The effects of over a century of burning coal, oil, and gas are unmistakable.
Heatwaves, droughts, floods, and extreme weather events have become the new norm, exacerbating the climate crisis. As global leaders prepare for COP29 in Azerbaijan, the pressing need for action is clear.
The goal to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C, as outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement, hinges on the world’s ability to stay within a critical carbon budget.
However, this challenge is amplified by the historical burden of carbon emissions.
Developed nations, responsible for a significant share of carbon dioxide emissions, have already exceeded their carbon budgets.
The US, EU, Russia, and other developed countries have contributed more than 60% of atmospheric carbon dioxide since 1870, despite representing only 15% of the global population.
This stark reality underscores the climate debt owed to poorer nations, which remain within their carbon budgets but face the most severe impacts of climate change.
Developing nations must unite at COP29 to demand fair climate finance and transformative partnerships.The upcoming COP29 summit represents an opportunity for the global community to address this imbalance.
Developing nations need $1 trillion annually by 2030 to tackle the climate crisis, yet wealthy nations have yet to deliver their fair share of funding.
This unmet need emphasizes the importance of climate finance, technology transfer, and debt relief for the Global South.
Africa, rich in renewable energy resources, is poised to play a pivotal role in the green industrial revolution.
However, it faces significant hurdles, including a lack of technological access, high financing costs, and political instability.
With 40% of the world’s renewable energy potential, Africa’s participation in global green growth could reshape the future of energy.
COP29 offers a chance for developing nations to unite and negotiate a transformative deal—one that positions them as central players in the global green transition.
This could involve leveraging critical minerals for the world’s energy needs in exchange for green technology and investment, setting the stage for a fairer, more sustainable future.
The stakes are high, but so are the opportunities. COP29 must mark a pivotal moment in forging a new, equitable global climate partnership.