Letter to ICN: Re COP29 Azerbaijan 11-22 November 2024

On the 26 August 2024, Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, called on global leaders to drastically slash global greenhouse gas emissions and pursue a "fast and fair" phase out of fossil fuels. He was seeking to build momentum for action before the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan in November.

He called for a "massive" increase in finance and support for vulnerable countries. He argued that "we need a surge in funds to deal with surging seas." He was speaking from Tonga at the Pacific Islands Forum, which brings together 18 member states. Many are among the world's nations most threatened by rising seas.

The UN Secretary-General, on various occasions in the past, has stated that the world is not taking the decisions needed to avoid global temperature going above the 1.5C in the Paris Agreement, which is the threshold to stop climate disaster. It can only be corrected by reducing emissions.

In fact, right now, what COP29 should agree to is a much greater reduction of fossil fuels. This is going to be as difficult in Azerbaijan, as the country depends on its oil production for its existence.

So, to avoid an unsuccessful COP29, G20 nations should find a solution to this.

The UK should take a lead in getting the G20 to find a solution and this is what all of us should be involved in trying to achieve by writing to our MPs and telling them to do what needs to be done.

Reggie Norton

Reggie Norton is a member of Operation Noah, Green Christian and Christian Climate Action.