COP29

-

The Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC is the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, which is now in its 29th year (COP29). This year, COP29 will be held in Baku in Azerbaijan where world leaders, academics, students and the general public convene to discuss and (hopefully) agree on the necessary actions that must be implemented to combat the devastating effects of climate change.

The Centre for Climate Repair will be present in Baku this year as this is a prime opportunity to inform stakeholders and other interested parties about the growing need for climate intervention.

As we look ahead to COP29, it is crucial that we acknowledge the reality of our current climate projections. Island nations like Palau face the loss of their homelands within the next century, and we are not on course to prevent that from happening. In addition to focusing on emissions reduction and greenhouse gas removal, we need to open a serious dialogue about climate engineering. This topic, while still somewhat taboo in the negotiation rooms, must be addressed if we are to keep global temperatures from spiraling out of control.

Shaun Fitzgerald, Geoengineering and the Urgency for Climate Repair - ClimateGenn

Our Director, Shaun Fitzgerald and Deputy Director, Hugh Hunt will be attending and if you are attending COP29, you can find them speaking at the following events:

COP29 Final Version

Ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR): An Ocean of Climate Solutions

11th Nov, 16:30-17:30 local time

This side event is being hosted by the Centre for Climate Repair and discusses the increasing scientific, commercial and political interest in using marine environments to facilitate carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) as a means of supporting climate change mitigation efforts. With the growing investment in commercial Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) markets, interest in mCDR is increasing rapidly. This expert panel will explore the challenges and opportunities for mCDR as well as initiate a discussion on potential roadmaps for its development and research.

Speakers

  • Shaun Fitzgerald, Centre for Climate Repair, University of Cambridge (chair) 
  • Leonardo Valenzuela Perez, Ocean Visions 
  • Margaret Leinen, Scripps, UCSD 
  • Jill Storey, World Ocean Council 
  • Paul Morris, WHOI

Carbon Dioxide Removal: Policy Considerations for Responsible Deployment on Land and in the Ocean

12th Nov, 16:45-18:15 local time

Reaching net zero/negative requires deploying new and scaling current CO2 removal strategies. Governments must establish safeguards for communities & ecosystems. We will hear from experts on current CO2 removal policies & practice, new policies needed and other approaches for responsible deployment.

Speakers

  • Barry Vesser, The Climate Center
  • Jill Storey, World Ocean Council 
  • Dr. Werner Kutsch, Integrated Carbon Observation System European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ICOS-ERIC) 
  • Louise Bedsworth, Center for Law, Energy & the Environment 
  • Dr. Shaun Fitzgerald, Centre for Climate Repair

Beyond Emissions Reduction

14th Nov, 14:00-14:30 local time

This event, hosted by the Climate Emergency Forum, will discuss climate repair and the need for urgent research in Greenhouse Gas Removal and Climate Engineering.

Speakers

  • Dr Shaun Fitzgerald - Director, Centre for Climate Repair, University of Cambridge
  • Dr Leonardo Valenzuela Perez - Director, International Partnerships
  • Jill Storey - Advisor, World Ocean Council
  • Paul Beckwith - Climate System Scientist
  • Herb Simmens - Co-founder, Healthy Planet Action Coalition

Climate Finance for Sustainable Regions and Cities

15th Nov, 17:00-18:30 local time

This session will focus on navigating this pronounced mismatch between traditional financing sources and projects related to green technology, mitigation, and adaptation. The session will provide an overview of novel financial instruments and funding schemes that are gaining importance for stakeholders in the climate sector. It will cover the role of non-state actors such as the private sector, as well as the role of research and innovation not just in the provision of funding but also in supporting the longevity of mitigation and adaptation initiatives. This session will focus on key financial challenges facing regions and cities in leading pathways toward net zero and building resilience to climate change. Specifically, it will underscore the strategic barriers regions and cities face in attracting funding and financing for mitigation and adaptation projects. Moreover, based on recent initiatives and case studies, the panel will highlight tailored solutions in the form of existing and novel financial instruments, sources of finance based on their relevance to specific sustainable projects, and the role of intermediaries such as accelerators, project preparation facilities, and online platforms. The session will emphasize the need for regional and municipal authorities to develop informed Adaptation Investment Plans, based on a pipeline of bankable projects and realize the pressing need to elaborate on their financial strategy in parallel to the action plans for adaptation and mitigation.

Speakers

  • María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Defense of Ecuador; Former President of the UN General Assembly, Executive Director, GWL Voices for Change and Inclusion.
  • Dr. Ebun Akinsete, Senior Researcher AE4RIA network, co- chair SDSN Greece
  • Dr. Hyginus 'Gene' Leon, Executive Director, Development Bank for Resilient Prosperity
  • Dr. Shaun Fitzgerald, Director of the Centre for Climate Repair; Director of Research for Cambridge Zero, Cambridge University
  • Dr. Conrad Landis, Adjunct Professor Athens University of Economics and Business; Senior Researcher AE4RIA network
  • Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, President, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network; Columbia University

Evaluating progress on forest, land use and agriculture emissions - from the Emirates Declaration to accounting for carbon sequestration.

16th Nov, 15:00-15:30 local time

Agriculture emissions account for ~11% of global Greenhouse Gas Emissions. At COP28, the COP presidency announced the 'Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture' with over 144 countries signing up for it. 

This panel session will focus on what has been achieved in the interim to date, as well as drawing on expert input around what can be done to scale and accelerate carbon reduction from Forestry, Land & Agriculture (FLAG). With Egypt reducing it's climate ambition by 40% only 2 years after hosting COP27, it is essential that host countries be held to account and that momentum for meaningful change be achieved.

Speakers

  • Nick Breeze (Chair), Climate Journalist and Creator of 'ClimateGenn'
  • Professor Heiko Balzter, University of Leicester
  • Dr Shaun Fitzgerald, Centre for Climate Repair

Climate Emergency Forum: Climate Engineering

19th Nov, 16:00-16:30 local time

This event, held in the NGO Press Room, will focus on a discussion surrounding climate engineering to help alleviate the effects of anthropogenic climate change.

Speakers

  • Professor Hugh Hunt - Deputy Director, Centre for Climate Repair, University of Cambridge
  • Paul Beckwith - Climate System Scientist
  • Herb Simmens - Co-founder, Healthy Planet Action Coalition (HPAC)

Repairing Arctic Sea Ice: Ambition for the UN Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences

21st Nov, 10:30-11:30 local time

 

This event will explore the critical challenge of slowing Arctic marine ecosystem loss and repairing it in the face of dangerous climate change. As Arctic Sea ice reaches tipping points, the discussion will highlight science-based interventions under the UN Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences. Participants will learn about innovative repair strategies from the Ocean Visions “Arctic Sea Ice Road Map” and the role of global governance in enabling responsible climate actions. Attendees can expect diverse perspectives from experts in marine science, policy, and Traditional Indigenous Knowledge. Through dynamic discussion and Q&A, the event aims to inspire collaboration and global action toward safeguarding the Arctic’s future.

Speakers

  • Leonardo Valenzuela Perez - Director of International Partnerships, Ocean Visions

  • Hugh Hunt - Deputy Director of the Centre for Climate Repair, University of Cambridge

  • Jukipa Kotierk - Inuk Advocate

  • Marcelo Mena - CEO, Global Methane Hub

  • Zerin Osho - Director of India Program, Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development

Wondering what COP29 is about? 

Watch this video on the Road to COP29: