By Alastair Collier of A Healthier Earth
With COP29 in Azerbaijan now over, it’s all too easy to dwell on its lack of progress on climate action. However, we can’t waste time or energy mulling over what was always going to be a controversial COP, given that it was hosted by an oil state. In the face of an escalating climate crisis, we must up our ambition and look forward to COP30 in Brazil. Home to the world’s biggest rainforest, the ‘lungs of the Earth’, the South American nation should host a very different set of climate talks in 2025.
Reflections on COP29
Beforehand, COP29 was dubbed ‘the finance COP’, which gave us hope for progress on climate finance initiatives. In this regard, one positive step forward is that a deal was struck on Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, meaning that there is finally consensus on a framework for a global carbon market led by the UN.
Up until now, the lack of global leadership and clarity on this key issue has prevented much needed investment in the climate solutions that can contribute to global decarbonisation and carbon removal, while helping societies adapt to the realities of an overheating world.
With standards for a centralised international carbon trading market now agreed, we can hope for a better distribution of climate finance and more capital for high-integrity carbon credits. By facilitating fluid, responsible and fair international trade, this enhanced global carbon market should enable vital climate solutions to be scaled at the requisite rapid pace.
However, this was one of COP29’s few real advances. Overall, it won’t be remembered for inspiring leadership or progress, especially in terms of important negotiations on the new climate finance goal. The target agreed just isn’t enough. In the developed countries responsible for most emissions, political will is lacking to support the poorer countries that are suffering the worst effects of rising temperatures.
All eyes on Brazil
With COP30 taking place next year in Belém, at the gateway to the Amazon River, it will be the first time the climate conference has taken place in Latin America since 2014’s COP20 in Peru. With this change of continent, we’re hoping for bold action and genuine momentum. Already, we’re seeing positive signs from Brazil’s leaders that they will not shy away from the crucial conversations about fossil fuels that were lacking in Azerbaijan.
At A Healthier Earth, we are particularly looking forward to the climate conference taking place in the Amazon, as it’s the site of the discovery of one of our climate solutions – biochar, a form of captured and sequestered carbon. Struggling to find enough healthy soil on which to grow food for their expanding population thousands of years ago, Amazonian people bio-engineered fertile soil by adding charcoal to it. Now we can use their ancient knowledge to combat climate change and nature breakdown.
As COP28’s official biochar partner, we enjoyed showcasing its amazing environmental benefits at Expo City Farm in the United Arab Emirates. But for COP30 in Brazil, we want to go much further – not least because it’s the perfect location for bringing biochar to an even wider global audience
We have big plans for COP30. Alongside other leaders in the biochar and carbon removal industries, we aim to highlight the powerful, scalable climate solutions that already exist. As the dust settles on COP29, all eyes should turn to Belém 2025, as it will be an opportunity to breathe fresh energy and ambition into climate action. This will be the year for huge progress and real change.