NCQG major sticking point at mid-year conference as finance remains frozen, Mitigation Work Programme hindered by mistrust
The road to 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku appears bumpy after the mid-year climate talks in Bonn, Germany concluded June 13, 2024 with little progress, according to researchers from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) who attended the negotiations.
The Bonn talks took place while searing temperatures scorched northern India and Sudan and floods raged in southern Germany, omens of intensifying climate impacts.
Avantika Goswami, CSE’s programme manager for climate change, emphasised the disappointing outcome despite the urgency highlighted by extreme weather events around the world. “For countries that had gathered for the two-weeks of negotiations in Bonn, this did not seem to matter, as distractions and double-speak ruled the talks,” she said in a statement pointing out a lack of focus on critical issues amidst the backdrop of climate disasters.
Read more: Bonn Climate Conference 2024: Stage set for new climate finance goal enroute to Baku
Headline issue of finance sees divergence
A major sticking point was the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance, where developed and developing countries remained far apart. Developing nations called for increased grant-based and concessional financing, while developed countries proposed including certain developing countries in the contributor base, arguing it reflects “new economic realities.”
CSE’s Sehr Raheja emphasised that the Paris Agreement assigns the responsibility of providing finance to developed countries.
“Articles 9.1 and 9.3 of the Paris Agreement speak of developed country obligations of providing finance; the climate finance negotiations are not meant to push more responsibility onto developing countries, but rather, to honour obligations of developed countries to provide means of implementing climate action that is long overdue, in line with needs,” the programme officer for climate change, added.
Developing countries proposed a quantum of $1.1-$1.3 trillion annually, deemed an underestimate by CSE, while developed nations remained silent on the amount.
Goswami stated:
The finance demand must be scaled up in ambition to reflect both the past historical responsibility and today’s growing climate impacts and damages that the developing world is suffering.
Read more: Bonn Climate Conference 2024: 3rd Glasgow dialogue flags need for loss & damage cooperation
Other key negotiations
The first annual dialogue following the Global Stocktake (GST) at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates exposed disagreements. Developed nations focused on demanding stronger mitigation targets from all parties, seemingly avoiding discussions on transitioning away from fossil fuels, a key outcome of the GST.
Tamanna Sengupta, programme officer, climate change at CSE, expressed concern. “With COP29 in an oil-producing nation, the fossil fuel transition is at risk of being sidelined.” Disagreements over the UAE Dialogue on GST further highlighted the divide, with options presented reflecting the contrasting priorities of developed and developing countries.
The 3rd Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage saw developing nations, particularly Least Developed Countries, reiterate the inadequacy of current support mechanisms. Calls were made for an integrated framework for the existing loss and damage mechanisms and a sub-goal on L&D finance under the NCQG.
The Mitigation Work Programme (MWP) negotiations remained deadlocked. Developing countries, particularly large emerging economies, resisted additional pressures, while developed countries pushed for further discussions. This atmosphere of mistrust hinders progress.
Read more: Bonn Climate Conference 2024: Unpacking Article 6 talks in the first week
A lack of coordination will continue to derail this programme, until a better mechanism is devised, Goswami pointed out.
Discussions under Article 6 (market mechanisms) yielded some clarity on certain positions but lacked consensus. A joint workshop before COP29 will address remaining disagreements.
Trishant Dev, programme officer, climate change at CSE, cautioned, “There are conflicting views on some substantial matters, and attempts to have an agreement that satisfies all Parties may dilute resulting guidelines on these matters.”
The Bonn talks highlight the significant challenges that remain before COP29. Bridging the gap between developed and developing countries and fostering trust will be crucial for achieving meaningful progress on climate action.
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