UN climate talks
After Baku setback, activists call for ‘just transition’ to be front and centre at COP30
Developing states and labour activists say a fair global shift away from fossil fuels requires a firm UN plan for international support
Canada ignores official advice in setting much-criticised 2035 emissions target
While the Net Zero Advisory Body recommended a 50-55% cut in emissions, the government settled for a weaker 45-50% range
New loss and damage fund boss urged to keep costs down
Spending on consultants, business-class plane tickets and a deputy executive director was questioned at the fund’s latest board meeting
New plastics pact text reflects stark divide on production cuts
Diplomats from high-ambition countries urge petrostates to compromise as latest draft text for a global treaty to end plastic pollution leaves all to play for
COP29: Five most dramatic moments from the UN climate summit in Baku
The COP29 climate talks saw tearful speeches, hollow laughs, diplomatic spats and walk-outs before ending with a finance deal pushed through in controversial circumstances
Fossil fuel lobby secures “record” access to crunch talks on new plastics pact
Representatives of ExxonMobil, Dow, BASF and Sabic are among the oil and petrochemical firms with participants at the INC-5 negotiations in South Korea
Global plastics pact “hangs in balance” as petrostates block talks
Major fossil fuel-producing countries are blamed at negotiations in Busan for opposing curbs on plastic manufacturing, a key market for oil and gas
India fires warning shot with rejection of finance deal at COP29
India gave a fiery speech after UN talks approved a new climate finance goal, suggesting rich nations are failing in their duty to help the Global South
“Moment of truth” for plastic pollution as treaty talks get underway
Delegates from 175 countries are set to finalise a new treaty aimed at tackling plastic pollution, with opposition from fossil fuel-producing countries
COP29 Bulletin Day 12: Carbon market rules adopted after walkout delays finance talks
COP29 approved a long-awaited rulebook for carbon markets as vulnerable countries pushed for a bigger slice of a new finance goal, disrupting talks
COP29 Bulletin Day 11: Global South slams proposal for $250bn climate finance goal
The latest text suggests a rich government-led finance goal of $250 billion a year by 2035, which the African Group called “totally unacceptable”
India, donor countries give up on Just Energy Transition Partnership – German official
Germany officials confirmed India and donor countries dropped a deal to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels in the South Asian country
COP29 climate finance talks must have a strong adaptation focus
The new finance goal needs clear and enforceable adaptation targets to help vulnerable countries cope with the impact of climate change
COP29 Bulletin Day 9: Developing nations deride “$200bn” finance rumour
Emerging economies reject an informal number being floated for government provision under the new goal and say they won’t join the donor pool
Can climate funders overcome fear to tread in conflict zones?
At COP29, fragile climate-vulnerable countries launched a network aimed at securing the climate finance they say has been slow to come as their needs surge
Fossil fuel transition talks rescued from brink of collapse at COP29
Countries now have a second chance in Baku to build consensus on how to cut emissions and transition away from fossil fuels
COP29 Bulletin Day 7: Emissions-cutting talks resurrected and G20 nudge on finance
COP29 president Mukhtar Babayev says the summit “cannot be silent on mitigation” as countries split on where to discuss the energy transition
COP29 Bulletin Day 6: Climate march tamed and gender talks gridlocked
Campaigners hold a quiet, static protest – and observers say human rights language and finance are tripping up the COP29 gender negotiations
Adaptation Fund head laments “puzzling” lack of pledges at COP29
Even as leaders highlight the urgency of protecting people from more extreme weather and rising seas, they have been reluctant to pay up at COP29 for the measures needed
COP29 Bulletin Day 5: Pressure to clean up COPs and shortfall in adaptation pledges
Top scientists and former UN chiefs call for fossil fuel-supporting nations to be excluded as COP hosts, while Adaptation Fund struggles for cash