Key events
The UNHCR, the UN’s refugee body, has released a report today on how climate breakdown is making life even more difficult for people fleeing war and persecution.
It finds that three-quarters of the 120 million displaced people around the world are in countries severely affected by climate breakdown, and that by 2040 65 countries around the world are expected to face “extreme climate-related hazards”.
The report finds that those living in “extremely fragile states” receive about $2 of adaptation funding each per year, compared with $161 in non-fragile states. It also finds that the vast majority of that funding goes to those in capital cities, overlooking those in rural areas.
Filippo Grandi, the UN’s high commissioner for refugees, said: “The climate emergency represents a deep injustice. People forced to flee, and the communities hosting them, are the least responsible for carbon emissions yet are paying the highest price. The billions of dollars in climate financing never reach them, and humanitarian assistance cannot adequately cover the ever-widening gap. Solutions are at hand, but we need urgent action. Without proper resources and support, those affected will be trapped.”
Keir Starmer to announce UK’s new climate goal
The UK is to announce its new NDC, or nationally determined contribution, at the conference today. My colleague Fiona Harvey revealed last night that it will commit to an emissions reduction of 81% on 1990 levels by 2035.
The target is in line with the recommendation made by the government’s official advisers, the Climate Change Committee. Although campaigners have said the target should be considered the bare minimum the UK should commit to, privately many will feel relieved the target is not lower.
The UK is currently off track to meet its 2030 commitment of a 68% cut in emissions on 1990 levels, having reduced its ambition under the Sunak government.
Read the full story here:
World leaders to speak at day two in Baku
Fiona Harvey
After a rather frustrating first day, when disagreements over the agenda led to delays and false starts, today is – or should be – the day Cop29 really gets going. Put another way, it’s when the circus comes to town, because security ramps up meaning no one can get anywhere, the corridors are packed with guards and camerapeople, and for this segment of the conference world leaders get to bask in the spotlight.
This is the start of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, when heads of state and government arrive. This year, there will be notably fewer from big developed countries than could usually be expected.
After the election of Donald Trump, Joe Biden will not be putting in an appearance, and the beleaguered US delegation are looking anxious. Xi Jinping of China has made a habit of staying at home for Cops. Germany’s Olaf Scholz is facing the dissolution of his coalition, so he won’t be coming.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is stuck in the midst of confirmation hearings for her cabinet, which also means that Cop veterans Teresa Ribera – the dynamic former Spanish environment minister who has galvanised previous Cops – and Dan Jorgensen, the former Danish environment minister who has been a steadying presence since his first Cop in Copenhagen in 2009, will also be stuck in Brussels. Emanuel Macron of France has an ongoing crisis to cope with so is staying in Paris, from where he yesterday waved off Keir Starmer, one of the few heads of major economies to hit Baku.
Starmer is expected to unveil the UK’s NDC and boost the prospect of private sector cash ramping up to join the public money that is expected to be pledged here, through a deal that will see a key climate fundraising vehicle listed in London.
He will be joined by Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey, and others.
There will also be plenty of space given to developing countries to make their points. Mia Mottley of Barbados is here, an electric presence at previous Cops whose ideas for a revolution in climate finance are now becoming mainstream.
For Azerbaijan’s presidency, today will be crucial for national prestige. They will look to capitalise on the presence of leaders to give the instructions to their negotiating teams that are needed to unlock the talks. Behind the scenes and the public speeches, they will try to ensure that political leaders don’t get away with just an exchange of warm words and some photo opportunities.
Welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the Cop29 climate conference, where Tuesday is the first day of the world leaders’ event. The Guardian’s reporters will be bringing you updates from the ground and around the world. I’m Alan Evans, my colleague Damien Gayle will be taking over later, and you can reach us at [email protected].