COP29 Falls Short: Urgent Action Needed Beyond International Agreements to Address the Climate Crisis
The recently concluded COP29 climate summit in Baku,Azerbaijan,has left many observers deeply disappointed. While a landmark agreement to establish a Loss and Damage Fund was a crucial step forward, the overall outcome lacked the decisive action needed to avert catastrophic climate change.The summit underscored a critical reality: relying solely on international consensus is proving insufficient, and governments must proactively implement bold national policies to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and deliver climate justice.
A Missed Opportunity for a fossil Fuel Phase-Out
Despite mounting scientific evidence and increasingly dire climate impacts, COP29 failed to secure a commitment to phase out fossil fuels. The final agreement, while acknowledging the need to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, lacks the binding targets and timelines necessary to achieve the 1.5°C warming limit outlined in the Paris agreement.This hesitancy, driven by procedural hurdles and the requirement for unanimous consensus, highlights the limitations of the current international framework.
“The lack of a firm commitment to a full, fast, fair, and funded fossil fuel phase-out is a notable setback,” explains Ann Harrison, a leading climate policy expert. “The world is already experiencing the devastating consequences of climate change, and incremental steps are simply not enough.”
Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands: national Surtaxes and Ending Fossil Fuel Subsidies
However, the situation isn’t hopeless. Governments don’t need to wait for global agreements to move forward. A powerful and immediately implementable solution lies in imposing profit surtaxes on fossil fuel companies – making the polluter pay for the damage they are causing. Eurodad advocates for a “polluter pays surtax” applied to the global profits of these companies, a measure that could generate considerable revenue for climate action.
Crucially, this revenue must be directed towards non-debt-creating climate finance. Developing nations, disproportionately impacted by climate change, are already burdened with debt. Adding to that burden with loans for climate adaptation and mitigation is counterproductive.
Alongside surtaxes,governments must immediately end all subsidies for fossil fuel production and use. These subsidies artificially lower the cost of fossil fuels, encouraging continued reliance on a system that is driving the planet towards crisis. Eliminating these subsidies would not only free up significant financial resources but also send a powerful signal about the urgency of the transition.
The ICJ Ruling: A Legal Imperative for Climate Action
the International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently delivered a landmark Advisory Opinion that reinforces the legal obligation of states to address the climate crisis. The ICJ confirmed that nations are legally required to make “good faith efforts” to limit warming to 1.5°C and to provide remedy and reparations for climate-related damage. This ruling underscores that climate action isn’t merely a political choice; it’s a legal imperative. It also places a clear obligation on states to hold major polluters accountable for their contributions to the crisis.
Looking Ahead: COP31 and the Role of Türkiye and Australia
All eyes are now on COP31, which will be jointly hosted by Türkiye and Australia. These nations have a critical opportunity to demonstrate genuine climate leadership.
“Türkiye and Australia must demonstrate climate leadership by taking decisive and transparent actions to tackle climate change in line with their international obligations,” Harrison emphasizes. “This includes facilitating meaningful COP outcomes that actually deliver a full, fast, fair and funded fossil fuel phase out, and delivery of support for adaptation.”
Beyond policy commitments, the hosts must ensure an inclusive and accessible COP process. The voices of those most affected by climate change - Indigenous Peoples, affected communities, women, children, people of African descent, people living with disabilities, and workers – must be central to the discussions and solutions. Australia, in particular, has a responsibility to prioritize the needs and concerns of Pacific nations, who are facing existential threats from rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
A Glimmer of Hope: The Just Transition Conference
Amidst the disappointments of COP29, a ray of hope emerged with Colombia and the Netherlands announcing the First International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels, scheduled for next April. This initiative brings together nations committed to defossilizing their economies while protecting workers, communities, and rights holders through a “fast, fair, and fully financed” transition.
This conference will contribute to the development of inclusive, science-based roadmaps on transitioning away from fossil fuels and ending deforestation, spearheaded by the Brazilian presidency. Amnesty international will closely monitor these initiatives to ensure that human rights obligations remain at the
