#UNFCCC

[hope-for-the-planet]

Former New York city mayor Michael Bloomberg is joining with other US climate organizations to fund the United States entire 21% contribution to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This will allow the organization to remain fully functional in the wake of Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. This contribution will continue at least until the United States is able to rejoin the Paris Agreement.

I dislike the existence of billionaires as much as the next person, but it is refreshing to see one of them actually using their money to do a net good for the planet.

[man-and-atom]

Have the authorities in Belém never heard of trains?

For a given capacity to carry freight or passengers, a railway involves a much smaller disturbance of the land. Even the most sophisticated high–speed railways use less concrete and steel than a lane of motorway. In the process of carrying a given number passenger–kilometers, or tonne–kilometers of freight, a railway uses far less energy than road vehicles. And electrifying railways is practically trivial, established practice at least since the overhead wire was strung on the New York New Haven & Hartford 112 years ago or so.

[cookie-nom-nom]

COP29 NOV 11--Blue Zone

review of the notes from my first day of the UN COP29 Climate Change Conference. Disclaimer I'm just a ~silly guy~ not a policy or geopolitical expert. My observations and opinions do not reflect AC or RINGOs. This is what I witnessed, overheard, remember, and (crucially) understand, and may not be representative of final policy decisions.

I was in the Blue Zone today (official UN ground, where negotiations occur). From the RINGO meeting, rumor was the night before COP29 officially began officials were up till 4 am arguing about the agenda. Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement (mechanisms of carbon markets) was deeply contested in particular. Also arguments about unilateral and multilateral trade agreements. Also weather Global Stocktake (assessment of global progress on Paris Agreement) would be filed under general or financial sections. US/EU/Australia/smaller island nations were wanting it to be considered broader, with BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) wanting it under strictly Finance. More Paris Agreement stuff.

This resulted in the opening plenary beginning at 11 am, followed immediately by break for closed door discussions on the second item of the day, the agenda. This was a completely unprecedented delay, and the agenda was only resolved at 9pm.

This is the previous COP president Sultan Al Jaber, who did the opening address of plenary and handed over the presidency to Muhktar Babayev (photo below) with an embrace.

Notes of claims from Babayev's address to the plenary body:

We are set to break records on renewable energy and its investment.

There is a goal of low-carbon growth (as opposed to zero, which I think is an important distinction)

853 million put into the Loss and Damage fund

A call to increase climate financing ambitions. This is not charity, but in the self interest of all countries who with to mitigate the ethical and economical consequences of climate change.

A reinforcement of the call to transition away from fossil fuels (important, as last year is the first time such phrasing was used for the UNFCCC)

Emphasizing the cooperation required of everyone.

Genocide and the environment

Social justice is deeply tied into climate change efforts. Here in the Blue Zone we had a demonstration to end genocide (as relevant by its massive carbon emissions, if the human rights angle doesn't suffice), with particular emphasis on Palestine and reclaiming Indigenous lands. Demonstrations within the blue zone are allowed with permission, and can have a maximum of 20 people actively participating. Those in solidarity of the demonstration raised their fists in support. Also, this could not happen in the Green Zone (public conference) due to it being controlled by the host country, and Azerbaijan has strict laws against protests.

USAmerican election and its future climate policy

I proceeded to get rather lost trying to find a conference on USAmerican climate response to the Trump election, but got there too late because the Blue Zone is massive oof. Did catch the people coming out, and the strategy thus far is that the Biden administration's environmental policies were designed to endure regime shifts and should be difficult to undo without significant political effort. So, we'll be unfortunately testing that durability, particularly with how Trump likes to flout the rules and the Supreme Court deemed that legal.

Additionally, NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) are due in February but the US may potentially do theirs sooner before the regime shift. Effectiveness is questionable because the accountability of countries upholding their NDCs is already kinda honor code.

Subfederal action is going to be a main proponent of climate action from here on.

Conference: Transparency for transforming the agrifood system

I...must admit I was constantly blacking out and jerking back awake during this meeting because of jet lag. So the merit of these notes may be questionable particularly bc I'm having trouble reading them. However, notes from representatives from Mongolia, Pakistan, Georgia, UN, and others.

10% of global green house gas emissions are from agriculture (Technically this was from Babayev's speech but I think it's a useful reference point for this conversation. Production, manufacturing, distribution, and waste of food produces a lot of emissions).

Data quality is of large concern for transparency and effectiveness of implementation purposes. Countries have different methodologies and argue about which is superior, and the quality of others' methods. This can be particularly of note in the carbon markets. Data collection is a large logistical and technological challenge.

Everyone wants increased transparency. Or claim to. I think, aside from technical difficulties in data collection and funding thereof, the countries would actually prefer others are transparent and less themselves to be. As evidenced by things like high levels of methane unaccounted by the summation of all countries' submitted emission reports. But that's just my opinion.

BTRs (Biennial transparency reports) are difficult, and the country representatives present were apologizing for delays.

Calls for increase of human capacity. Imma be level that seems like a vague ideal to me, but I think it might mean carrying capacity (kinda a deeply flawed concept already, sustainability is extremely difficult to ascertain without prolonged unsustainability to confirm it)

Double counting is a problem for carbon removals

Efforts to work with farmers in data collection and to better improve their methods

A claim on carbon neutral livestock farming to balance cattle methane emissions with soil carbon sequestering through grazingland ecosystem management.

Conversion of carbon sink ecosystems into farmland. From personal research: In 2019, 17% of global cropland was newly converted since 2003, and the rate of yearly conversion is accelerating.

Potentially using IPCC software for consistency in data collection and analysis

Ecocide as a tool of war

Lastly, there are country pavilions in the Blue Zone where they raise issues. I did not particularly look too much into most of them, but would like to share Ukraine's because it was amazing imo.

One, the walls are literally full of seeds, and I think it will be really cool seeing them begin to sprout by the end of the conference

Two, how destroying the environment is a concentrated effort to destroy its people. Because again, protecting the environment/climate is protecting the people.

Lastly, these solar panels damaged in the war. A large emphasis in this pavilion was rebuilding from the bombing and coming back greener, which I found particularly admirable. The bravery to forge something new while grieving the comfort of what was lost. The circumstances presenting the opportunity to reinvent their infrastructure is obviously horrendous, but seizing said opportunity nonetheless is inspiring. Renewable energy is also a way to be energy independent, which is particularly important if you’re say Ukraine and the closest major oil exporter is Russia.

Now, I had left the Blue Zone by then (needed dinner where there isn't price gouging! Yikes!) but plenary did eventually assume very late, and massive progress on Article 6 was made!

This is about Carbon Markets, some people are happy others aren't, etc. Also the agenda was implement as the original plan (GST under finance) with acknowledgements made that it was broader consideration. And now plenary can actually continue instead of being stymied! In consideration for the day of lost time, sessions will run later than usual. After today it's going to get busy!

[geohoneylovers]

The comprehensive schedule for the UN Climate Change Conference - COP28 in Dubai! From Nov 30 to Dec 12, global leaders converge for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP 28), the 18th session of the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 18), and the 5th session of the Paris Agreement (CMA 5). This detailed overview outlines discussions and critical events hosted by the Subsidiary Bodies, including SBSTA 59 and SBI 59.

Schedule Overview

WEEK 1 - Thursday 30 November - Wednesday 6 December

30 Nov- COP 28 Opening Ceremony 1-2 Dec- World Climate Action Summit 3 Dec- Health/relief, recovery and peace 4 Dec-Finance/trade/gender equality/accountability 5 Dec-Energy, industry, and just transition 6 Dec- Multilevel action, urbanization and built environment/transport

(Thursday 7 December = Rest day)

WEEK 2 - Wednesday 7 December - Tuesday 12 December

8 Dec- Youth, children, education and skills 9 Dec- Nature, land use, and oceans 10 Dec- Food, agriculture and water 11 Dec- Final negotiations 12 Dec- Closing COP/CMP/CMA

Visit our news section for COP 28 Information, https://blog.geohoney.com/category/our-planet

[hpcaatcop28]

Just days prior to the start of COP28, Professor Stavins interviews environmental economist Nat Keohane, president at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.

[der-kreuzfahrttester]

COP30 in Brasilien: Costa Diadema und MSC Seaview als Hotelschiffe bestätigt

Belém, 18. Juli 2025 – Die brasilianische Regierung hat offiziell bestätigt, dass zwei große Kreuzfahrtschiffe – die Costa Diadema und die MSC Seaview – als temporäre Hotels während der 30. UN-Klimakonferenz (COP30) in Belém do Pará eingesetzt werden. Die Konferenz findet im November 2025 statt und bringt tausende Teilnehmer aus aller Welt in die Amazonas-Metropole. Über 6.000 zusätzliche Betten…

[carrzeecarbon]

Exclusive: G7-US tax deal is crucial element of G20 carbon market/s

Continue reading Exclusive: G7-US tax deal is crucial element of G20 carbon market/s

[revista-amazonia]

Impasse em Bonn, a justiça climática mantida refém pelos países ricos

A 62ª sessão dos Órgãos Subsidiários da Convenção-Quadro das Nações Unidas sobre Mudança do Clima (UNFCCC), realizada em Bonn, na Alemanha, deveria ter sido um ponto de inflexão no caminho até a COP30. Em vez disso, revelou-se um campo minado diplomático, marcado por bloqueios orquestrados, omissões cínicas e táticas de sabotagem lideradas pelos países do Norte Global. Imagem: ONU Mudança…

[10bmnews]

Strong climate plans antidote to prevailing economic uncertainty: UN climate change chief | - The Times of India

Strong climate plans antidote to prevailing economic uncertainty: UN climate change chief (AP) NEW DELHI: UN climate change chief Simon Stiell on Tuesday said clear and strong climate plans are an antidote to the economic uncertainty gripping the world. Addressing the 2025 Nature Summit in Panama City, he said that at a time when tariffs, trade barriers and slowing growth have been dominating…

[dyanamic]

Explore what COP29 is, its key goals, dates, location, and why it matters in the fight against climate change. Get all the essential info in one place.

[inspirednews]

COP-30 em Belém: Oportunidade histórica para a descarbonização do transporte marítimo

Belém do Pará se prepara para receber um dos eventos internacionais mais importantes já realizados na região Norte do Brasil: a 30.ª Conferência das Partes (COP-30). Este encontro de grande magnitude não só representa um marco para o Brasil, mas também para as discussões globais sobre mudanças climáticas, em um momento que se configura como histórico e simbólico. A expectativa em torno da COP-30 é alta, especialmente considerando os desafios climáticos crescentes que o mundo enfrenta.(...)

Leia a noticia completa no link abaixo:

https://www.inspirednews.com.br/cop30-em-belem-oportunidade-historica-para-a-descarbonizacao-do-transporte-maritimo

[pintsizedangel]

What had happened was....

The process of preparing to write this post reminded me of why I shamefully abandoned this blog many years ago. Staying abreast with, and sharing news that is often both disheartening and disappointing is hard. But having relevant and well informed conversations on climate change requires that we explore the good, the bad and down right ugly realities. So let’s have a look at what happened at COP…

[beenasarwar]

Putting aside petty rivalries for the larger cause of climate justice

At the unprecedented climate change hearings at the Hague last month, prompted by a consensus Resolution of the UN General Assembly, developing countries, including Pakistan and India, joined hands to argue for climate justice. There is now cautious optimism that the forthcoming ICJ advisory will influence the obligations of states and set accountability standards  By Meena Menon / Sapan…

[hpcaatcop29]

"What ended up coming out of this COP was a kind of kitchen sink approach where developed countries said, 'we will take the lead in trying to get together around 300 billion a year and not starting right now but starting a decade from now.' And the additional trillion will be made up by a huge variety of sources in the private sector, in multilateral development banks, carbon markets, you name it, basically everything else."

--Max Bearak, energy politics and global climate negotiations reporter for the New York Times in a podcast conversation with HPCA Director Robert Stavins.

[if-haber]

Paris İklim Anlaşması Nedir? Paris İklim Anlaşması, küresel ısınmayı 2°C'nin altında tutmayı ve mümkünse 1,5°C ile sınırlamayı amaçlayan uluslararası bir çevre anlaşmasıdır. Birleşmiş Mill...

[hicginewsagency]

"Failure is Not an Option - I Sense an Appetite for Agreement" UN Chief tells Global Media as COP 29 is coming to an End; Also PICTORIAL by Kivumbi.