Photo credit: www.theguardian.com
As anticipation grows for the proceedings of day nine at the climate talks, it’s important to reflect on the sentiments expressed at the conclusion of yesterday’s discussions. Delegates appeared to be grappling with frustration, as meaningful progress remained elusive. Hope is in the air for more encouraging updates today.
Summary of Day Eight:
The opening of day eight saw the climate negotiations entering a challenging stage often referred to as the ‘valley of death.’
Economists have suggested that securing funding for climate initiatives is indeed attainable, as reported by my colleague Fiona Harvey.
The COP discussions received a notable boost with the G20 reaffirming their commitment to moving away from fossil fuels, although there are voices that suggest the meeting in Brazil could have made bolder strides.
New insights revealed that numerous lobbyists representing industrial agriculture were present at the COP29 climate summit taking place in Baku.
The UK, New Zealand, and Colombia have allied to form a coalition aimed at phasing out fossil fuel subsidies.
In a separate vein from COP29, a compelling article by my colleagues at the Guardian highlighted the tangible impacts of the worsening climate crisis. The piece addresses the alarming rise in temperatures and the increase in extreme weather events, serving as a critical reminder of the urgent need to cut emissions swiftly.
Argentina to Remain Part of the Paris Agreement, Says Foreign Minister
As day nine unfolds at the COP29 discussions in Baku, the initial influx of delegates appears to be diminishing, evidenced by shorter queues in the morning. Negotiators have been laboring late into the night as the summit approaches its climax.
Notably absent from the concluding stages of COP29 will be Argentina, as they withdrew their delegates after just three days. Under the leadership of climate skeptic Javier Milei, there were discussions about the country potentially exiting the Paris Agreement. Whispers suggested an announcement might come soon, especially following Milei’s recent engagement with Donald Trump, marking their first meeting since the latter’s reelection.
However, Argentina’s foreign minister, Gerardo Werthein, clarified that the nation will not be abandoning the agreement. In comments made to El Observador, he stated that the country is merely reexamining its stance due to some disagreements with aspects of the Paris Agreement but reaffirmed their commitment to remain a part of it.
In the past week, observers speculated that Milei’s provocative actions—such as brandishing a chainsaw and his active presence on social media—were perhaps more about garnering international attention than genuine intention. Despite hints at obstructing climate change references in G20 statements, he did not follow through with any such actions.
The decision to withdraw representatives has begun to affect civil society delegates who often rely on their home countries for accreditation. Tais Gadea Lara, a climate reporter from Argentina, showcased on social media the instances where civil society members had their access revoked due to Argentina’s exit from COP29. While other delegations are stepping in to support those affected, this situation highlights the interconnectedness of the many stakeholders engaged in these summits, all striving towards common goals.
Good morning. As we navigate through day nine at COP29, we will continue to bring you the latest updates from the discussions here.
Source
www.theguardian.com