The twenty-ninth Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (CoP29), which took place over the last two weeks in Baku, Azerbaijan, has closed with an agreement which has produced “deep disappointment” in SEO/BirdLife, which has released a harsh statement in which it denounces “the ineffectiveness of the current United Nations system to reach agreements that respond to the magnitude of the climate crisis”. The dean of Spanish environmental NGOs has identified several “serious deficiencies” in the final texts approved in Baku, “which reflect a worrying disconnection between the magnitude of the climate crisis and the decisions adopted.” According to SEO, three critical areas (financing, mitigation and adaptation) have been marked by a lack of ambition and an integrative vision that recognizes the central role of nature.
This is how Baku has seen SEO
1.Climate financing
The New Quantified Collective Goal (NCQG) represents a limited and insufficient policy improvement. The goal of $300 billion annually in public funds until 2035 does not respond to the urgent needs of developing countries (1.3 trillion annually) and leaves demands for subsidy-based public financing unaddressed, perpetuating unsustainable debt models. Governments could make more than a trillion dollars just from the money currently used on fossil fuel incentives. Furthermore, the elimination of explicit references to the role of biodiversity and nature-based solutions as the axis of climate finance represents a serious setback in the integration of the climate and biodiversity crisis.
2. Mitigation
CoP29 has failed, according to SEO, to operationalize the agreement reached at CoP28 on the progressive phase-out of fossil fuels. “Despite the climate urgency, the final texts – denounce the ornithologists – do not include clear commitments to reach the peak of emissions “nor concrete strategies for a fair energy transition.” The exclusion of carbon-rich ecosystems (such as forests, wetlands and oceans) of the mitigation program is further described by SEO/BirdLife as “a serious omission”, which denotes ignorance about their capacity as “essential” natural sinks to reduce emissions and increase climate resilience.
3. Adaptation
Although it was agreed in Baku to advance in the identification of indicators to measure the progress of the Global Adaptation Goal (GGA), these are, according to SEO, “insufficient to guarantee transformative action.” Mentions of the role of ecosystems in climate resilience are, on the other hand, “weak” and do not reflect their importance as natural barriers against the impacts of climate change. “The opportunity to explicitly insist on the relevance of ecosystems in national adaptation plans has been missed.” Furthermore, SEO adds, financing for adaptation still does not ensure direct and equitable access for the most vulnerable communities, perpetuating a climate justice gap.
Asunción Ruiz, executive director of SEO/BirdLife: “after 29 CoPs, we continue to fail humanity and the planet. This negotiation model is not capable of providing effective responses to a global problem that affects all of us. The climate and biodiversity crisis requires ambitious, integrated and We need additional tools to overcome current limitations and reach real agreements. Perhaps the time has come for the heads of State and Government to directly assume the helm of decisions. that caused the creation of the United Nations to avoid new world wars. “Now we face a crisis of similar magnitude that requires leadership, vision and courage.”
In short, CoP29 – they point out from SEO/BirdLife – has not only been lacking in ambition in terms of individual commitments, but has largely ignored the role of nature as an integrated climate solution: “the absence of substantive references to the link between climate action and biodiversity reflects a lack of alignment with the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention against Desertification”.
The conclusion is that, despite some progress, the agreements reached “are not enough to confront the most urgent global challenge of our era.” After almost three decades of conferences of the parties, the system of climate negotiations – concludes SEO – demonstrates “a structural inability to close the gap between the necessary action and the decisions adopted.”
Asunción Ruiz, executive director of SEO/BirdLife: “Spain has a vital interest in the multilateral system working, in each country doing its part and in denouncing the States that aggravate the problem with their inaction. Furthermore, our country must be exemplary, leading with sectoral policies that “adjust to what the planet and humanity need. All ministries, territories and political forces should do a very serious reflection.”
One year left until CoP30
The thirtieth Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (CoP30) will take place at the end of next year, in 2025, in the Brazilian city of Belém, at the gates of the Amazon. And regarding it, SEO/BirdLife warns that “we cannot afford another year of inaction and minimum meetings; it is essential – they add from this NGO – to work from now on to guarantee that carbon-rich ecosystems, such as the Amazon forests, wetlands and other key sinks, be protagonists in climate decisions.
Ana Márquez, Energy and Climate technician at SEO/BirdLife, from Baku: “We cannot wait for CoP30 to start making decisions. We demand that, over the next 12 months, countries work at the highest level with firmness and determination to build agreements that integrate science, solutions based on nature and synergies with the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Climate Summit. Governments cannot continue to ignore the central role that nature plays in the fight against climate change. Brazil, as host, has the opportunity and responsibility to lead. this necessary change”
SEO/BirdLife therefore urges the international community to reflect on the limitations of the POPs system and the need to introduce “reforms that allow tangible progress in the climate fight.” The organization highlights that, although these summits are “essential for multilateral dialogue”, they are failing to guarantee the transformative action required by the planetary emergency.
Asunción Ruiz, executive director of SEO/BirdLife, Asunción Ruiz, is clear: “we must prioritize the voice of science, vulnerable communities and those who truly seek solutions. The future of the planet needs better COPs, with more commitment and less entertainment”.
Ana Márquez, Energy and Climate Technician at SEO/BirdLife: “The COPs are failing to send clear and forceful signals about the urgency of acting, which forces us to redouble our efforts at home. In Spain, we have clear tasks: eliminating fossil fuels, efficient and zero-emission buildings, electric vehicles, transportation connected and accessible public, responsible renewables, decentralized energy models, sustainable agri-food system, agroecological transition and proximity services, greener and healthier cities, better conserve our native forests and wetlands, and take a leap qualitative in nature-based adaptation. The recent DANA, with its tragic consequences, is a reminder that we cannot postpone these actions. Nature is not only a climate solution; it is our best defense against extreme events that are already here.
Credentials
The Spanish Society of Ornithology (SEO/BirdLife) celebrates its 70 years in 2024, with more than 25,000 members. Its scientific origin, as a reference entity in the study of birdlife, is still valid today, seventy years later. His activism in the fight against climate change and the loss of biodiversity, environmental education and communication are some of the tools he uses “to convey to society a vision in harmony with nature as a guarantee of health and well-being.”
**Given SEO/BirdLife’s emphasis on nature-based solutions, what concrete policy recommendations would they propose to integrate these solutions more effectively into international climate agreements, particularly in relation to finance, mitigation, and adaptation strategies?**
## Navigating the COP29 Aftermath: A Conversation with SEO/BirdLife
**Welcome back to World Today News. Recent events at the COP29 climate summit in Baku have sparked intense debate. Joining us today to analyze the outcomes and dissect what they mean for the future of climate action are two distinguished experts from SEO/BirdLife: Ms. Asunción Ruiz, Executive Director, and Ms. Ana Márquez, Energy and Climate Technician.**
**I. Setting the Stage: A Critical Review of COP29**
* **Ms. Ruiz, SEO/BirdLife has expressed “deep disappointment” with the outcomes of COP29. Could you elaborate on the key shortcomings in the final agreements from your perspective?**
* **For our audience who may not be intimately familiar with COP negotiations, can you help us understand what “structural inability” SEO/BirdLife cites and how it manifests in these agreements?**
* **Ms. Márquez, you were present at the summit in Baku. What were some of the most striking moments or discussions that contributed to this sense of “disappointment”?**
**II. Dissecting the Key Issues: Finance, Mitigation, and Adaptation**
* **Financing: The New Quantified Collective Goal (NCQG) was a major point of contention. Ms. Márquez, SEO/BirdLife argues that the NCQG falls short of addressing the urgent needs of developing countries. Can you outline the specific challenges and potential consequences of this inadequate funding?**
* **Mitigation: A critical aspect of addressing the climate crisis is phasing out fossil fuels. Ms. Ruiz, how did the COP29 discussions address this issue? Do you believe the agreements made will effectively lead to the necessary reduction in emissions? What are your thoughts on the omission of carbon-rich ecosystems in the mitigation program?**
* **Adaptation: The importance of adapting to the already existing impacts of climate change is crucial. Ms. Márquez, what measures were discussed at COP29 to enhance climate resilience? What are your concerns regarding the “weak” mentions of ecosystems and their role in adaptation strategies?**
**III. A Path Forward: Lessons Learned and Next Steps**
* **Ms. Ruiz, SEO/BirdLife has called for “reforms that allow tangible progress” in the COP system. What specific changes would you like to see implemented to enhance the effectiveness of these summits?**
* **With CoP30 approaching in Belém, Brazil, what are your hopes and expectations for this crucial summit? What role do you see Brazil playing in shaping those outcomes?**
* **Ms. Márquez, aside from international negotiations, what concrete actions can individuals, communities, and national governments take to address the urgency highlighted by COP29?**
**Exhibition Submission: Nature at the Heart of the Solution**
* The article highlights the central role of nature in climate solutions. Ms. Ruiz, SEO/BirdLife has been a champion of nature-based solutions. Can you elaborate on the potential of these solutions and provide specific examples of how they can be implemented effectively?
* What message do you have for our viewers who might feel disillusioned or overwhelmed by the pace of progress? What role can hope and individual action play in this global endeavor?
**Thank you both for sharing your insights and expertise. We hope this interview sheds light on the complexities of COP29 and inspires further dialogue and action towards a sustainable future for our planet.**
