Discontent grows around UN climate conference, required solution for planet

Some experts already have noted that the United Nation's climate conferences are failing to effectively address global climate change. Concerns have intensified due to the lack of a resolution regarding the climate fund at the COP29 conference in Baku. Poorer countries expressed dissatisfaction with this commitment, Environmentalists are starting to lose confidence in the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Environmentalists have commented that these conferences have failed to exert effective pressure on global leaders to protect the climate. Particularly at COP29, disappointment and frustration have arisen following the decision on new financing decision. Therefore, they are demanding accelerated aid and specific commitments regarding carbon credits and climate compensation at the upcoming conference (COP30). Environmentalists believe the UN should take a more robust role in this regard.

In the future world, the impacts of climate change have emerged as the biggest challenge. It is not just the problem of a single nation or a specific region, but rather a global issue. Therefore, to address the challenges posed by climate change, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has been held annually since 1995.

At the 29th United Nations Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, the focus was primarily on financing. Before the conference even began, there were controversies, doubts, and concerns. From November 11, representatives from 200 countries, totaling 85,000 individuals, engaged in discussions about funding, finance, adaptation, and promised commitments. The presence of large delegations from oil-producing countries and multinational corporations cast a shadow of skepticism and debate over the entire conference. Throughout the two-week event, various sessions sparked extensive discussions on these issues. On the final day, prolonged talks ensued due to a lack of consensus. Wealthy nations, including the European Union and the United States, agreed to provide $300 billion annually to climate funds by 2035, following extended discussions at Azerbaijan's COP-29 conference.

However, while there was agreement on a deal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, critics and developing nations labeled the financial assistance as inadequate. Additionally, environmentalists expressed skepticism about how effective the agreement would be. This year, developing countries, including Bangladesh, sought $1.3 trillion annually to address the damages caused by climate change. High carbon dioxide emissions are a significant contributor to climate change, with 80% of these emissions attributed to developed countries. Consequently, calls for compensation for affected nations emerged from the Paris Climate Conference. Although there was some agreement on fund creation, there was little urgency regarding financing.

To combat climate risks, the G7 coalition of affected countries, including Bangladesh, is demanding $500 trillion in grants from carbon-emitting nations. They have set a target for this new funding annually until 2030. However, during the COP-29 conference, developed and affected nations did not reach consensus on this matter. By 2024, global temperatures are projected to rise by at least 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. The world is currently experiencing its hottest decade. The goal was to keep the increase in global temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Carbon-emitting countries are expected to contribute $10 billion annually to the UN Green Fund for addressing the climate crisis, yet temperatures have risen by 0.8 degrees Celsius instead of decreasing.

Environmental activists believe that despite ongoing discussions at COP conferences, real change is taking too long. Many countries face accusations of not taking sufficient action against climate change, particularly developed nations, which are often deemed most responsible and yet fail to take adequate measures. Additionally, countries affected by climate change are claiming compensation, but developed nations are reluctant to assist. Environmentalists are also frustrated by the continued use of fossil fuels and the lack of investment in renewable energy sources.

As a result, activists are advocating for alternative climate change conferences, arguing that traditional conferences are heavily influenced by large countries and corporate interests. In contrast, alternative conferences are said to prioritize the opinions of local communities, environmental organizations, and people from various backgrounds. While conventional conferences emphasize new ideas, technologies, and solutions, discussions often get mired in political disputes. In alternative conferences, there is a greater focus on solutions, and activists also wish to discuss the local impacts of climate change and potential remedies.

Their demands include taking rapid and effective action against climate change, enforcing stricter targets for carbon emissions, providing adequate compensation to countries affected by climate change, increasing investment in renewable energy sources while phasing out fossil fuel use, and urging world leaders to adopt a stronger and clearer stance on climate change.

Additionally, through alternative conferences, they seek to ensure compensation for countries harmed by the actions of developed nations, reduce fossil fuel consumption, explore new energy sources, change food production and distribution systems in the context of climate change, and find solutions by utilizing the knowledge and experience of local communities. In fact, such alternative climate conferences can play a crucial role in the fight against climate change, steering the world towards more practical and effective solutions.

Anti-COP or alternative climate conferences are typically held alongside COP conferences, although they have sometimes taken place in separate locations. The first alternative climate conference began in 2009 in Copenhagen, surrounding the COP-15 conference. At that time, climate activists opposed the structure of the main conference, raising claims against protests, unnecessary discussions, and corporate interests.

Following this, protests and the scope of alternative climate conferences expanded during COP-16 (2010, Cancun) and COP-17 (2011, Doha). Subsequently, environmentalists and climate activists began participating en masse in these alternative conferences. To understand why there are protests surrounding climate conferences, it is essential to first grasp the main topics of these conferences and the positions of various parties involved.

Environmentalists protest in Baku, Azerbaijan, demanding that rich countries pay more to help poor countries combat the effects of climate change.                                                                     Photo: Collected

 

Evaluating Previous COP Conferences:
The first COP1 conference took place in Berlin, Germany, from March 2 to April 7, 1995. This conference made decisions regarding joint efforts to combat global climate change.

The UN Climate Change COP21 conference was held in Paris, France, in 2015. Based on the opinions of 196 countries, the Paris Agreement was recommended at this conference. The agreement determined to limit global warming to within 1.5 degrees Celsius. It was deemed reasonable to keep global warming within this limit to address droughts, irregular rainfall, salinity, and natural disasters worldwide. It was also stated that greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by approximately 43% by 2030. Therefore, the Paris Agreement was a binding and groundbreaking climate change treaty, opening discussions on how to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

At the COP26 conference, the allocation of funds for building resilience against climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions was widely discussed. The issue of developed countries providing $100 billion annually to developing nations to combat climate change was addressed. The conversation also included visible plans to prevent greenhouse gas emissions and what further action plans could be added for the future. As a result, it is possible to keep global warming within the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit mentioned in the Paris Agreement.

Among the key topics discussed at COP27 was the specific allocation of funds each year to help developing countries recover from climate-related disasters. The conference emphasized a strong demand to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 43% by 2030. The need for transparency and accountability from businesses in tackling climate change was also highlighted. There was a call for companies to develop concrete plans within the following year on how they would address climate change. Additionally, discussions were held regarding the Green Climate Fund, which proposed allocations of $211.68 million for developed countries and $70.6 million for least developed countries. Furthermore, the establishment of a special fund of $35 million for climate change was welcomed. Consideration of a new climate change fund by 2024, based on the needs and priorities of developing countries, was also ongoing. Ultimately, the UN's permanent committee was tasked with preparing a report on doubling the climate change fund by 2024.

At COP28, nearly 200 countries agreed to gradually phase out the use of fossil fuels. Representatives from these countries committed to gradually halting the use of oil, gas, and coal to avoid the adverse effects of climate change, which climate experts view as a "historic" agreement in the past 30 years. However, there remains skepticism about what countries like Bangladesh and others affected by climate change will gain from this agreement. The cessation of fossil fuel use was prioritized at the conference. Meanwhile, the global temperature has started to rise due to the inability to reduce fossil fuel use. Yet, no government has ever reached a consensus on when or how this reduction will take place.

At the latest COP29 conference, discussions focused on alternative allocations, raising concerns that previous initiatives may have fallen short. Some environmental activists have indicated that there may not be significant demands from developing countries at the upcoming COP30 conference this year.

Expert Opinion:
Dr. Mohammad Shamsuddoha, the CEO of Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), stated that the coalition of affected countries, G7, has demanded $500 billion in grants from carbon-emitting nations to address climate risks. However, at the COP29 conference, developed and affected countries could not reach an agreement on this issue because developed countries seek guarantees on their investments in climate change. For example, if a developed country lends Bangladesh $100 to mitigate climate risks, it requires assurance that Bangladesh can repay this amount, with interest, after a specified time. Without such guarantees, the loan remains uncertain.

He noted that during the latest conference, many poor nations affected by climate change expressed anger at the indecisiveness of wealthy countries. These disaster-stricken countries labeled the promised funds from wealthy nations, responsible for global pollution, as "insultingly trivial."

He believes that organizing alternative conferences may not provide a good solution. Instead, it would be better to make the annual UN events (COP) more effective.

Arifur Rahman, a Bangladeshi journalist working on climate change, stated, "Climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges faced by societies today. It has significant implications for energy, food, and water security, as well as health and safety for countries and people around the world." However, he noted that the issues of impact and compensation for poor countries are not receiving adequate attention at COP conferences. It is crucial for these countries to send more representatives and present data on their losses to portray the real picture. The UN should also apply pressure on wealthy nations to ensure that affected countries can benefit.

The EU representative Wopke Hoekstra, welcomed the new $300 billion climate agreement, stating that the COP29 conference will be remembered as the beginning of a new era in climate financing. Conversely, Mohamed Adow, director of the research organization Power Shift Africa, criticized the agreement, stating, "This COP is a disaster for the developing world. The wealthy countries that claim to take climate change seriously have betrayed the planet and its inhabitants."

The writer is a senior journalist