COP29 closes in Baku: comment

Commenting on the conclusion of the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, Gareth Redmond-King, Head of International Programme at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said: "The British public want the UK to provide global leadership on climate change [1] and this COP saw a return to that with alliances forged with the likes of next year’s host Brazil and special roles played in the negotiations. All this in spite of this year’s chaotic Presidency.

"The COP process has historically provided a signal and beyond the negotiation halls the real work is happening at pace with global investment in renewables running at twice the rate of that into fossil fuels. Nearly every country on earth is committed to reaching net zero emissions by mid-century without which climate change will simply continue to become ever more dangerous and costly.

"Those climate extremes are already with us here and now and expert analysis suggests that much more funding and investment than that cited in Baku is needed to protect the lives, and keep the livelihoods of millions of poorer people on the frontline of extreme droughts and floods from collapsing. The UK imports two fifths of our food, much from countries worst hit by climate change, crops like rice and bananas that we simply can’t grow here.

"Unless the world works together to protect those countries and its people, our food supplies cannot be guaranteed. Support for farmers in the UK struggling following the extreme wet winter and those who grow our food overseas will be needed if we are to ensure food security as best we can. Already climate change has added £360 to the average household food bill over the last two years." [2]

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Poll: British public backs stronger climate leadership from politicians: https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4199396/poll-british-public-backs-stronger-climate-leadership-politicians 

2. Climate, Fossil Fuels and UK Food Prices: 2023: https://eciu.net/analysis/reports/2023/climate-fossil-fuels-and-uk-food-prices-2023 (-> eciu.us8.list-manage.com)

3. Recent ECIU analysis highlighted the importance of UK International Climate Finance and its role in improving food security: https://eciu.net/analysis/reports/2024/uk-international-climate-finance-and-food-imports  (-> eciu.us8.list-manage.com)

For more information or for interview requests:

George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net