The UK Priorities for COP29:
The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11-22, 2024. This event marks a pivotal moment in global climate governance, as the climate crisis accelerates and the need for decisive action becomes increasingly urgent. A key focus of COP29 will be finalizing a new climate finance goal, reflecting the scale and urgency of the crisis.
At COP28, held in Dubai, several milestones were achieved. Among these were an agreement on climate loss and damage, a global stocktake to assess progress against the 2015 Paris Agreement, and a consensus to transition away from fossil fuels, though the specifics were debated. As COP29 approaches, global attention is shifting toward the next steps in addressing the climate emergency.
Key Global Themes at COP29
Limiting Global Warming to Below 1.5˚C: One of the core objectives of COP29 remains delivering deep, sustained emission reductions to keep global temperature rise below 1.5˚C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. This target is at risk, and negotiators will focus on strategies to rapidly accelerate global emission cuts.
Enhancing Ambition and Enabling Action: Mobilising resources for climate finance and boosting national commitments, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), will be essential. COP29 will explore ways to close the gap between current financial pledges and the investments needed for both climate mitigation and adaptation.
Inclusive Climate Action: A key priority for COP29 is ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders—governments, businesses, civil society, and marginalized communities—are heard in the climate discussions. Inclusive action will be critical to crafting policies that address the needs of all nations, particularly those most vulnerable to climate impacts.
The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG): One of the major topics of COP29 will be setting a new climate finance target to replace the $100 billion per year goal agreed in 2009. The NCQG aims to surpass this amount to meet the current needs of developing nations and the global climate emergency. Increased funding for both mitigation and adaptation is vital, especially for the countries bearing the brunt of climate change impacts.
The UK's Role at COP29
While the UK has yet to officially announce its priorities for COP29, past policy documents and actions provide strong indicators of the country's likely focus areas.
Keeping Global Temperature Rise Below 1.5˚C: The UK remains committed to limiting temperature rise to within 1.5˚C, but the window for action is rapidly closing, or the work to pull us back from imminent overshoot is the next task at hand. At COP29, the UK is expected to push for deeper emission cuts globally, advocating for both developed and developing nations to step up their climate commitments. In line with this, the UK hopes to launch a Clean Power Alliance with the aim of helping countries leapfrog fossil fuels to transition to clean energy.
Enhancing Climate Resilience and Addressing Biodiversity Loss: The UK will likely advocate for enhanced global resilience to climate change impacts, particularly in vulnerable countries. This could involve improving infrastructure, agriculture, and emergency response systems to better cope with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. The UK will also push for nature-based solutions that address both climate and biodiversity challenges.
Securing an Ambitious Climate Finance Goal: The UK is expected to play a key role in negotiations around the NCQG. Having pledged £11.6 billion in climate finance between 2021 and 2026, the UK will advocate for a more ambitious financial target that supports both carbon reduction and biodiversity restoration. There is a growing emphasis on ensuring that financial mechanisms also support low-income countries and those most affected by climate-induced disasters.
Setting New Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Ahead of COP29, the UK will work to align its domestic policies with global climate commitments, consulting with the Climate Change Committee to set more ambitious targets. These commitments are expected to cover emissions reductions in sectors such as energy, transport, and agriculture.
Parliamentary & Stakeholder Insights
Recent debates in the UK Parliament highlighted key issues related to COP29. MPs expressed concerns over the vulnerability of the Caribbean to climate-induced disasters, calling for the UK to prioritize this region in climate finance discussions. The government has emphasized its commitment to supporting vulnerable nations, particularly through its role in the Loss and Damage Fund, to which it has pledged £40 million.
At the same time, MPs have questioned the UK's domestic fossil fuel policies, particularly new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea. As the UK champions a global transition away from fossil fuels, there remains significant debate over how the country will reconcile international leadership with domestic policy actions.
Stakeholder Commentary:
UK Green Building Council (UKGBC): While optimistic about the UK's climate leadership, the UKGBC stresses that real-world delivery is lagging. Simon McWhirter, the Deputy Chief Executive, urged the government to demonstrate global leadership by effectively implementing climate policies, particularly in the building and energy sectors.
Carbon Tracker Initiative: This think tank emphasises the need for the UK to reform its financial sector to support climate goals. Stronger mandates for financial regulators and innovative funding mechanisms are seen as key areas where the UK can make significant contributions at COP29.
British Foreign Policy Group (BFPG): The BFPG has expressed concern over the UK’s perceived "backsliding" on climate commitments. As COP29 approaches, the group expects the UK to reassert itself as a global leader by setting ambitious targets and ensuring domestic policies align with international goals.
British leadership at COP29
Ed Miliband, the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, will play a central role in the UK’s negotiations at COP29. The appointment of Rachel Kyte as the UK’s climate envoy signals a renewed focus on international collaboration. Kyte, a former special representative to the UN, is expected to help forge alliances and coordinate with other donor countries during the summit.
In the lead-up to COP29, the UK's strategy will be closely watched by both domestic and international stakeholders, as the nation seeks to balance its role as a global climate leader with the urgent need to meet its own net-zero goals.
The decisions made at COP29 will set the trajectory for future climate action, with the UK poised to play a significant role in shaping global climate finance, emission reductions, and resilience efforts.
References / Further reading
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