Some faith leaders disappointed in the outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference

PC(USA) staffer bemoans ‘lack of real progress’ at COP29

by Jessica Maudlin, Presbyterian Hunger Program | Special to Presbyterian News Service

PC(USA) delegates to COP29 Alethia White and the Rev. Bill Somplatsky-Jarman at the U.S. booth of COP29 in Baku. (Photo courtesy of Alethia White)

After days of long, intense marathon sessions of negotiation, the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) concluded in the early hours of Sunday morning in Baku, Azerbaijan. The negotiated outcomes included a new $300 billion international climate finance goal, known as the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG).

President Joe Biden issued a statement praising the outcome, noting this goal “will help mobilize the level of finance — from all sources — that developing countries need to accelerate the transition to clean, sustainable economies.”

Talking to reporters after 3 a.m. in Baku, U.S. Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta described the outcome as “a very good result.”

World leaders gathered at COP29 in Baku. (Photo courtesy of the Azerbaijan president)

That’s only one opinion, though.

Disappointments and despair

Sue Rheem, head of office for the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, is disappointed in the way that COP29 ended — and she’s not alone.

“COP29 failed to deliver the critical climate finance necessary to address the needs of climate vulnerable communities,” said Rheem, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) representative to the UN. “While increasing their military spending, countries most responsible for climate change are failing to fund climate action at the scale that is required, which will only increase climate-induced impacts, displacements, and add to the instability across the world … including in the United States, where Hurricane Helene took many lives and devastated communities this past September.”

Sue Rheem (Photo by Rich Copley)

Faith leaders attending as part of the ACT Alliance delegation expressed profound disappointment with the outcome of COP29 and the failure to secure even the minimum asks of the poorest and most vulnerable countries.

Alethia White, a PC(USA) delegate to COP29, shared that her experience at COP29 was quite different in comparison to last year in Dubai for COP28.

“There was a similar disapprobation in regard to the conference host as last year, but it took on greater significance this year as a number of country leaders chose not to attend or pointedly left early or announced their intentions to pull out of the Paris Agreement,” she said. “I talked to a number of delegates from different countries, including some from negotiator teams or political parties, who expressed the same concern that if leaders choose not to come based on discontent with the host, then the chance to discuss these issues face to face is lost.”

Even without being there, President-Elect Donald Trump’s presence was felt across this COP. Many negotiators in Baku were concerned that a second Trump administration would upend years of climate negotiations. Richer nations wanted to commit to raising funding by 2035, believing that date will allow the U.S. to contribute again once Trump has left office.

“The lack of real progress during the COP at a time when the planet feels fragile in so many ways signals lack of real care about the issues and the people experiencing the effects of climate damage,” said White, Regional Liaison for Northern and Central Europe for the PC(USA). “At the same time, any agreement is welcome, and my respect goes to those governments and negotiators who show up, who stick with it, and who choose to look past disagreements and sit at the same table when it is difficult to do so …”

Loss and Damage

One decision at COP29 was made to ensure the full operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, long awaited by developing countries, including small island states, least developed countries and African nations. The establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund was agreed upon during COP27 held in Egypt. The fund aims to provide financial assistance to countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. During COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, a decision was made to launch the Fund’s operations. The COP29 presidency has taken significant steps to ensure the Fund’s operationalization, working closely with its Board and the World Bank. In September of this year, during the Fund’s third board meeting held in Baku, critical measures were taken to commence its operations, including the appointment of Ibrahima Cheikh Diong as the Fund’s Executive Director.

Within the framework of COP29, several important agreements related to the Loss and Damage Fund were signed. These include the “Trustee Agreement” and “Secretariat Hosting Agreement” between the Fund’s Board and the World Bank, as well as the “Host Country Agreement” between the Fund’s Board and the host country, the Republic of the Philippines.

Photo by Travis Leery via Unsplash

To date, the total pledged financial support for the Fund exceeds $730 million. With these achievements, the Loss and Damage Fund will be able to start financing projects beginning in 2025.

But $730 million is a drop in a very large bucket. Indigenous and vulnerable communities, including marginalized groups and individuals dependent on their natural resources and livelihood options, are among the hardest hit, suffering devastating losses of livelihoods, cultural identity, heritage and practices. In many cases they are forced to relocate because of climate-induced hazards. COP29 failed to deliver the necessary solutions to truly avert, minimize and address the needs of climate vulnerable communities.

“I am infuriated to come home to the aftermath of six typhoons that have struck the Philippines in the space of just four weeks with basically zero gains from COP29,” said Patricia Mungcal, humanitarian manager with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, a PC(USA) partner. “I will be telling thousands of Filipino families who were devastated by these strong typhoons that world leaders have left us to suffer the heaviest impacts of the climate crisis and disregarded our demands for finance and reparations.”

“There must be hope …”

Religious organizations stress the need for people of faith not to give up.

“As disciples of Christ, we are called to act in solidarity with the most vulnerable communities and call on member states to take up their shared responsibility for God’s Creation,” Rheem said.

White from the PC(USA) said, “While it feels hard to feel hopeful after such a difficult COP experience, there must be hope in order for there to be meaningful progress, whether that is on a geopolitical level, international sphere, or within local communities.”

Jessica Maudlin is the Associate for Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns for the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Follow the Eco-Justice Journey blog for more posts about COP and other environmental issues.

PC(USA) Communications strategist Darla Carter contributed to this report.