Germany’s Baerbock eyes global climate coalitions at pivotal COP29 summit in Baku

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will be travelling to Baku to attend the COP29 climate summit. 

Ahead of her departure, Baerbock shared her thoughts in a statement issued by the German Foreign Ministry, underlining the urgent global need for climate action, per Caliber.Az.

"The climate crisis is the biggest security policy challenge of our times. It does not stop at borders. It pays no regard to geopolitical tensions. And it certainly does not care about scheduled elections. It impacts the fruit seller in Valencia whose store is flooded by an overflowing river just like the farmer in Somalia whose crop is threatened by droughts and who is thinking about what can be done so that his family will not suffer from hunger. And it impacts people on the Marshall Islands who are wondering how much time is left before their house, their communities and everything on which their lives depend are swallowed by the sea. We know that every tenth of a degree of global warming makes a difference. And we know that together we must do everything in our power to finally get on the 1.5 degree path that was agreed in Paris," she noted.

Baerbock acknowledged the challenges facing the climate negotiations in Baku, noting that while progress has been made in certain technical areas, much work remains ahead. She stressed the importance of continued cooperation among international partners, especially with countries that may not share common ground. 

"We must try over and over again to find ways that we can together make progress on climate-neutral solutions and new opportunities for growth. In Baku, we are working to forge climate coalitions that link continents. Because we will only make headway by working together," she emphasized.

The German Foreign Minister also highlighted the ongoing efforts to establish a new framework for climate finance. "A significant amount of money is at stake, and negotiations are tough. But Germany and Europe stand firm as reliable partners for financing the global transition to a climate-neutral future. At the same time, emerging major emitters must take responsibility for reducing greenhouse gases and contributing to climate finance."

Baerbock further noted that international development banks and the private sector must also be integral parts of this global effort. 

"We will also need the large development banks, which today already play an important role in fighting the climate crisis, to be a part of the effort. And the private sector, too, must contribute," the minister noted.

She reaffirmed the international community's shared goal of transitioning away from fossil fuels, pointing out the momentum of the green transition. "The good news is that the green transition is gaining speed and cannot be stopped. Every year, about 2 trillion dollars are invested globally in renewable energy, double the amount being invested in fossil fuels. Even in oil-rich Texas, renewable energy now accounts for 30 per cent of electricity generation. This shows that there are strong economic incentives for climate-friendly investments."

Addressing the potential for divergence in climate policy, Baerbock expressed Germany's firm stance: "If the United States adopts an 'America first' approach to climate policy, Europe will respond with 'Europe united.' It is absolutely in our vested economic interest to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent."

The COP29 summit, which is being held in Baku from November 11 to 22, is Azerbaijan’s most significant international event to date and marks the first time the country has hosted a COP conference. The event began with the signing of the Host Country Agreement and key documents between Azerbaijan and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. A central goal of COP29 is the establishment of a New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance.

To support this, the COP29 presidency has introduced 14 key initiatives focused on integrating climate action with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These initiatives include the development of green energy corridors, energy storage solutions, strategies for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction from organic waste, and the promotion of green digital technologies. A flagship proposal at the conference is the creation of the Climate Finance Action Fund, aimed at supporting efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Throughout the conference, Azerbaijan has reaffirmed its strong commitment to addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability. The decision to host COP29 reflects the global community's trust in Azerbaijan’s leadership on climate issues. In his opening remarks, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the country’s central role in global climate efforts and its dedication to advancing sustainable development.

By Tamilla Hasanova