The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference commences on Monday, 11 November 2024. Certain geopolitical changes have taken place beforehand, and integrity in the conduct and environment of the Conference Site in Baku, Azerbaijan, have been raised. Here, Bishop Philip Huggins explores issues raised and offers a recommendation that Australia become permanent host of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – the UN COP Conferences.
Australia – Permanent Home for UN COP Conferences?
UNCOP29 begins on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The whole process needs a lift in spirit.
Even more so, given the results of the US Presidential Election.
A majority of Americans did not weigh the prevention of more catastrophic climate events, some of which they have already seen, above other considerations.
We know what to expect from the man who pulled the U.S out of the Paris Agreement in 2016.
Source: ABC News
People are beginning to arrive in Baku. DFAT’s Smart Traveller advice is generalised but is , nonetheless, sober reading.
I know from my international interfaith colleagues a little more about security concerns. People are scrambling to find a safe way to converse that won’t be interfered with for reasons of intimidation or theft.
And that is only one of the concerns.
As the COP begins, in clear contradiction of the host’s responsibilities,there are reports of deals involving the Chief Executive of the Azerbaijan COP29 team.
A senior official at COP29 climate change conference in Azerbaijan appears to have used his role to arrange a meeting to discuss potential fossil fuel deals, the BBC can report
The chief executive of Cop29 has been filmed apparently agreeing to facilitate fossil fuel deals at the climate summit.
There are other concerns which have meant that people deeply committed to this work are not going to this COP.
Azerbaijan is hosting the next UN climate summit, COP29, in November. Their proposed agenda omits discussions on phasing out fossil fuels and excludes civil society participation. This is not a surprise. Azerbaijan has recently increased oil and gas production, and aims to diversify its economy by expanding mining. Source: The Conversation
Senator Maria Kovacic called on Australian Government to Boycott COP29 in Azerbaijan.
Referencing the Azerbaijani regime’s abysmal environmental and human rights record, Kovacic said: “Azerbaijan’s environmental record is one of pollution and degradation, with vast areas of the country marred by oil spills and unchecked pollution, making it one of the most ecologically devastated regions on our planet.”
What to do in this context?
The work of advocacy and encouragement requires that people can converse safely.The completion of the Paris Agreement before the 1.5° ceiling is passed [if it hasn’t been already], requires freedom of expression and of movement.
UNCOP29 has a huge agenda. I listened to one of our Australian negotiators last week speaking about the details regarding just one uncompleted Article of the Paris Agreement.
These complex matters need careful negotiation so that there is a transparent consensus on what is needed.
Talented, deeply committed people, like this negotiator, are giving the best years of their working lives to this task.
In football terms, they are ‘kicking into the wind’. They need a safe and congenial space in which to complete this crucial work.
Hence this recommendation that Australia offer to be a permanent home for the COP process.
Australia is soon to host a UN COP, probably in 2026.
At this UNCOP in Baku it would be wonderful if Australia would propose that we become the permanent home for the completion of both UNCOP processes-this one beginning in Baku and the Biodiversity COP’s – the 16th of which was recently held in Colombia.
This UNCOP29 is the last that will be held ahead of our next Federal Election. It is an opportunity for the current Labor Government, supported by other Parties and Independents, to do something that gives real hope in a world with so much fear.
Australia is a place where people can meet safely, speak freely and be generously hosted.
This kind of space is exactly what is needed if an international rules-based order, as modelled in the COP’s, is going to deliver us from utter catastrophe.
Inspired leadership is needed.
To help, as people of faith, each day of UNCOP29 a group here in Australia will be meeting online to meditate and pray that this COP will be wonderful. We hope to help cultivate an atmosphere for inspired leadership.
You are invited to join the Daily Prayer / Meditation session during the United Nations Climate Change Conference, commencing Monday, 11 November 2024
9.00 am Perth
10.00 AM Japan
11.00 AM Brisbane (AEST)
11.30 AM South Australia
12:00 PM Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney (AEDT)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97245560434?pwd=Zk5LMTFTMmVxQnNHN1doQ3BuQy9Wdz09
Meeting ID: 972 4556 0434
(or you can use this compressed link if you wish: tiny.cc/forourearth)
This commences the DAILY Zoom Prayers and Meditation for the duration of this year’s UN Climate Change Conference.
You can read more here: https://religionsforpeaceaustralia.org.au/?p=19705
Meanwhile, I offer this recommendation (above) as a consequence of watching and praying. Each day and each choice matters.
BISHOP PHILIP HUGGINS
SUNDAY, 10 November 2024
Bishop Philip Huggins is a bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne. He is a Patron of Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, and member of the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Bishop Huggins is a member of the National Executive of Religions for Peace Australia.
