The 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) in Baku has witnessed slow progress on adaptation negotiations, including the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). Central to the debate is the inclusion of “means of implementation,” encompassing finances, technology transfer, and capacity building from developed to developing nations.
GGA Finance Debate Intensifies
Developing nations, such as the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) and the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), previously sought $400 billion as a GGA target at COP28. However, developed countries argued that adaptation finance discussions belong under the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), scheduled for 2029. The latest GGA text released at COP29 presents options on “means of implementation” but lacks consensus, highlighting unresolved disputes.
Paragraph 11(d) of the text suggests developing indicators to track support from developed to developing countries, aligning with UNFCCC commitments. Paragraph 13 encourages dialogues and workshops to refine these indicators, forming part of the UAE-Belem Work Programme. This initiative, tied to the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience (UAE-FGCR), will conclude at COP30 in Brazil, addressing thematic and dimensional adaptation targets, including risk assessment, planning, and implementation.
A Marshall Islands representative underscored the urgency during a plenary:
“GGA without money means nothing for countries like mine. We published our NAP last year and we need $35 billion for adaptation in my country alone… We are playing with people’s lives.”
Early Warning Systems and Progress at COP29
Despite procedural delays, COP29 achieved advancements in early warning systems, vital for weather-vulnerable nations. Initiatives included expanding weather observation networks and prioritizing community needs through the UN’s Early Warnings for All program. The launch of the 2024 Adaptation Committee report and an adaptation tracking portal also marked notable progress.
Discussions on adaptation will continue at the Subsidiary Bodies conference (SB 62) in Bonn, Germany, in June 2025, with procedural outcomes needing concrete advancements.
