The COP 29 conference was held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, so we decided that we should also go and participate in this conference to deal with environmental challenges. When we arrived in Baku, the beautiful capital of Azerbaijan, on the morning of November 7th, these conferences are of course very important for dealing with environmental challenges.
On the morning of November 11, 2024, when we arrived for the conference, there was a huge rush, thousands of people from 198 parties from different countries, including Azerbaijan, had arrived at the Olympic Stadium in Baku. The feeling of cold had subsided, media entry was prohibited in the conference hall so we moved towards the pavilions, each country was preparing for briefings in their pavilions, for various events. The action plan was being prepared, we were also enjoying this environment, it was quite an inspiring environment that at least almost all the countries of the world are serious about the environmental challenges. Started searching and had to work hard for it.
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Everywhere there was talk of floods, rising temperature somewhere, when we reached the Pakistan pavilion, there was talk of green financing, green economy carbon policy, this opportunity was very important for Pakistan, from the year 2022, Pakistan climate In the midst of changes, Pakistan had to bear losses of billions of rupees due to floods, however, Pakistan planned many of its events and held talks on environmental topics in the pavilion.
On the third day of Coop 29, when Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb also participated, it seemed that today is definitely an important day for Pakistan. Only then did the minister also arrive to participate. The Finance Minister, while introducing himself, wanted to know whether the Coop 29 will give positive results for Pakistan or not what will benefit Pakistan? Then Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said that there is good news for Pakistan in COP 29, in his special conversation he said that the most important development for Pakistan in COP 29 is that especially for Pakistan, Hekioman made the first Climate Investment Fund has been created, this fund has been created to focus on agriculture, this is a very important development, for Pakistan and these are very positive initiatives, the finance minister continued. Hoya said that we are having a discussion about how we should go about adaptation finance together with the rest of the world. Those from the Green Climate Fund have also made their investment in the fund of Hakuman. Work has been prepared, NDCs have been prepared, we have said that by 2050 we will move towards net zero, we are among the first 10 countries affected by climate change, we need to do this. We need adaptation finance, we have talked about what multinational support will be, we are considering what will be the public-private partnership framework, we have to go to the international market, the issue of green economy is important, investible and We have to focus on bankable projects, financing is there, financing will be available to us but the ball is in our court how we bring those investable projects.
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Referring to the previous years, the finance minister said that 3 and a half years ago today, Pakistan issued green bonds, from these green bonds, 500 million dollars were received by the government and WAPDA, while its order book was 3 billion dollars. The biggest focus should be on capacity building, when the question is whether the government will be able to deal with a crisis like 2022 after this coup. Dealing with climate challenges? So the finance minister replied that the work we have to do as a government should be done by ourselves, we cannot depend on other people.
Regarding the meeting with the World Bank, he said that there was a positive discussion in the meeting with the World Bank two weeks ago in Washington DC, we have the funds of the World Bank, we had a discussion with the World Bank that God willing, if such a test comes to us, then we will not have to make such a funding proposal, but we will be able to use these funds immediately for our purposes. And one for other countries of the world It’s a golden opportunity.
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What are the NDCs that are repeatedly mentioned in the COP 29 conference, so much importance is being given to these NDCs and then the Secretary General of the United Nations has also declared the NDCs as important policy documents of this century. So let’s know first what are NDCs?
NDCs are essentially environmental plans developed by countries under the Paris Agreement that include measures to reduce the most significant climate change impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, each Countries set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions according to their national conditions and capabilities, action plans are drawn up to address the effects of climate change, and NDCs are updated every 5 years to address climate challenges. Updated accordingly is done
The NDCs aim to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and strive to limit it to 1.5 degrees, although the definition of the NDCs is very broad. It is important that countries take timely measures, the ongoing COP 29 in Baku has continuously focused on NDCs.
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At COP 29, the UN Secretary-General called the NDCs the most important policy documents of this century, and at the same time, the UN also announced the launch of the Climate Plan Campaign and said that the Climate Plan Campaign will give countries new UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Steele, speaking at an event at the COP29 conference, said that global clean energy will reach $2 trillion this year. Expectedly, the UK and Brazil have announced in the COP to step up environmental action under NDCs 3.0. Climate change has affected every country’s economy and some countries’ GDP has fallen by up to 5%, agriculture and food supply. However, the most important benefits of clean energy in NDCs include stronger economies, job opportunities and less pollution, he said, adding that the NDCs Partnership will support cooperation on climate change issues. Took Playing an important role, the United Nations also appealed to countries to further strengthen their environmental commitments.
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If the NDCs documents are finalized in COP 29 and implemented by the countries, then a good and happy future can be expected because the world is based on hope, at this time every moment is very precious for the countries around the world. Yes, so hopefully the Kop 29 will not be just talk, but positive results will also be found.
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What were the key outcomes of COP 29 regarding climate action plans?
Time.news Interview: The Future of Climate Action at COP 29
Editor (E): Welcome to this special edition of Time.news. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Sarah Mitchell, an environmental scientist and expert in climate policy, who just returned from the COP 29 conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Mitchell.
Dr. Sarah Mitchell (M): Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to share insights from such an important event.
E: COP 29 has been gathering a lot of attention. You attended the conference—what was the atmosphere like upon your arrival?
M: The moment I stepped into Baku on November 7th, I was struck by a sense of urgency and commitment. Thousands of delegates from 198 countries filled the Olympic Stadium, all ready to tackle environmental challenges head-on. There was a collective spirit of hope, despite the difficult realities we face.
E: That sounds inspiring! Can you tell us more about the discussions you observed, especially regarding countries like Pakistan and their environmental concerns?
M: Absolutely. At COP 29, there was significant focus on green financing and developing a green economy. Pakistan’s pavilion was buzzing with discussions around their recent experiences with climate-induced disasters, particularly floods. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized the critical need for adaptation finance and introduced the new Climate Investment Fund dedicated to agriculture—a major step toward climate resilience.
E: The mention of the Climate Investment Fund sounds promising. How do you think this initiative will affect Pakistan’s approach to climate issues moving forward?
M: This fund represents a foundational shift for Pakistan, particularly given their loss of billions due to climate impacts in recent years. With the commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, this initiative could provide the necessary financing to develop adaptive measures and sustainable practices in agriculture, which is vital for Pakistan’s economy and food security.
E: The concept of Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs, has been mentioned frequently during the conference. Can you explain their significance?
M: Certainly! NDCs are critical components of the Paris Agreement, showcasing each country’s plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The NDCs are essentially environmental blueprints that detail how nations intend to meet their climate goals, adapting their strategies every five years based on new scientific findings and technological advancements. The current emphasis on NDCs reflects a global recognition of their importance as we strive to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
E: At COP 29, the UN Secretary-General referred to NDCs as the most important policy documents of the century. Why do you think they carry such weight?
M: NDCs are essentially a country’s commitment to the global climate agenda. As we face a climate crisis, they serve as guiding documents to hold nations accountable for their commitments. By setting tangible targets, countries can mobilize action and resources, making NDCs crucial for international collaboration and climate justice.
E: Reflecting on the discussions you’ve witnessed, what do you believe are the biggest challenges and opportunities moving forward from COP 29?
M: The biggest challenge remains the disparity in resources and capacities among nations. While developed nations have the financial muscle to invest in climate resilience, many developing nations struggle significantly. However, this conference also opened up channels for dialog and support. The pivotal opportunity lies in fostering international partnerships, innovative financing mechanisms, and facilitating technology transfer to build a comprehensive response to climate change. Together, the countries have the power to shape a more sustainable future.
E: Thank you, Dr. Mitchell, for sharing your insights and experiences from COP 29. It’s clear that this conference holds significant promise for global climate action.
M: Thank you for having me! Let’s hope the commitments made translate into real, impactful action in the near future.
E: We certainly hope so! Stay tuned to Time.news for more coverage on global climate initiatives.