Isabella Lövin MEP, a Swedish Green Party politician and vice-chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Development, along with Michael Bloss MEP, held a briefing today, outlining key concerns ahead of COP29, scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11th to 22nd, 2024.
Addressing the media and other attendees, they called upon the European Union to assume a more decisive role in advancing climate action, citing both the critical global emissions trajectory and the host nation’s misalignment with climate objectives.
Host Country Controversy
Michael Bloss MEP
Bloss was direct in his criticism of Azerbaijan as the venue for this year’s climate summit, describing the country as a “fossil autocracy” with significant limitations on press freedom and civil liberties.
He stated that hosting the COP in such a context undermines climate goals, particularly as the country remains heavily reliant on fossil fuel production and has even announced plans to expand its gas production.
“The European Parliament has already called for an end to the gas purchase agreement with Azerbaijan,” Bloss said, expressing frustration that European gas purchases indirectly finance the ongoing war in Ukraine, as Azerbaijan has reportedly re-exported Russian gas to European markets.
COP Goals: New Financial Mechanisms and Emissions Reduction Targets
The briefing also addressed the broader aims of COP29, with both politicians emphasising the need to uphold the promises made at COP28 in Dubai.
Isabella Lövin
Mme. Lövin, whose political career includes holding the office of Minister for the Environment from 2019 to 2021, noted that with the world currently on a trajectory towards a 3.1-degree increase in global temperature, compared to the 1.5-degree target outlined in the Paris Agreement, “substantial financial and policy measures must be urgently agreed upon.”
She outlined the EU’s responsibility to be a “reliable partner” to developing nations, as established under previous agreements, and to ensure that necessary climate finance commitments are met.
She also stressed the need for the EU to define a new financial target for climate finance post-2025. While the current annual target stands at $100 billion, established in 2009 and met only as of 2022, this amount falls short of what is necessary to address emissions and aid vulnerable nations. As developing countries remain sceptical of the developed world’s commitment, a new framework with clear targets and more substantial financial contributions is required.
Additionally, the European Union’s role in reducing emissions was highlighted. The two MEPs urged the EU to clarify its mid-term goals, particularly in updating its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are due for review and expected to set a target for 2035.
The Green Party representatives advocated for no new coal extraction after 2030, a complete phase-out of gas by 2035, and an end to oil production by 2040. They also emphasised the urgency of immediately halting fossil fuel subsidies, which they say contradict the EU’s declared ambition of climate leadership.
A Role for Article 6 and Closing the Climate Finance Gap
Questions from attendees turned to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which provides mechanisms for international cooperation in emissions reduction, allowing developed countries to finance projects in developing countries. Both Bloss and Lövin highlighted the need for robust transparency and strict criteria to prevent what they termed “double accounting” or “greenwashing.”
They argued that developed countries should not merely offload their emissions reductions onto developing nations without taking corresponding action at home.
On the question of whether Article 6 could bridge the climate finance gap, Mme. Lövin was clear in her scepticism: “This mechanism alone cannot address the scale of financial need required for a true transition,” she said, pointing out that public finance remains insufficient to meet current needs, which are projected to rise to trillions of dollars annually by 2030.
She called for a full economic shift, stating that “every financial mechanism should now support sustainability and transition,” with investment in renewable energy, agriculture, carbon storage, and nature-based solutions essential to achieving global climate objectives.
The EU’s Influence and the Question of Fossil Fuel Interests
Concerns were raised about the influence of fossil fuel interests at COP29, with over 2,400 fossil fuel lobbyists expected to attend, raising questions about their role in shaping the agenda. Both MEPs argued that COP events should not be hosted in fossil-dependent nations, stating that this grants these countries undue influence over the conference outcomes.
“Fossil interests are fundamentally at odds with climate action goals,” Bloss noted, emphasising the importance of prioritising countries with a vested interest in emissions reduction and sustainability. Lövin cited the United Arab Emirates’ handling of last year’s COP as a cautionary example, where oil and gas deals reportedly featured in discussions, undermining the primary objectives of the summit.
Questions on the United States’ Role and Future of COP Events
In response to questions regarding the role of the United States, Bloss and Lövin acknowledged the complexities posed by its leadership. While the U.S. is a major democracy, it is also one of the largest fossil fuel producers, creating a complex position for its role in global climate agreements.
Bloss recalled the challenges faced under previous U.S. administrations, noting that when the U.S. withdrew from the Paris Agreement, “no other major nation stepped forward,” underscoring the importance of American commitment to global climate efforts.
The two representatives concluded with a reaffirmation of the EU’s responsibility to take a leading role at COP29 and to continue to hold itself accountable, irrespective of the host country’s stance.
Bloss remarked that while the MEPs would not be sitting at the negotiation table, the delegation would play a watchdog role, pressuring for accountability and transparency throughout the negotiations.
With the stakes at COP29 especially high, both Lövin and Bloss committed to advocating for a successful summit, calling for the EU and other developed nations to honour their climate obligations.
