COP29: Okereke Urges Global Leaders for Decisive Climate Action

1. Okereke Calls for Bold Climate Action at COP29
   
2. COP29: A Pivotal Moment for Climate Finance, Says Okereke
   
3. Global Leaders Urged to Prioritize Climate Action at COP29

BY SHEKWOPEYELO

Keynote Address Highlights Urgency for Global Leaders
Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Development at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, has urged global leaders to leverage the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024, as a decisive moment for climate action. He emphasized that current global efforts are insufficient to meet the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius target set by the Paris Agreement.

Need for Increased Climate Finance
During his keynote address at the China Media Salon, Okereke highlighted the acute lack of resources to combat climate change. He called on developed nations to mobilize and provide the necessary climate finance to support vulnerable countries facing severe impacts from climate disasters. He noted that developing countries require an estimated $5.8 trillion to implement their national climate plans and that adaptation finance could reach $1.7 trillion annually by 2050.

ACT2025’s Four Priority Expectations
Okereke outlined the four main priorities established by the ACT2025 consortium ahead of COP29:

1. Ambitious Climate Finance: A New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) that reflects the financial needs of climate-vulnerable nations must be established.
2. Scaling Up Adaptation Efforts: Identifying gaps in adaptation planning is essential for meaningful progress.
3. Responding to Loss and Damage: A new fund must be adequately funded and operational by COP29 to support vulnerable nations.
4. Accelerating Mitigation Ambition: Countries must transition away from fossil fuels, ensuring equitable and just pathways to net-zero emissions.

China’s Role in Climate Action
Okereke acknowledged China’s unique position in global climate governance, urging it to align its actions with the needs of vulnerable countries. He emphasized that COP29 presents a critical opportunity for China to showcase leadership and foster cooperation with the Global South.

Call for Collective Action
In closing, Okereke stressed the importance of international cooperation in securing climate-resilient development pathways. “The outcomes of COP29 will significantly impact our collective future,” he stated.