As we approach COP29, we stand at a crucial crossroads in taking a stand against climate change. This global gathering presents a vital opportunity for countries to come together, share ideas, and commit to meaningful action. Here in Australia and the Pacific region, our voices matter more than ever! We need to speak up on issues of Loss and Damage, the climate crisis, enhancing resilience, reducing emissions, ensuring vulnerable communities have the resources they need to adapt to the impacts of climate change and making these polluters pay for the consequences of their actions!
What is COP29 and what happens during these discussions?
COP29 is not just another conference; it’s a chance to reshape our future. It’s a major global event where leaders from 198 states come together to discuss and commit to climate change solutions. This year, is all about finance – the key enabler to implementing what they agreed to from previous COPs.
Understanding these agreements is crucial for Australian and Pacific communities who are experiencing the extreme and deadly impacts of fossil fuel driven climate change.
With rising sea levels threatening our coastlines, extreme weather events impacting our communities, and biodiversity loss accelerating, we need urgent, collective action to safeguard our communities. Australia, on average, has warmed by 1.51 ± 0.23 °C since national records began in 1910. There has been an increase in extreme heat events associated with the warming. In much of the western tropical Pacific, sea levels have risen by around 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) since 1993, nearly twice the global average rate. In the central tropical Pacific, the rise is about 5–10 cm (2–4 inches), according to the State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2023 Report.
What’s on the agenda for COP29?
Expect discussions on climate finance and what states need to contribute domestically to transition to a fossil fuel free world and the adoption of renewable energy at scale.
The New Climate Finance Goal (NCQG) , a new climate finance objective that asks for a large increase in public funding for developing nations, will receive a lot of attention this year. The Make Polluters Pay (MPP) philosophy, which makes big polluters responsible for their impact on nature and the climate, is coupled with this. The time has come for those who profit from pollution to pay for the solutions.
What is the Paris Agreement and 1.5 degrees?
Sadly, it has nothing to do with cheese and croissants. The Paris Agreement is an international treaty established in 2015 to combat climate change and limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees. To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we need to keep global warming below 1.5°C. No new fossil fuel projects can coexist with this goal.
In simple terms, 1.5 degrees is not a ‘nice-to-have’ — it’s a lifeline for Pacific communities who are facing profound impacts to their livelihoods, their irreplaceable cultures and their very existence.
Australia and the Pacific’s role at COP29
Leaders from the Pacific Islands have long been powerful voices in this global conversation, pushing for bold and immediate action. Loss and Damage, Oceans Treaty and a commitment to 1.5°C were all pushed by the small islands.
At COP29, Pacific nations are advocating for fair climate finance, support for adaptation measures, and commitments to halt fossil fuel projects. Yet, while these nations advocate for a fast and fair fossil fuel phase out, Australia—one of the world’s largest fossil fuel exporters—continues to approve and subsidise new coal and gas projects.
At COP28 last year, Australia committed to transition away from fossil fuels signalling the end of the fossil fuel era, but the government continues to greenlight new coal and gas mega projects.
If the Australian government is serious about addressing global emissions, it must stop approving and subsidizing fossil fuel projects — starting with Woodside’s Burrub Hub gas project, a climate disaster which would see 13 times Australia’s annual emissions emitted over its 50 year lifetime.
Instead of propping up polluting, private fossil fuel corporations, the billions of dollars saved could be channelled towards Australian and Pacific communities being directly impacted by the climate crisis. It’s time for polluters to pay for the damage they’ve caused.
And as one of the top global polluters, Australia must lead by example at COP29, especially by making fair and substantial contributions to climate finance, including Loss and Damage funding.
What’s Greenpeace’s role at COP?
COP events draw a diverse mix of attendees including world leaders, government officials, civil society groups, youth activists, Indigenous leaders, corporate lobbyists, scientists, and media, all gathered to address global climate challenges.
Every year as part of global civil society, Greenpeace International along with many regional offices like Australia Pacific sends a team of staff, youth activists, Indigenous leaders and volunteers from global south and north regions to join the negotiations.
It may sound all glitz and glamor but the days are extremely long and energy consuming. You start the day sometimes before sunrise and return back to your room past midnight.
The days are packed with supporting Pacific governments on interventions, drafting text proposals for COP adoption, presenting at side events, assisting allies, organizing mini-actions to amplify our presence, and negotiating between regional blocs.
It is not uncommon to take a short nap under the negotiating tables, to sneak in chocolates for a short food break, to type boring but important notes for 5 hours straight, to catch the wrong bus resulting in new friends in the community, and to enjoy the turmoil of what consensus from 198 countries means – CHAOS!
As an organisation that works in Australia and the Pacific, we are uniquely placed to speak to the Australia-Pacific relationship, amplify Pacific voices, and to push Pacific demands of the Australian government, including on climate finance, fossil fuels, and pushing for an ambitious NDC that is aligned with what’s needed by 2035. We must ensure that the lives of Pacific communities and conversations around Loss and Damage remain front and centre in the COP process, including at COP29.
Press Conference on the state of play at COP28. Camila Jardim, Greenpeace Brasil, Shiva Gounden, Greenpeace Australia Pacific (ltr).
As the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss intensify, it is crucial that the solutions being put forward by leaders directly confront the destructive force driving both: the fossil fuel industry. To confront these intertwined crises, governments must rise to the challenge, taking a cue from the tireless resistance and advocacy efforts of impacted communities, First Nations and civil society to end the fossil fuel order, and move towards a just and sustainable future.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific is calling on the Australian government to:
Make fair and substantial contributions to climate finance, including Loss and Damage funding
Make good on its COP28 commitment to transition away from fossil fuels, i.e. no new fossil fuels, and a fair fast fossil fuel phase out
Set a strong NDC that is 1.5C aligned and includes fossil fuel mitigation
Meet the team!
The Pacific team is growing and we now have five staff across Australia and the Pacific region. Get to know the team here!
Our Pacific team at Greenpeace Australia Pacific is made up of passionate advocates dedicated to protecting the environment and empowering Pacific communities. Led by the Head of Pacific Campaign, an accomplished advocate for environmental sustainability and climate justice, the team works tirelessly to amplify Pacific voices in the fight against climate change. Our Pacific Political Coordinator, a committed advocate from Fiji, focuses on raising awareness about the socio-environmental impacts of mining and other extractive industries in the region. Our Pacific Community Engagement Coordinator plays a key role in supporting communities as they navigate complex environmental and social challenges, while our Pacific Community Mobiliser is dedicated to driving sustainable development and fostering social entrepreneurship within Pacific communities. Finally, our Digital Campaigner uses strategic digital initiatives to raise awareness and build support for Pacific communities facing the brunt of the climate crisis.
Together, this diverse team works to ensure that the Pacific’s voice are heard and that action on climate change is both urgent and fair in conferences such as the COP29 conference, the Pacific Islands Forum Meeting, CHOGM, CBD COP, the ICJAO hearing and many other forums and meets.
We stand in solidarity with nations and communities that are impacted the most from climate impacts. Together, let’s push for a sustainable future that prioritizes justice, equity, and the health of our planet. Instead of funding polluters, let’s invest in communities directly impacted by climate change.
The battle for the future of our planet is not just about reducing emissions, but about preserving cultures, ensuring justice and building a global movement that prioritises life over profit.
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