Following two weeks of climate negotiations setting the course for COP29 in November 2024, the Chair of the Least Developed Countries Group, Evans Njewa, has expressed concern over the fact that deliberations in certain circles failed to reflect the urgency of the crisis at hand.
“We are deeply concerned that the discussions in some areas did not reflect the urgency of the crisis we face. It is vital that climate action accelerates in this critical decade to keep 1.5°C in reach. But across many areas, discussions were stalled,” he said.
Njewa said the world hoped to make more progress towards the new goal on climate finance, adding that there is currently a huge gap between support needed for climate action and finance provided.
“The new goal must match the needs of our countries to mitigate climate change, adapt to its impacts, and address loss and damage,” he stated.
Njewa added: Addressing loss and damage is a key pillar of the Paris Agreement; its costs cannot be left out of the new goal. The establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund was a great breakthrough in dealing with this issue, but it needs to be capitalised to be useful. As we have made clear, the new goal must, at a minimum, include loss and damage response alongside mitigation and adaptation as respective sub-goals.
“The least developed countries have emitted the least, but we find ourselves on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Economic costs are overwhelming our governments, undermining hard-won development gains, and perpetuating cycles of poverty and vulnerability. These special circumstances of our countries must be recognised in the international community’s response to climate change.”
With world leaders meeting at the G7 summit on Friday in Italy, Mr Njewa said, “We need to be seeing more from the G7 because they have both the responsibility and the capability to do more. This forum is an opportunity to demonstrate accelerated action to reduce emissions, phase out fossil fuels and increase climate finance in line with their commitments.”
