Cop Summits ‘No Longer Fit For Purpose’, Say Leading Climate Policy Experts

Leading climate policy experts, including Ban Ki-moon, Mary Robinson, Christiana Figueres, and Johan Rockström, have criticized the UN’s annual climate summits (Cops), deeming them inadequate to tackle the climate crisis. In a letter to the UN, the group demanded reforms, including stricter rules on fossil fuel lobbying and hosting eligibility restricted to countries demonstrating clear climate action.

The experts argue the current negotiation-driven format of the Cops needs to transition into implementation-focused strategies, empowering developing nations with a stronger voice. This year’s Cop29 in Azerbaijan highlights the problem. The host, a major fossil fuel producer, sparked controversy after government officials were filmed promoting fossil fuel deals. President Ilham Aliyev called Azerbaijan’s oil and gas “a gift of God” during the summit’s opening ceremony.

Alarming data revealed fossil fuel lobbyists outnumber representatives from vulnerable nations and Indigenous groups at the summit. Activist coalition Kick Big Polluters Out reported 1,773 lobbyists present at Cop29, eclipsing delegations from the ten most climate-vulnerable countries.

Figueres emphasized the need for fairer representation, stating, “We cannot hope to achieve a just transition without significant reforms to the Cop process.” Former US Vice-President Al Gore added, “The global community must find a more effective way to run these Cops than hosting them in petrostates.”

Key discussions at Cop29 focus on mobilizing $1 trillion annually by 2030 to support poorer nations in reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts. However, disagreements persist over funding contributions from developed countries and emerging economies. Innovative financing options, such as taxes on cryptocurrencies, plastics, frequent flyers, and a 2% wealth tax, have been proposed by a taskforce led by Laurence Tubiana.

Tubiana emphasized the importance of financial solidarity, stating, “There can be no climate justice without fiscal justice.” Her taskforce’s report will be presented before next year’s summit, aiming to ensure wealthier nations contribute their fair share to global climate efforts.