The 29th United Nations Climate Change 'Conference of the
Parties' has just ended in Baku, Azerbaijan with what seem to be
mixed outcomes. After days of bitter recriminations 'richer
countries' in the north agreed to pay 'poorer countries' in the
south £I trillion per year to transfer to low carbon economies and
cope with the effects of climate change.
Mohamed Adow of the Power Shift Africa thinktank, said: "This
[summit] has been a disaster for the developing world. It's a
betrayal of both people and planet, by wealthy countries who claim
to take climate change seriously. Rich countries have promised to
'mobilise' some funds in the future, rather than provide them now.
The cheque is in the mail. But lives and livelihoods in vulnerable
countries are being lost now."
This year's Cop president was Azerbaijan's environment minister
Mukhtar Babayev and oil and gas exports make up 90% of Azerbaijan's
exports. Saudi Arabia and other petro-states lobbied to remove
references to the "transition away from fossil fuels" which was
agreed at last year's Cop28 summit . Critics wonder if this could
have ever been a level playing field for dealing with such
existential issues?
Despite many countries dragging their heels over tackling
climate change, and climate change sceptic Donald Trump heading
back to the White House, there are some positives that have
emerged. Kier Starmer announced at Cop29 for Britain "To reduce all
greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% on 1990 levels."
2024 looks like being the hottest year on record. With wild
fires, floods and hurricanes on regular rampage around the world
how does climate change affect us here in Devon? Storm Bert has
recently battered its way across Britain with at least 5 deaths
reported in England and Wales. It is knocking on our
door.
The Paris agreement's temperature increase target of 1.5C above
pre-industrial levels now seems highly unlikely to be achieved.
Even if nations adhere to their current promises to reduce
emissions, the UN warns that the planet is heading for a scorching
2.7C rise leading to unprecedented climate chaos. Some of you may
remember the 1970's hit by Bachman-Turner Overdrive "You Ain't Seen
Nothing Yet".
Next year's Cop30 is in Brazil.
Alan Murray
(Thanks to Bernd Eggen/Sasha Catherine for the photo of the
A377 near Ladds Guns 24/11/24)