COP29 Dispatch

What Congress Needs to Know from Baku

Welcome! Today’s themes are human capital, children and youth, health, and education.

Over the weekend, Switzerland joined the UAE, Brazil, and the UK in updating its nationally determined contribution (NDC) ahead of the February 2025 deadline. The U.S. has not said whether it will submit an NDC before this deadline, but has outlined a four-item to-do list for near-term climate action: transitioning to net-zero energy by 2050, ending deforestation, cutting methane and other non-CO2 emissions, and scaling up CO2 removal technologies. As Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Rick Duke emphasized, governments need to stay on a “credible path” toward mid-century climate goals, and he called out the leadership of U.S. states and local governments and the durability of existing policies.

Meanwhile, world leaders are gathering in Brazil (the host country of next year’s COP30) for the G20 Summit, which is being framed by the theme of “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres flew from Baku to Rio to urge the G20 leaders to prioritize the climate crisis, among other global challenges. President Biden, now the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Amazon rainforest, stated, “Some may seek to deny or delay the clean energy revolution that's underway in America, but nobody—nobody—can reverse it.”

If you are in Baku, catch up with EESI President Daniel Bresette and Policy Director Anna McGinn! To connect, email Anna at [email protected].

Come visit us at Exhibit Booth 23 in Area B of the Blue Zone.

Missed yesterday’s edition? Check it out here. We are also compiling key COP29 announcements throughout the conference—check back for updates.

Getting lost in the COP lingo? Check out EESI's glossary of terms and other helpful guides in the Resources section! Looking for more information? Reach out to Anna at [email protected].

TOMORROW

EESI’s official UNFCCC side event is tomorrow (Tuesday, November 19). Join us at this in-person event to learn about the impacts of growing wildfire-related emissions on the global carbon budget, the +1.5 limit, and the next NDCs. A livestream will be available for accredited COP29 participants. Speakers include:

Jennifer Watts, Arctic Program Director and Associate Scientist, Woodwell Climate Research Center
Edward Alexander, Co-Chair of Gwich’in Council International; Head of Delegation to Senior Arctic Officials, Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna, Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, and Response working groups
Pam Pearson, Director, International Cryosphere Climate Initiative
Kaveh Guilanpour, Vice President for International Strategies, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)

Key Takeaways for Congress

Pairs of ministers were assigned to take the lead on negotiations on the new collective quantified goal on climate finance (NCQG), adaptation, Article 6 about carbon markets, and mitigation. (Negotiations)
Seven U.S. legislators attended COP29. Reps. Griffith, James, and Peters discussed the potential for bipartisanship on permitting reform and clean energy exports. Sen. Whitehouse stressed the importance of the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism. (Congress at COP29)
The Department of Energy released the National Blueprint for a Clean and Competitive Industrial Sector, which offers deployable decarbonization strategies for U.S. industry. (U.S. Updates)

Negotiations

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell at the presidency’s open dialogue with NGO constituencies and countries. Credit: IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis

Presidency letter: On Sunday, the COP29 presidency circulated a letter on the path forward for week two. Pairs of ministers were assigned to take the lead on the new collective quantified goal on climate finance (NCQG), adaptation, Article 6 about carbon markets, and mitigation. The presidency committed to hold stocktaking plenaries as well as provide written status reports regularly. COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev called for “renewed determination, a spirit of compromise, and a focus on our shared mission.” For a detailed update on where the negotiations stand, listen to Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s Halfway Point Webinar.

Update from the negotiation rooms: Ministers arrived today to bring negotiations over the finish line this week. A UNFCCC panel discussed where key negotiating issues stand. One expert reported “little progress” and “setbacks” on issues like the mitigation work programme, which did not reach an agreement and will be kicked to the subsidiary body meetings in six months for revisiting, unless the presidency steps in. On the NCQG, the current text for negotiations settled at 25 pages, which includes language on applying a “polluter-pays” principle to high-emitting sectors and on phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. On adaptation, the negotiating text has seen little progress; meanwhile, leaders are discussing a new permanent agenda for the Global Goal on Adaptation. For additional updates on the negotiations, see the Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s daily report (detailed summary) and highlights (quick overview) posted each morning of COP.
- EESI briefing: What’s on the Table for the Negotiations

Congress at COP29

Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions President Heather Reams (far left) with Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), John James (R-Mich.), and Scott Peters (D-Calif.), discussing bipartisan cooperation in U.S. climate policy. Credit: EESI

Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Chief of Staff Jesse Young (left) moderates a discussion with Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) about Congressional support for climate action. Credit: EESI

Two Congressional delegations at COP: Two Congressional delegations attended COP29 over the weekend. On the Senate side, Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) barnstormed the venue, speaking at nine public events. The members of the bipartisan House delegation—Reps. August Pfluger (R-Texas), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), John James (R-Mich.), Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), and Scott Peters (D-Calif.)—were close on the Senators’ heels, meeting with stakeholders and speaking to the international audience in attendance.

Congress at the U.S. Center: The U.S. Center hosted back-to-back events featuring the Senate and House delegations as they laid out their priorities for engagement at COP and greater international cooperation. Sens. Whitehouse and Markey gave their outlook for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in a new political environment. Reps. Griffith, James, and Peters pointed to areas of potential bipartisan cooperation, like permitting reform and increasing exports of U.S. clean energy technologies. Rep. James pointed to the enactment of the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act as proof that representatives and senators want to work across the aisle. He argued that domestic energy independence makes the world more prosperous and peaceful, and a U.S. focus on economic development and security makes the U.S. a more attractive partner than China.

The climate and trade nexus: Sen. Whitehouse described the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) as the world’s “last, best hope” for emission reductions to keep climate goals within reach. He also expects relatively higher CBAM payments by China to become a competitive advantage for the U.S. that could lead to more domestic jobs. Whether CBAM will be a bad deal for developing countries is dependent on their specific circumstances, and he admitted that some nations could feel economic distress. But he still strongly cautioned against weakening CBAM, citing its potential to deliver emission reductions globally at a time when U.S. climate action is in question.
- EESI Article: "Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: A New Age of Sustainable Trade"

Ocean to atmosphere: Sen. Whitehouse spoke on a panel focused on sea level rise and highlighted the need for better ocean observation and mapping. Vice Chair of Egypt’s Marine Hazards Mitigation Center Suzan El-Gharabawy emphasized this point, citing insufficient tidal gauges around the African continent, which means that the center’s sea level rise projections rely on global models rather than local data. In another event, the senator called for a global methane enforcement task force that would hold entities accountable if they are aware of or alerted to methane leaks and do not address them. This is now possible because of game-changing data availability on methane, thanks to organizations like Climate TRACE.
- EESI briefing: Methane Mitigation on the Global Stage

Parliamentarians from around the world: Sen. Markey met up with fellow legislators from Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Egypt, and Uganda, who are members of Parliamentarians for a Fossil-Free Future. They underscored that when national policy changes in high-emitting countries—when strong climate policies are either established or dismantled—it has a ripple effect globally.

House Republican press conference: The five House Republicans at COP29 held a press conference focused on expanding nuclear energy and liquified natural gas to, according to Rep. Pfluger, “restore U.S. energy dominance.” Rep. Griffith highlighted “hard work, research, and technology” as the path forward, while Rep. Balderson emphasized the increasing demand for energy in his district from data centers. Rep. James covered manufacturing, advocating an approach of “innovation rather than regulation.” Rep. Obernolte, co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Fusion Energy Caucus, said that billions of dollars in venture capital going into nuclear fusion gives him confidence that commercial generation is on the horizon.

Members of Congress posting about #COP29:
- Sen. Whitehouse | “Landed in Azerbaijan to tangle with the 1,700+ fossil fuel operatives who are here at COP29 trying to block anything good from happening.”
- Sen. Markey | “[Sen. Whitehouse] and I are at COP29 because just like climate change won’t be solved by any one president, climate action won’t be stopped by any one president. We have to keep fighting for bold climate action on a global scale.”
- Rep. Pfluger | “[The House Committee on Energy and Commerce] is at COP29 to spread the message: America leads in reducing emissions without sacrificing innovation, economic development, or national security. Our partners and allies benefit from U.S. energy exports, technological leadership, and environmental stewardship.”
- Rep. Pallone | “This weekend, I’m at the COP29 climate conference to make it clear to the world that the U.S. is still in the fight. We will not abandon our commitments to combat the worsening climate crisis.”
- Rep. Griffith | “While I’m serving on a bipartisan delegation to the UN Climate Conference in Baku, I will be advocating for conservative perspectives to climate change that highlight appropriate stewardship of our environment without crippling the U.S. economy.”

U.S. Updates

Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy David Turk (center) joins a panel discussion at the Global Renewables Hub. Also photographed is Namibia Minister of Environment and Tourism Pohamba Penomwenyo Shifeta (left) and UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak (right). Credit: State Department via Flickr

Roadmap for U.S. energy transition: A U.S. Center event highlighted a new report, The National Blueprint for a Clean and Competitive Industrial Sector, offering key decarbonization strategies such as accelerating energy efficiency as a cost-effective and available solution, increasing demonstration projects for emerging technological solutions, and advancing research and development for greenhouse gas reduction technologies. Private sector panelists demonstrated their own contributions to these strategies. Helen Walter-Terrinoni of Trane Technologies discussed the company’s investment in low-carbon steel, as well as its work to help farmers switch to cost-effective recycled heating methods for milk pasteurization processes. Speakers, including Department of Energy Deputy Secretary David Turk, listed the industrial sector’s lack of awareness of available decarbonization technologies and the need for regulatory certainty as major barriers to industrial decarbonization.

Latest dance craze, the subnational step-up: A Center for Biological Diversity panel demonstrated state-level climate ambitions. In California, state legislators passed a $10 billion climate bond to invest in renewable energy and in combating climate impacts like drought and wildfires. State Senator Pat Spearman highlighted the nearly 20,500 IRA-induced jobs added in Nevada, and discussed geothermal development in her state’s north and wind development in its central region. In the South, she lauded, “more sunshine … than they have heat in hell, and we are bound and determined to use it.”

GLOBE in focus: At a U.S. Center event, NASA Chief Scientist Kate Calvin and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Advisor on Youth Engagement Lauren Gibson discussed the important role of NASA’s Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program in bringing citizen science from observation to action. Gibson explained that GLOBE gathers on-the-ground data from participants, processes it, and then distributes it to the meteorological community. She cited the success story of 20 schools in Ireland that engaged students in observing rain data and surface permeability in their schoolyards. The classes used that data to analyze flooding impacts and to present nature-based flooding solutions to their schools’ leadership.
- EESI briefing: Innovations in Weather Forecasting for a Changing Climate

Don’t say I didn’t warn you: The American Geophysical Union hosted a U.S. Center discussion on the intersection of science, technology, and policy in addressing climate-induced heat emergencies. NOAA’s Michael Morgan explained the agency’s experimental heat risk tool, launched this year, which forecasts dangerous heat conditions and their health considerations. Morgan also highlighted NOAA’s work in training forecasters around the world to prepare and issue heat wave forecasts, its collaboration with global health professionals to coproduce heat health warnings, and its first-ever national heat strategy under the National Integrated Heat Health Information System.
- EESI podcast: Hot Today, Hotter Tomorrow: Policy Solutions to the Dangers of Extreme Heat

Pop quiz on higher education for climate: Second Nature co-hosted an event at the America Is All In Action Center exploring climate action as a test case for the four missions of higher education—research, teaching, social benefit, and co-creation—with particular emphasis on co-creation. Panelists from institutions in Ohio, Mexico, and Canada discussed how higher education can support local and regional priorities as well as global initiatives for climate action.

Mission continuity at DOD: In a collaborative event between America is All In and the U.S. Green Building Council, Brendan Owens from the Department of Defense (DOD) mentioned DOD’s enormous footprint of 535 installations and 500,000 buildings and structures around the world, and noted that, unfortunately, 99% of DOD’s daily energy is imported into the facilities. He highlighted how solar, nuclear, geothermal, and wind energy can help aid DOD’s mission capabilities by supporting independence from local grids. Owens explained that the civilian power grid, which DOD relies on, “is a known attack vector for both kinetic and cyber [attacks].”
- EESI briefing: The National Security – Climate Adaptation Nexus

Indigenous partnerships for resilience: The Department of the Interior organized a session at the U.S. Center to showcase the application of Indigenous knowledge and science in resilience solutions across the country. Former president of the National Congress of American Indians Fawn Sharp said that “[Indigenous people] are always going to follow the lead of Mother Nature .… Investing in Indigenous peoples is a return on the financial investment, the social investment, and the political investment.” She also stressed that the Indigenous lens is essential for an appropriate valuation of nature and natural resources. Andrea Carmen, executive director of the International Indian Treaty Council, emphasized that the rights of Indigenous peoples must be respected to facilitate full participation from Indigenous groups in climate negotiations.
- EESI podcast: The Gila River Indian Community Is Soaking up Sunshine with Solar Canal Innovation

Around the World

Collaborative art activity at the Turkey Pavilion. Credit: EESI

Switzerland’s NDC update: Switzerland officially released its “updated and enhanced” NDC for the years 2021 to 2030. The NDC, which is in line with the IPCC recommendation to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, will see Switzerland reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% from 1990 levels, meaning a 35% greenhouse gas emissions reduction from 2021 to 2030. In the document, Switzerland notes that it is reviewing domestic fossil fuel subsidies and engaging with Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidies Reform, which advocates for fossil fuel subsidy removal around the world.
- EESI podcast: It’s Time for World Leaders to Put Their Subsidies Where Their Climate Goals Are

A strong data foundation to build on: A collaboration between the International Code Council and Standards Australia aims for better, more transparent, and more reliable data essential for measuring the progress made toward sustainability goals. The built environment is responsible for 40% of energy-related emissions, but implementing solutions that deliver verifiable benefits can be overwhelmed by information barriers like data fragmentation and incompatibility. According to a new white paper, a universal data protocol (UDP) for the built environment will be an extension of the UN Transparency Protocol that aims to reduce greenwashing and ensure accountability. The UPD will eventually facilitate improved regulatory reporting and compliance, especially in the 70 countries that committed to net-zero emissions in buildings by signing the Declaration de Chaillot in March 2024.

Ukrainian nuclear energy: At a U.S. Center event on supporting Ukraine’s nuclear energy industry after the war, German Galushchenko, Ukraine’s minister of energy, and Bonnie Jenkins, under secretary of state for arms control and international security, announced a $30 million investment in three small modular reactor (SMR) partnership projects. These projects include a clean hydrogen and ammonia pilot plant, a coal-to-SMR transition project, and a clean steel roadmap project. Jenkins also highlighted the importance of passive safety systems that do not require intervention or backup power as a key component of Ukrainian energy security.

JETP Progress Report: In a session titled “Fixing the Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs),” labor organizations discussed the challenges they have experienced on the ground with implementation of the JETPs, which are designed to support specific countries in reducing their dependence on coal. A new report at the center of the conversation, Just Energy Transition Partnerships and Beyond: Recommendations for Equitable, Mutually Beneficial and Inclusive Partnerships, highlighted that successful JETPs require head of state-level engagement, stakeholders at the community level involved in decision-making, and a clear just transition framework to guide implementation.

Quitting coal is hard, even with a plan: The pathways to a just transition in coal regions and coal-reliant countries vary based on factors like scale and the ability of local leaders to implement new policies. Shanxi, the biggest coal-producing region in China, has delivered more than 25 billion tons of coal since 1949. Almost one million people in Shanxi work in coal mining, which accounts for more than half of all industrial activity in the province. The massive transition plan for Shanxi involves early retirements and relocation for workers, and encourages entrepreneurship and the expansion of non-coal industries to give workers a sustainable future. A climate justice advocate highlighted that in the Philippines, where coal accounts for 60% of electricity generation and the national government is more committed to the status quo than to harnessing the potential of renewable energy, subnational governments have no choice but to band together and develop a grassroots vision for a just, people-focused transition.

Constructing adaptation for everyone: An event at the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction Adaptation Hub provided an update on the March 2024 report, Why Are We Not Adapting? Liz Beardsley of the U.S. Green Building Council presented four key actions for policymakers: (1) develop a national adaptation plan that focuses on critical infrastructure, (2) incorporate resilience measures into government buildings, (3) establish codes and standards designed for the future, and (4) optimize public funding for new buildings and retrofits.
- EESI article: “Achieving Sustainability in the Built Environment, Brick by Brick”

#AI4ClimateAction: The Paris Committee on Capacity Building and the Climate Technology Centre and Network, both created by the UNFCCC, hosted a joint event on the #AI4ClimateAction Initiative. The initiative, launched last year, studies how artificial intelligence (AI) can be leveraged to advance climate solutions and to explore the challenges AI poses, like intensive energy use and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Last year was also the first time that AI was mentioned in a COP decision. Last week, the initiative announced the finalists of the AI Innovation Grand Challenge, which specifically supports entrepreneurs working in AI in developing countries. The most common project type submitted to the challenge was to improve early-warning systems.
- EESI podcast: Inside DOE’s Newest Office on Artificial Intelligence

Race to Resilience: UN Climate Change High Level Champion Nigar Arpadarai paid a visit to the Resilience Hub to share the Race to Resilience in Action: 2024 Update. According to the report, “In 2024, partners’ action plans covered 2.02 billion people representing … 50.6% of the campaign’s ultimate goal” of people covered by plans. The Race to Resilience is part of the action agenda at COP focused around on-the-ground implementation of climate solutions.

Resources

EESI resources

Briefing series: What Congress Needs to Know About COP29
- What's on the Table for the Negotiations?
- Methane Mitigation on the Global Stage
- U.S.-China Engagement and International Climate Diplomacy
Climate Change Solutions: Bi-weekly newsletter covering climate, energy, and environmental issues
COP29 Announcement Tracker: Key Announcements from the 2024 UN Climate Summit. Also, check out this article with updates on past COP announcements.
U.S. Leaders at COP29: Updates on Members of Congress and Other U.S. Officials at the 2024 UN Climate Summit
EESI's United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Glossary of Terms

Tracking the negotiations

CarbonBrief: Reporting and analysis on the UN climate talks, with in-depth tracking of country positions in the negotiations
COP29 Resource Hub: World Resources Institute's extensive set of resources on the climate negotiations
Earth Negotiations Bulletin: A play-by-play of the negotiations, plus expert analysis from the International Institute for Sustainable Development
ECO Newsletter: The climate advocate’s perspective from Climate Action Network International

Background and logistics

Azerbaijan COP29 presidency website: Priorities, details, and logistics for the negotiations from this year’s host country
UNFCCC COP29 website: Conference details and all updates on documents produced during the negotiations
Congressional Research Service: Reports related to the UNFCCC

Questions about COP29?

Reach out to EESI Policy Director Anna McGinn with your questions. We will get back to you or include the information in an upcoming newsletter.

Thanks for reading!

This newsletter covering COP29 will be running from November 8 - November 25.
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Staff contributors: Daniel Bresette, Molly Brind’Amour, Alison Davis, Amaury Laporte, Anna McGinn, and Nicole Pouy

COP29 Dispatch - November 18, 2024

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