COP29

Despite past fears from Chernobyl and Fukushima, nuclear energy is re-emerging as a reliable, clean power source. France's reliance showcases low emissions, while Germany's shutdown increased fossil fuel use. Modern reactors boast enhanced safety features, and global expansion is underway with new designs like SMRs promising efficiency and a smaller environmental footprint.

There is an overall consensus that Azerbaijan should host the cop29 U.N. climate summit next year, the country's ecology minister Mukhtar Babayev said on Saturday. "I'm delighted to announce that there is an overall consensus on the candidacy of Azerbaijan to host cop29," he told the COP28 summit in Dubai. Nations from the Eastern European region, which is due to host next year's summit, have been deadlocked over the host of the next global gathering to address climate change.

Over 1,700 fossil fuel lobbyists were granted access to the UN climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, outnumbering delegates from almost every country except the host nation, Brazil, and Turkey. This presence of industry representatives overshadows that of delegates from the 10 most climate-vulnerable nations combined.

Azerbaijan is tipped to host next year's UN climate summit, after striking a late deal with longtime adversary Armenia over its bid. The Azeri bid, which has the support of most countries in the UN's Eastern Europe regional group, is expected to win support at the COP28 climate summit. Diplomats are racing to find a deal before the scheduled end of COP28 on December 12. The choice of the next host has left little time for preparation.

The cop29 conference in Baku has established global standards for carbon trading under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, potentially unlocking billions in climate finance. This new framework aims to reduce climate plan costs and benefit developing countries. However, previous issues like greenwashing and fairness in carbon markets persist, requiring strong governance and effective implementation.

cop29 concluded with a landmark agreement on global carbon market regulations, resolving a decade-long debate. Starting next year, a UN-managed system will facilitate the trade of carbon credits earned through verified green projects. This initiative aims to accelerate emissions reduction, promote sustainable development, and potentially save countries up to $250 billion annually.

UN cop29 conference in Baku aims to push rich countries to increase climate finance for developing nations, addressing disagreements over funding needs and responsibilities. India calls for $1 trillion annually, while campaigners seek clear categories and grants instead of loans. Proposals include global taxes and debt cancellation to support climate investments.

Negotiations at cop29 in Baku are in their final hours, with developing countries demanding a concrete post-2025 climate finance goal. While the latest draft acknowledges key issues like 'loss and damage' and prioritising grants, it lacks a firm financial commitment, leaving the final outcome uncertain.

India is poised to prioritize climate finance accountability and safeguarding vulnerable communities at cop29 in Baku. Leading a 19-member delegation, India will urge developed nations to accelerate their net-zero commitments and deliver on climate finance promises, emphasizing the need for equitable energy transition and robust support for adaptation measures.

The hosts of the coming UN climate summit said Monday that a hard-fought finance pact for poorer countries must include "hundreds of billions" of dollars from wealthy governments. Developing countries have pushed government grants to comprise the bulk of climate finance under the new deal, saying loans compound their debt problems.

At cop29, India criticized developed nations for their reluctance to address climate finance and mitigation, emphasizing that progress on climate action in developing countries hinges on receiving financial and technological support. India accused wealthy nations of delaying action and burdening developing countries with unrealistic expectations.

As the cop29 climate negotiations near, countries have yet to agree on a new funding goal for aiding developing nations. Proposals vary from massively increased donations to including wealthy, high-emission countries like China. This debate remains a major challenge for reaching consensus at the summit in Azerbaijan this November.

International negotiations on money to help developing countries tackle climate change concluded without a breakthrough this week, just two months before Azerbaijan hosts the United Nations climate summit. "It is shameful how developed countries have been undermining these finance negotiations," Paoli said.

At the upcoming cop29 in Baku, the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell urges governments to agree on a new climate finance goal focused on public funding for developing nations. He emphasizes that the funding should be accessible, mainly in the form of grants, and aims to leverage private finance.

Influential countries have urged G20 nations to enhance climate action financing and reduce fossil fuel investments. The High Ambition Coalition emphasized collaboration at cop29 in Baku to establish a new climate finance goal. They underscored the need to address debt burdens and mobilize resources for a global energy transition, stressing the importance of public finance investment in renewables.

At cop29, India is advocating for clear standards in carbon market creation and pushing for substantial climate finance for developing nations. India emphasized the need for accessible, predictable funding exceeding $1.3 trillion annually to support mitigation, adaptation, and address loss and damage.

World leaders gathered at the cop29 climate summit in Baku, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer taking center stage. Starmer announced ambitious new climate goals for the UK, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% by 2035.

Rachel Kyte, an Oxford University professor specializing in climate policy, has been appointed as Britain's new climate envoy. Her role begins ahead of COP 29, the upcoming UN climate summit in Azerbaijan. With a background in sustainable energy and international roles at the World Bank and United Nations, Kyte aims to bolster UK's leadership in global climate politics.

Negotiations at the UN climate summit in Baku extended beyond the Friday deadline due to disagreements over climate finance. Developing countries rejected the proposed $250 billion per year by 2035, deeming it insufficient and lacking in public finance commitments from developed nations.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warns that humanity is suffering severely from global warming inaction, with time running out to correct course. A new UNEP report indicates that without drastic emission cuts by 2035, limiting warming to 1.5C is unlikely. The current pace points to catastrophic 3.1C warming, urging immediate increased investment in technologies like solar and wind to bridge the emissions gap.

At cop29, India firmly stated that developed nations must provide \$1.3 trillion in climate finance, with \$600 billion as grants, to support developing countries' climate actions. India emphasized that shifting focus from finance to mitigation is unacceptable and urged for a balanced approach, highlighting that ambitious climate goals require substantial financial support.

Twenty-five countries at the cop29 climate summit Wednesday pledged not to build any new unabated coal-power plants, in a push to accelerate the phaseout of the highly polluting fossil fuel. EU climate envoy Wopke Hoekstra, who signed the initiative, said coal power was still growing despite a historic commitment made at last year's COP to use less fossil fuels for energy.