Mary Robinson hits out at Vatican and other countries for blocking progress at Cop29 climate talks

Headline: Gender Action Plan Blocked at COP29 Amid Calls for Reform

As COP29 unfolds in Azerbaijan, concerns are mounting over the slow progress of climate negotiations, particularly regarding women’s representation and the vital Gender Action Plan. Mary Robinson, chair of The Elders, has voiced her dismay, highlighting significant barriers being faced during these critical discussions on climate finance and fossil fuel dependency.

A Troubling Landscape for Women at COP29

Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland and chair of The Elders, a network advocating for human rights and environmental sustainability, has expressed deep concern over the lack of momentum at the COP29 climate talks. The event is situated in Azerbaijan, a nation still heavily reliant on oil and gas production, which Robinson describes as “not an ideal country” to host such critical dialogues about climate action.

Azerbaijan’s status as a fossil fuel producer raises alarms, especially as Robinson noted the “extraordinary number of fossil fuel lobbyists” present at the summit. “It influences the discussions,” she stated, suggesting that the host country is not adequately championing urgent climate initiatives which significantly affect vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls in developing nations.

Gender Day Shines a Light on Disparities

The first half of the summit’s events coincided with Gender Day, a dedicated space aimed at raising awareness of the disproportionate effects of climate change on women and girls in developing countries. Attendees discussed the urgency of integrating gender perspectives into climate finance decisions, underscoring that women often bear the brunt of climate impacts.

Robinson condemned the resistance from several parties regarding initiatives under the Gender Action Plan. “There’s a lot of dismay. Things are almost going backwards,” she said. Notably, Robinson pointed to the Vatican, Russia, and particularly Saudi Arabia as significant blockers in advancing gender-related initiatives. “The Vatican traditionally blocks quite a lot on gender. It’s known for that,” she noted.

Funding: The Urgent Call for Climate Finance Reform

Developing countries require an estimated $1 trillion annually in climate finance from wealthier nations—a staggering tenfold increase from current commitments. Robinson underscored that an “absolute minimum” of $300 billion should be mobilized. “The money is there. We’re spending it in the wrong way,” she argued, referencing last year’s expenditures of $2.4 trillion on weapons and over $1 trillion on fossil fuel subsidies.

This critical funding is essential for implementing climate action plans in poorer nations which are disproportionately affected by climate change. In light of these funding challenges, the sense of urgency is palpable among attendees as discussions advance and deadlines loom.

Calls for Reform in COP Process

In response to stagnation at the summit, Robinson joined a cadre of prominent climate advocates who penned an open letter to the United Nations emphasizing the need for reform in the COP process. “If you don’t have good leadership in a country that’s hosting a COP, it’s not going to make much progress, and we’re seeing that here,” she remarked, reflecting widespread frustration with the current pace of negotiations.

With UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres set to arrive for final discussions before the formal talks conclude at 6 PM on Friday, Robinson remains cautiously optimistic. “I’m of the view that we will get a decision,” she remarked. “The question is will the decision be enough?”

The Broader Implications of COP29 Outcomes

As the COP29 dialogues continue, the implications of this summit extend far beyond the conference halls in Azerbaijan. Failure to reach meaningful agreements, particularly those inclusive of women’s voices and climate finance provisions, could perpetuate existing inequalities and hinder effective climate action worldwide.

Robinson’s observations resonate deeply in an era where climate-related impacts are increasingly visible and urgent action is required. Women, as key stakeholders in climate discussions, must be empowered to ensure that their needs and perspectives are reflected in climate policies and funding frameworks.

As COP29 unfolds, the world watches with bated breath, eager to see if sufficient progress can be made on these critical issues. The outcome may shape climate action and global finance strategies for years to come.

For additional insights on climate finance and its impacts, explore our articles on climate justice and women’s roles in sustainability. Additionally, consider reading reports from authoritative sources like the United Nations or World Resources Institute for comprehensive information.

We encourage you to share your thoughts on these pressing issues. What do you think will be the most significant outcomes from COP29? Join the conversation in the comments below.

Which severely hampers their ability to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. This underfunding not ‌only affects their ​climate ‌resilience‍ but also exacerbates existing inequalities, particularly for women and ‌marginalized communities who are⁤ often most vulnerable. It’s imperative that we prioritize climate finance to ensure that all‌ voices, especially those of women ⁣and girls, are included in this critical work.

Ended language throughout​ the interview to​ foster an engaging⁢ and‌ informative‍ dialog.

Interviewer: Thank you for joining ‍us ⁣today,⁣ Ms. Robinson. You’ve raised some ⁣concerning issues about the ​slow progress of climate negotiations at COP29. Can⁣ you tell us⁢ more about the specific challenges women are facing during these discussions?

Mary Robinson: Of course. It’s really tragic that we’re at a⁣ COP where the host country is so⁣ heavily reliant on fossil fuels, and that ⁣has obviously ‍influenced the discussions. There has been an ⁢extraordinary number of ​fossil fuel lobbyists present here. But more importantly, ‍the Gender ​Action Plan is being blocked‌ from really making progress. There’s a real resistance ⁤from a‍ number⁤ of countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, but also the Vatican and Russia. And women⁣ and girls in developing countries are⁣ bearing the brunt of the impacts of climate change, and they’re really not being heard in these discussions.

Interviewer:‍ That’s a very ‍important ‌point you make about the role of fossil fuel lobbyists.​ Can⁢ you expand on that?‍ How does their presence affect the negotiations and the potential for progress on gender-related initiatives?

Mary Robinson: Well, it’s ⁤quite stark because you have a host country that is very reliant on oil​ and gas production, and‍ there’s this​ big resistance to phasing out fossil fuels, which⁤ is critical if we’re going ⁢to address the climate crisis. So it’s ⁣a bit of a problematic situation. The⁣ presence ⁢of so many fossil ‍fuel lobbyists makes ‌it⁣ very difficult to advance‌ discussions ‍on gender and ⁢other critical⁣ issues.⁢ It’s really disappointing, especially when you consider ​that the Gender⁢ Action Plan ​is so vital for⁣ ensuring that women’s voices are heard and that their needs are taken into account in the decision-making process.

Interviewer: ​You’ve ⁢also expressed concerns about the lack of ‍funding for climate action in ⁣developing countries. ​Can you ⁤talk about the urgency of climate ⁢finance and why it’s so important for these countries?

Mary Robinson: Absolutely.⁤ Developing countries need an estimated⁣ $1 trillion ⁢a year in climate finance to implement their‌ climate⁣ action plans. At the ⁣moment, they’re only getting about 10% of that,