COP29 and Climate Change: Issues and Solutions

What is COP?

The abbreviation COP stands for "Conference of Parties." COP typically refers to international meetings held within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These meetings, organized under the UN, involve negotiations on implementing agreements aimed at limiting dangerous human interference with our planet's climate system.

COP is the highest decision-making body of the UNFCCC. It consists of representatives from all the "parties," meaning the countries that have agreed to participate in the UNFCCC and fulfill the obligations under the adopted agreements.

The conference is held annually. It serves as a platform for discussing new measures and evaluating the progress made by the parties in achieving the UNFCCC’s overall goal of limiting climate change, particularly the Paris Agreement. This legally binding international treaty on climate change was adopted by 196 parties in 2015 at COP21 in Paris.

The main objective of the Paris Agreement is to keep the increase in global average temperature well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Even better, the aim is to limit the rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

To limit global warming to 1.5°C, greenhouse gas emissions must peak no later than 2025 and decrease by 43% by 2030.

Why is Climate Change Such a Critical Issue for the World?

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These changes can occur naturally. However, since the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, human activities have become the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas.

Burning fossil fuels leads to the emission of greenhouse gases. These gases act like a blanket around the Earth, trapping solar heat in the atmosphere and increasing the temperature.

The average surface temperature of the Earth is now approximately 1.2°C warmer than it was in the late 1800s, and warmer than at any time in the past 100,000 years. The last decade (2011-2020) was the warmest on record, and each of the past four decades has been warmer than the previous one since 1850.

Many people associate climate change primarily with warming, but that’s just the beginning. Since Earth is an interconnected system, changes in one area can trigger shifts across other areas.

The consequences of climate change include severe droughts, water shortages, intense wildfires, and other natural disasters: sea level rise, floods, polar ice melt, catastrophic storms, and loss of biodiversity. Climate change can impact our health, homes, security, jobs, and food supply.

Scientists agree: limiting the rise in global temperature to no more than 1.5°C will help avoid the worst impacts and keep the climate suitable for life. However, if humanity continues business as usual, the temperature could rise by 3°C by the end of this century.

Switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, can reduce emissions that impact the climate. But action is needed now. An increasing number of countries are committing to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. To keep warming below 1.5°C, emissions must be halved by 2030. This requires a significant reduction in the use of coal, oil, and gas.

How the EU Helps Eastern Partnership Countries Combat Climate Change

"Joint Ensuring of Environmental and Climate Resilience" is one of the five long-term goals of the Eastern Partnership policy until 2020. Among other commitments, the EU pledged to support Eastern Partnership countries in meeting their obligations under the Paris Agreement and modernizing their economies by reducing their carbon footprint and striving for climate neutrality.

The EU's Approach Through the Investment and Economic Plan for the Eastern Partnership

The EU aims to:

• Strengthen climate policies and stimulate green investments;
• Assist Eastern Partnership countries in meeting their Paris Agreement commitments;
• Increase financing for climate and green projects in municipal infrastructure, transportation, energy, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
• Enhance EU policy in the production of goods and eco-innovation;
• Improve waste management and increase recycling rates.

In Azerbaijan, the Investment and Economic Plan focuses on investments in sustainable infrastructure and solutions for green cities. For instance, in the city of Ganja, the EU helped modernize over 80% of street lighting, reducing electricity costs.

Regional Programs Funded by the EU

The EU also finances several regional programs operating in Eastern Partnership countries, including:

• EU4ClimateResilience, which supports the green transition and resilience to climate change.
• EU4Environment Green Economy, aimed at preserving natural capital and improving people's well-being.
• EU4Environment Water Resources and Environmental Data, promoting more efficient use of water resources.

Support from European Financial Institutions

European financial institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), provide substantial support for the transition to a green economy. Both banks invest in green infrastructure and promote climate-friendly economic growth.

The Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) is a multilateral donor trust fund, with the EU as the main donor. The fund supports investments in municipal projects focused on improving energy efficiency and protecting the environment. The EU also makes significant contributions to the Green for Growth Fund (GGF).

EU Support at the National Level

At the national level, the EU funds programs in areas such as air quality, water resource management, marine pollution, energy efficiency, waste management, pesticide control, industrial pollution, and sustainable forest management.

You can follow the link for more information on the EU’s support throughout the region.

How to Recognize Climate Change Disinformation

Climate disinformation is widely spread online with the intent of creating division and delaying climate action. This type of disinformation can take many forms, ranging from outright denial and conspiracy theories to subtler misinformation that casts doubt on the causes of climate change or downplays its dangers, suggesting that it is not humanity's fault or that it is less severe than scientists claim.

Disinformation or fake news can appear in various forms, such as:

• Fabricated Content: Completely false information.
• Manipulation: Content that distorts facts and attracts readers with sensational or "clickbait" headlines.
• Imposter Content: False information presented as genuine, designed to imitate credible sources and deceive users.
• Misleading Content: Content that presents opinions or comments as if they were facts.
• Satire and Parody: Humorous but intentionally false content.
• Deepfakes: Fake videos, audio recordings, or images created using advanced technology.

Tips for Identifying Climate Disinformation

1. Check the Information Source: Is the source reliable? Does it reference scientific institutions, academic journals, or reputable news outlets?
2. Pay Attention to Language and Tone: Sensational and overly emotional language or exaggerations can be a red flag for disinformation.
3. Verify the Facts: Look for independent confirmation of the claims on fact-checking websites.

The EU vs Disinfo project helps citizens in different countries understand how propaganda works and build resilience against manipulation in social media and the media. You can read their articles on climate disinformation here.

The EU provides numerous resources and tools to help detect and combat disinformation related to climate change. You can explore them here.

How to Join the Global Movement and Help the Planet

The most important task is to prevent climate deterioration. We can and must make our world consume less energy and cause less harm to the environment. This means finding solutions that will help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Many of these solutions are implemented at the governmental and international levels. However, there are things we can do ourselves. It starts with small changes in our daily lives that help reduce CO2 emissions.

Steps You Can Take:

1. Cleaner Transportation: Walk, cycle, or use public transport. Try to avoid flights whenever possible.
2. Smarter Energy Use: Don’t overheat your home; use energy-saving light bulbs; turn off lights and appliances when not needed; use windows and blinds effectively to maintain the ideal indoor temperature.
3. Green Diet: Eat more vegetables and fruits, and reduce meat consumption. This is not only better for the climate but also for your health. Try not to waste food.
4. Rethink Packaging: Plastic packaging creates a lot of waste and is often difficult to recycle. Avoid packaged products and bring a reusable bag when shopping.

Remember, your everyday choices as a voter and consumer can influence government policies as well as the decisions and innovations of companies.

Learn the Facts

Knowing accurate information about climate change is crucial. It will protect you from disinformation, help you form good habits, and inspire others to take action alongside you.

Here are some resources for reliable information on climate change:

• EU Climate Action: The EU's portal on climate change and European Union policies, including support for citizens.
• United Nations Climate Change: Features the latest news, reports, explanations, and resources, including updates on COP (available in Russian).
• UN Climate Program: Learn more about new scientific discoveries and the fight against climate change.
• Our Planet, Our Future: An EU youth resource. Discover the science behind climate change, what the EU is doing, and how you can contribute.
• How to Talk to People About Climate Action: An EU guide to help you explain the importance of tackling climate change to those who may be skeptical or hesitant to act.
• Actions for a Healthy Planet: Tips from the UN on how to reduce your environmental impact. You can also download a mobile app to calculate your carbon footprint and get recommendations on how to lower it.
• 10 Ways to Help Fight the Climate Crisis: Follow tips from the UN Environment Program.
• EU-Funded Environmental Projects and Success Stories.

Meet Ozzy the Energy-Saving Hamster

Check out Ozzy the Hamster, the star of a joint campaign by EU NEIGHBOURS east and EU4Energy on saving energy. Follow Ozzy’s journey, including his latest adventure focused on renewable energy sources, here.