This week, world leaders, policy makers and environment activists were gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan to attend the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The theme for COP29 was “In Solidarity for a Green World” and the call to increase climate financing remains top agenda of the summit.
Global support essential to increase climate resilient projects: President Taye
Ethiopia is implementing meaningful environmental conservation and sustainable development projects to combat climate change. Ethiopia’s Green Legacy initiative is among these national measures in addressing impacts of climate change.
Ethiopia’s proactive measures are bringing meaningful outcomes in protecting and nurturing natural resources. International collaboration and support for such national environmental conservation efforts is essential to ensure the success and sustainability of climate resilient projects.
Global action urgent to limit warming to 1.5°C: President Taye
The world has to keep its promise of the Paris Agreement, agreed to limit global warming to less than 1.5°C. Global action is crucial to cap warming at 1.5°C. Ethiopia is committed to the Paris Agreement and is taking proactive disaster preparedness.
President Taye Atske Selassie, FDRE President said at COP29 in Baku
Climate Finance is not charity: UN Chief
We are in the final countdown to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. And time is not on our side. Due to climate change, natural disasters are worsening and no country is spared. Climate emergency is a story of avoidable injustice. The rich cause the problem and the poor pay the highest price.
Now more than ever finance promises must be kept. Developed countries must race the clock to double adaptation finance to at least $40 billion a year by 2025.Climate finance is not charity. It’s an investment. Climate action is not optional. It’s an imperative. Both are indispensable for a prosperous future for every nation on Earth.
António Guterres, United Nations Secretary General at the COP29
Addressing climate crisis requires equity, historical responsibility: PM Ab
Addressing the climate crisis requires more than just financial targets; it demands equity, common but differentiated responsibility and historical accountability. Clear climate finance definitions are essential to track progress, with new goals prioritizing vulnerable regions, especially least developed countries like those in Africa.
Ethiopia is advancing its Paris Agreement and COP28 commitments through three initiatives, the Green Legacy initiative, which has increased forest coverage by 6% with 40 billion seedlings in six years, an irrigated wheat program that transformed a grain deficit into surplus by 2025 and climate-smart urban projects creating sustainable, greener cities with renewable energy, including electric vehicles.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s (PhD) message in connection with COP29
Now is the time in tackling climate crisis: UN Climate Change Executive Secretary
If at least two thirds of the world’s nations cannot afford to cut emissions quickly, then every nation pays a brutal price. If nations can’t build resilience into supply chains, the entire global economy will be brought to its knees. No country is immune.
We must agree a new global climate finance goal. An ambitious new climate finance goal is entirely in the self-interest of every single nation, including the largest and wealthiest.
But it’s not enough to just agree on a goal. We must work harder to reform the global financial system. We mustn’t let 1.5 slip out of reach. And even as temperatures rise, the implementation of our agreements must claw them back.
Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary at COP29 Opening
Boosting climate financing key to address Africa’s escalating climate challenges: UNECA
Increasing climate financing and global cooperation is an urgent need to address Africa’s escalating climate challenges. Global partnership should match Africa’s commitment to combating climate change with actionable support.
In Africa, nations are losing up to 5% of their GDP annually due to climate related disruptions. Africa, despite its minimal contribution to global emissions, is committed to doing its part. However, we call upon global partners to match this commitment with actionable support, because delaying increases risks for us all. Africa’s climate financing needs, estimated at USD 1.3 trillion.
Claver Gatete, UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Executive Secretary
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2024
