Statement
Baku, Budapest, Geneva, 24 November 2024 - The Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Jagan Chapagain, welcomes agreement and conclusion of COP29.
Reacting to the COP29 Baku Climate Unity Pact, Chapagain said:
“The new global climate finance goal's success will be judged by whether increased funds reach the communities that need them most, and by whether they reach them fast. Effective implementation is crucial - delivery on what's been promised. The agreement in Baku creates a pathway, but trust and action go hand in hand.
Progress to 'further operationalize the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage' has been a welcome step forward. But communities need delivery and action now”.
In advance of COP29 IFRC called on decision makers to prioritize action on:
- Health and wellbeing
- Investment in people and communities
- Timing to get ahead of disasters
Health and wellbeing: Every day the climate crisis is affecting people's physical and mental health. We need to get prepared and adapt fast, for people and the environment.
In response to the COP29 agreement, welcome progress has been made on the global goal on adaptation. The decision taken in Baku moves us a step forward to agree indicators to operationalize the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience at COP30 of which “health” is one of seven key thematic targets to strengthen adaptation and resilience efforts.
Investment in people and communities: People are already shouldering the significant cost of climate change. We need locally-led climate action as a default: by scaling up the quality, quantity and access of finance by communities who need it the most.
In response to the COP29 agreement, the new global climate finance goal agreed “developed countries taking the lead, of at least 300 billion per year by 2035” in efforts to scale up financing to developing countries for climate action of “at least 1.3 trillion” from public and private sources. This is a step forward from the 100 billion target. But ambitious action is needed soon and trust built.
It is critical adaptation finance is scaled up. We welcome recognition of “locally led approaches” in the decision text. Communities who are on the frontline of the climate crisis need finance to reach them to protect their lives and livelihoods.
In addition, agreement on carbon markets will help take forward a system and framework for offsetting emissions. This will need to ensure robust rules are in place that respect and include the needs and engagement of local communities.
Timing to get ahead of disasters: More must be done in advance to manage and reduce risks to build local capacities to adapt and act early. From multi-hazard early warning systems linked to early and anticipatory action, effective laws, policies, plans, frameworks and pre-arranged finance can minimize loss and damage, protect communities, ecosystems and economies.
In response to the COP29 agreement, we welcome progress made to further operationalize the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage and action on the Santiago Network. In the days and months ahead, it is critical that clear access modalities are set up for communities and people on the frontline of loss and damage to receive much needed support.
The IFRC supports communities to prepare for, react and adapt to extreme weather and climate-related hazards all over the world. Those hazards are getting more frequent and worse. A concerted focus is needed to keep the planet below 1.5 degrees of warming. If – or when – we pass this threshold, the humanitarian consequences will be dire. We must look forward to more ambitious mitigation action and updated national plans (NDCs) towards COP30. Families and communities are already dealing with the very real impacts of climate change – let us build solidarity, trust and real urgency of action.
For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected]
In Geneva:
India Roberts-Smillie, +41 76 330 05 46
Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 43 67