Page 20 - IB November 2024

COP29 COP29

A cultural item at the opening of COP29

“A DEATH SENTENCE”: PACIFIC

RESPONSES TO COP29

Vanuatu’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and the Regenvanu said: “The ICJ Advisory Opinion has the potential
Environment has a scathing assessment of COP29’s outcomes. to strengthen the Paris Agreement framework by clarifying
“The commitments made in Baku—the dollar amounts the legal obligations of States under international law to act
pledged and the emissions reductions promised—are not on climate change-obligations which have been disregarded
enough. They were never going to be enough. And even then, for too long. This includes obligations to finance adaptation
based on our experience with such pledges in the past, we and mitigation in vulnerable countries and to address loss and
know they will not be fulfilled,” said Ralph Regenvanu. damage. It could help close the glaring gaps in climate finance
He noted that the past two climate COPS have been hosted that COP29 once again left unresolved.
by nations who depend on fossil fuel extraction and that "All of us on this planet are affected by climate change-
Vanuatu’s focus is now on the International Court of Justice regardless of your location, your belief in the science, or your
(ICJ). On December 2, the ICJ will begin hearing testimony motivation to reduce emissions. We need justice and we need
from 110 nations and international non-governmental it urgently.”
organisations. Their case seeks to clarify the legal obligations When COP29 closed in the early hours of November 24,
of States to combat climate change and protect vulnerable parties had set a goal for at least US$300 billion annually by
communities. 2035 to help fight climate change in developing countries.

20 Islands Business, November 2024