Remarks as Delivered by Senior Advisor John Podesta at COP29

Colleagues, on behalf of President Biden: the United States is here at COP29 to help produce successful outcomes that keep 1.5 C alive.

We face an urgent question: do we secure sustainable prosperity for our countries, or do we condemn our most vulnerable to unimaginable climate disasters?

2024 will be the hottest year on record.

The consequences of a rapidly warming planet are all around us: from the hundreds of people killed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the United States, to the millions of children at risk of starvation in southern Africa from the worst drought in decades… to the torrential rain stranded students in schools, and displaced nearly 100,000 in Colombia.

Vulnerable communities do not just need ambition - they need action.

That's why President Biden and Vice President Harris have marshalled unprecedented climate resources over the past four years.

Because of historic private sector investments made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, the United States economy will continue down the path of decarbonization, reducing emissions for years to come.

And we are on track to meet President Biden's ambitious international public finance commitment of $11 billion per year by the end of 2024.

To accelerate our progress here at COP29, we need to first conclude key negotiated outcomes.

This includes building on last year's Global Stocktake… concluding work on Article 6… and adopting a robust NCQG that addresses climate insecurity while building strong, sustainable economies.

It should be multi-layered with an ambitious, realistically achievable support layer involving new contributors… underpinned by a set of qualitative elements that evolve the international financial architecture, enhance access to finance for developing countries, and improve debt sustainability.

Second, countries - particularly major economies - need to keep their Dubai commitment and submit 2035 NDCs that are economy-wide, 1.5 aligned, and include all greenhouse gases.

Third, we encourage countries to submit the first Biennial Transparency Reports by December 31^st. The United States will meet that commitment.

And fourth, promote the "action agenda" of key initiatives outside of the Paris Agreement.

Colleagues, we have a clear choice: between a safer, cleaner, fairer future, and a dirtier, more dangerous, and more expensive one.

We know what to do. Let's get to work. Let's get it done. Thank you.

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