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Human Rights Research Center

COP29 climate talks: Major emitters must right ‘colossal injustice’ on island nations, says UN chief

November 15, 2024


Hurricane Beryl has caused devastation on Union Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. [Image credit: WFP/Fedel Mansour]

Cited article by UN News


HRRC supports the United Nations COP29 talks with small island nations. As the top carbon emitters are from wealthier nations, small island nations are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. It is critical to decrease carbon emissions worldwide and provide support to those countries experiencing serious impacts from climate change.


News Brief


COP29 (Climate Change Conference) talks in Baku, Azerbaijan turned to small island nations facing an existential threat, as United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres insisted that they “deserve support to deal with a crisis [that they] have done next to nothing to create”. Guterres also noted that G20 countries account for around 80 per cent of global emissions as he called for this injustice to end.


Addressing the COP29, the UN chief set out three priorities: First being to spare no effort to keep the 1.5 degrees Celsius target alive, with the biggest emitters – the G20 – in the lead. That means global emissions falling by nine per cent a year to 2030. Second: Following a path towards justice to deliver support and assist small island nations in dealing with climate shocks. This means ensuring significant contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund. Third: Carrying out the aims of Pact for the Future – adopted by consensus in the UN General Assembly at a summit this past September.

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