International Advisory Committee Meeting with Selwin Charles Hart, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Climate Action and Assistant Secretary-General for the Climate Action Team

Published 31 May 2024

During the meeting which was held on 31 May, 2024 between the International Advisory Committee to COP29 and Selwin Charles Hart, several topics were discussed that are critical for the success of COP29. 

The discussion began with a stark reminder of the current state of global climate efforts, noting that while there has been some progress since the Paris Agreement, we are still falling behind on the 1.5-degree Celsius goal. The IPCC report's findings were highlighted, emphasizing the urgent need for decarbonization and halting deforestation. Adaptation efforts are lagging, especially in developing countries, where the risk of climate-induced fatalities is significantly higher. The meeting also addressed the outcomes of COP28, marking it as a significant milestone in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, with the first global stocktake completed and new guidelines established for NDC submissions.

The conversation then shifted to priorities for COP29, focusing on generating momentum for new NDCs and the need for countries, particularly the G20, to engage early in preparing their commitments. There was a strong emphasis on climate finance, with concerns about the slow allocation of funds and the need for a more inclusive financial architecture. The disparity in clean energy investments, especially in developing countries, was another major point, alongside the need for the private sector's involvement in scaling up climate action. Several speakers also stressed the importance of gender equality and incorporating gender-responsive components into climate policies. The meeting concluded with a call to align NDCs with development plans, address the cost of capital for clean energy transitions, and consider nuclear energy's role in achieving climate goals.