COP29 Day 3: High Ambition Coalition Reaffirms Climate Commitments
On the third day of COP29 in Baku, the High Ambition Coalition, spearheaded by the Marshall Islands, reaffirmed its commitment to addressing climate change. President Hilda Heine of the Marshall Islands expressed cautious optimism regarding the incoming US administration during the coalition’s plenary session. She stated, “I will communicate with President-elect Trump about the importance of taking the climate crisis seriously for our shared security, particularly regarding their bases in the Marshall Islands. The Paris Agreement is a robust process, and we believe that the election results will not halt the progress already underway. Many states and cities in the United States are actively advancing this agenda.”
In contrast, Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda took a more critical stance regarding the potential impact of the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. He remarked, “The decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement by the United States represents a retrogressive step. The United States carries a significant moral obligation to provide leadership and funding for climate initiatives, given its historical emissions.”
Browne further elaborated, stating, “They must contribute to remedying the environmental damage they have caused over centuries. Furthermore, we need funding as a form of climate justice, as the United States, along with other major polluting nations, has effectively committed a tort against all of humanity. For them to disregard their obligations is entirely inappropriate.”
During this crucial summit, several leaders voiced their perspectives, including Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who underscored the urgent need to phase out fossil fuels while highlighting nuclear fusion as a potential transformative technology. Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama deviated from the prepared remarks, questioning the effectiveness of the summit if leaders persist with business as usual.
What Role for Europe with a Trump-led US?
European Council President Michel noted yesterday that in 2023, the EU and its 27 member states contributed approximately 29 billion euros in climate finance. This raises the question: what role can the EU assume at COP29 in advocating for more ambitious collective climate goals? Euronews posed this question to the EU Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra.
Hoekstra responded, “We have been at the forefront of climate financing, consistently exceeding our fair share. We will continue to uphold this commitment while urging other global players with the capacity to contribute more to embrace that responsibility.”
With Trump advocating for the US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, could this motivate the EU to amplify its commitments? Hoekstra affirmed, “We have always led on this issue and will continue to do so. Our goal is to engage proactively with the new American administration, maintaining the productive collaborations we have established with past US administrations, regardless of their political affiliations.”
Unofficial Draft Proposals and the Path Forward
Hoekstra further emphasized that increasing climate action can foster competitiveness, stating, “Decarbonization is not only a climate strategy; it is also an economic and growth strategy. New sectors are emerging, such as the wind and solar industries, offering substantial economic potential. Our objective is to incentivize and create an environment conducive to this growth while defending a level playing field within the EU.”
As negotiations progress in Baku, unofficial draft proposals have begun to circulate, marking a delicate phase in the discussions. There are divisions, pushbacks, and varying ambitions among the participants. A pressing question arises as the hours pass: What does a successful COP look like?
