countries, to prepare and implement the next generation of their NDCs”.
The ministerial meeting will focus on the next climate finance goal – the biggest issue on the COP29 agenda – and the next generation of national climate plans that all countries are required to update by early 2025.
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The next two years until COP30 are the most consequential of the ‘critical decade’ for climate safety and for keeping multilateralism alive in a context of geopolitical turmoil, experts have said.
The Troika has also submitted a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to “ensure there is a unified, coherent, and effective technical support framework to member states, particularly developing countries, to prepare and implement the next generation of their NDCs”.
The president of the next UN climate conference, Mukhtar Babayev, said negotiations on the new climate finance goal at COP29 in Azerbaijan will be an opportunity to unlock funds and rebuild trust between the parties. Mr Babayev said,
Finance underpins everything and is a critical enabler of climate action… “Finance is at the heart of climate diplomacy this year.
He said many are losing trust in the UNFCCC process due to the “growing gap in their needs and what’s available” and urged all to work tirelessly to mobilise resources.
UNFCCC Secretary General Simon Steill said climate finance needs to be “bigger and better” to undo the deadlock between developed and developing countries. He said,
We’re talking trillions, not billions. That is going to require more from all sources and serious conversations about making new innovative sources real, rather than just words on a page.
Developing countries, including India, are calling for USD 1 trillion a year to support their climate plans, which is tough as rich countries have yet to deliver on their commitment to provide USD 100 billion to developing countries to deal with climate impacts.
According to the latest assessments, developed countries mobilised and delivered USD 89.6 billion in 2021. The failure to meet the USD 100 billion goal fully has eroded trust and been a continual source of contention during negotiations.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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