COP29 has been a shameful moral failure, Islamic Relief Worldwide says as the conference comes to an end with a “heartless” outcome that is too low, too slow, and falls far short of what is needed.
Rich, high-polluting governments have refused to offer anything close to a fair deal that matches the scale of the climate emergency. The final announcement of $300 billion a year by 2035 is less than a quarter of the $1.3 trillion required and will come far too late for many. Given inflation it barely represents an increase on the $100 billion a year promised in 2009.
This COP was a matter of life and death for people all over the world, and the failure to reach a good deal will have catastrophic consequences.
Jamie Williams, Islamic Relief’s senior policy advisor, says:
“COP29 has been a colossal moral failure. We needed a COP of compassion, solidarity and justice, but that spirit has been completely missing. Instead, it’s been riven with division and the outcome is heartless. The gap between the negotiations here and the daily reality for people facing the climate emergency has never been so wide.
“Rich, high-polluting nations that caused the crisis have an ethical duty to help those who are suffering its consequences. But instead we’ve seen them do everything they can to get out of their responsibilities.
“The amount agreed is far too low and slow, with the target of 2035 still a decade away. People whose lives and livelihoods are being destroyed by climate breakdown can’t wait that long.
“At this COP there’s been far too much focus on private finance rather than public grants. We can’t leave tackling the biggest crisis facing humanity to unaccountable corporations that will always put profits before people and want a return on any investment. Without that, private finance can’t fund climate adaptation, so relying on it will leave the most vulnerable people abandoned.
“We are seeing a big step backwards on commitments to phase out fossil fuels and keep global heating below 1.5 degrees. The recognition of issues like gender and human rights, and the need to learn from Indigenous and local people, has also become less clear.
“There has also been little progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation, with talks stalling as rich nations resist clear commitments to provide funding and technical help, and disputes on how to measure progress. Vital discussions about transformational adaptation have been delayed by disagreements. All the time spent debating overall finance, with no success, means that the money for adaptation will not only be inadequate but also less equitable, less efficient and less effective.”
ENDS
