CoR - Committee of the Regions

11/21/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/21/2024 09:14

EU Cities and Regions at COP29: Flash report 18, 19 & 20 November

Welcome to the fourth and last edition of the COP Chronicles, bringing you the latest news on COP29 from Baku, Azerbaijan.

The final days of the CoR delegation's participation at COP29 have come to an end. During the second week of the conference, the delegation participated in the high-level Ministerial Meeting on Climate and Urbanisation, engaged in panel discussions on climate finance and loss and damage, and strengthened ties with international partners. While negotiations are likely to extend beyond the scheduled final day (tomorrow), the CoR delegation has successfully concluded its attendance at this year's COP and continues to urge national governments to stay committed to climate action and deliver an ambitious outcome for the conference.

Ministerial on Climate and Urbanisation. During COP29's thematic day on multilevel action, the third Ministerial Meeting on Urbanisation and Climate Change highlighted the role of cities in sustainable development and local-national collaboration. The Multisectoral Action Pathways (MAPs) to Resilient and Healthy Cities declaration was launched to shape the road to COP30, alongside the Baku Continuity Coalition, aimed at ensuring synergy between COPs and global events like the World Urban Forum. Juanma Moreno Bonilla (ES/EPP) represented the CoR at the ministerial roundtable on "Nature, Health and Resilience in Cities". The discussion explored ways to tackle extreme heat in cities and improve public health for particularly vulnerable urban populations by implementing nature-based solutions and measures of urban afforestation.

CoR Plenary debate on COP29. During its 163rd Plenary Session, the CoR hosted a debate on COP29. The CoR delegation took the floor at the plenary session, with the President of Andalusia, Juanma Moreno Bonilla, addressing the session live from Baku to provide the CoR members with first-hand insights. Ahead of the critical final days of negotiations, and amidst threats from some national governments to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, the delegation emphasised the vital role of local and regional authorities (LRAs) in the fight against climate change and called for ensuring adequate financing for them at the global level.

Briefing with Commissioner for the climate Wopke Hoekstra. The CoR delegation, represented by Juanma Moreno Bonilla, participated in a briefing with EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra and the Hungarian Presidency of the Council, where they shared updated insights on the current state of negotiations. The session also included delegations from the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

A call to action on the efficient delivery of loss and damage responses at the local and regional level.

The United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), on behalf of the LGMA Constituency, issued a powerful Call to Deliver: An Efficient Local and Subnational Loss and Damage Response, urging all levels of governance to intensify efforts in addressing the severe impacts of climate change. Niina Ratilainen (FI/The Greens) contributed to the panel discussion with representatives from the Global South, highlighting the need for recognition of LRAs' role in promoting climate justice and equity.

Regional Cooperation for Local Administrations and the Private Sector. During this event at the Spanish pavilion, participants discussed innovative opportunities for LRAs to engage with the private sector and mobilise additional financial resources for climate action. Juanma Moreno Bonilla took part in the discussion and shared his experiences from Andalusia, where the region will lead Spain in emission compensation by reforesting 2,500 hectares with 1.5 million trees, which will absorb 300,000 tons of CO₂.

Bilateral discussion with Grupo Español de Crecimiento Verde. The Spanish partnership of more than 60 companies is dedicated to mobilising capital through public-private partnerships. Juanma Moreno Bonilla discussed with their representatives how businesses can help preserve and regenerate natural assets while contributing to a fair transition to a climate-neutral world. He emphasised that clean energy presents an opportunity to reindustrialise Andalusia, and the region intends to seize it. He also highlighted that Andalusia is a reliable ally in protecting the environment while generating employment and well-being.

Meeting with the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA). Juanma Moreno Bonilla discussed with representatives from IDRA how the development of desalination technologies can be accelerated and the role LRAs can play in improving water reuse. He also announced that Sevilla will be the host of the biennial IDRA Water Reuse Summit and the inaugural International Water Reuse High-Level Symposium in May 2025, with a focus on enhancing non-conventional water resources.

Take a visual journey with our COP29 photo gallery and live blog.

Background information