Clean Air Task Force to send expert delegation to COP29, urging world leaders to move from pledges to progress
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) will send a delegation to the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, to challenge world leaders to move beyond pledges and take urgent, concrete action to tackle the full scale of the climate challenge. With a clear focus on advancing ambitious, fit-for-purpose policies to decarbonize the global economy, CATF will engage with policymakers, industry leaders, and other key stakeholders to champion innovative, disruptive solutions that work within the complex realities of the global energy system.
“Traditional climate and energy strategies have fallen short in addressing the geopolitical, economic, and technical complexities we’re facing today,” said Lee Beck, Senior Director for Europe and the Middle East. “At COP29, our delegation is committed to sparking hard and honest conversations around the need for an expanded climate solutions set. From scaling clean firm power like nuclear fission, fusion energy, and carbon capture to slashing methane emissions and transforming climate finance for emerging and developing economies, CATF is advancing ambitious action at COP29 that not only challenges the status quo but moves us from pledges to progress.”
A key issue at COP29 will be the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG). Countries are expected to agree on a post-2025 climate finance target, as the current goal – $100 billion per year from developed nations – will expire in 2025. This goal was first met in 2022, but a 2023 report by the Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance estimated that developing countries will require $2.4 trillion annually by 2030 to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Determining who will contribute to this new goal, and how much, will be one of the most contentious issues at COP29.
“This year’s COP is crucial for meeting climate finance targets and supporting energy systems transformation in emerging and developing economies, particularly in Africa,” said Lily Odarno, Director, Energy and Climate Innovation – Africa. “Unlike most developed nations, African nations are tackling climate change while simultaneously working to lift millions out of poverty and build out regional energy systems. This balancing act requires pragmatism and an understanding of the unique opportunities and trade-offs involved. Whether it’s geothermal-rich Kenya or hydrocarbon-dependent Nigeria, each nation requires tailored approaches that reflect their specific energy landscape. This is essential to ensuring the energy transition is inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to local needs.”
COP29 will mark the second consecutive climate conference hosted by a major fossil fuel exporter – in this case, a petrostate with complex geopolitical dynamics. As a key gas supplier to Europe, an importer of Russian gas, and a region marred by the lingering shadow of conflict with Armenia, geopolitics and the role of oil and gas in the energy transition will once again be central to discussions at the United Nations (UN) conference.
“The world is entering a geopolitical tipping point, here shifting centers of power are challenging the multilateral frameworks that have historically driven climate action.” added Beck. “As new regional blocs and alliances emerge, we’re seeing the evolution of a multipolar system that challenges the traditional multilateral frameworks. This shift should be used to create a more diverse and inclusive narrative around climate solutions that recognizes the unique needs of energy economies and embraces a wider set of technologies to meet global decarbonization targets.”
At COP29, CATF will focus on several key priorities:
- Expanding the climate solution set with a focus on clean firm power, including nuclear energy, fusion energy, superhot rock geothermal, carbon capture and storage, and zero-carbon fuels like clean hydrogen.
- Mitigating methane emissions through international cooperation under the Global Methane Pledge and Fossil Fuel Regulatory Programme.
- Enabling clean energy and climate finance in emerging and developing economies by driving policy reforms and fostering international cooperation, particularly to accelerate Africa’s transition to clean, sustainable energy and improve access to electricity across the continent.
- Advocating for high-quality carbon markets and stronger regulatory frameworks to improve the integrity and credibility of voluntary carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
CATF’s delegation will include over a dozen experts from the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Africa with expertise on a diverse range of topics. The delegation will participate in a range of official COP29 events, including panels, bilateral meetings, and public discussions to drive forward the dialogue on innovative climate solutions and ensure that the world remains on track to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
To learn more about CATF’s work at COP29 and our delegation, visit https://www.catf.us/cop29/.
Press Contact
Natalie Volk, Communications Manager, [email protected], +1 703-785-9580
About Clean Air Task Force
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With more than 25 years of internationally recognized expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world. Visit catf.us and follow @cleanaircatf.
