[vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]COP24 was the climate event of the year, gathering the world’s most important climate players in grueling 11-day negotiations. For the past three years, policymakers and experts have been working towards the conference’s culmination: we finally have a rulebook that completes the Paris Agreement.
It’s not too late to understand what happened and what was agreed on during the negotiations. To get started, we recommend these articles:
1. An excellent in-depth summary by Carbon Brief
If you enjoy nerding out on nitty-gritty details, Carbon brief does a great job explaining the final text and its meaning.
COP24: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Katowice
If you prefer a short summary of the key points, The Guardian has a good one here.
2. Real African perspective
Less than 30 journalists were present from African media houses. Our team had 5 of them, and they explained what the continent expected from COP24. And what is it? Real climate action. Andrew explains it in the Deutsche Welle here.
According to Sharon, they don’t seem very happy with the result of the conference.
Climate finance and access to funds continue to bethe most complicated issues for the continent, as Luz explains here:
Négociations à la COP 24 : Des ambitions revues à la hausse pour Madagascar
3. Women underrepresented
Aside from the lack of African journalists, we also saw a big gender imbalance. Delegations at COP24 were, on average, 63% male to 37% female. Read here a great analysis article by Sophie Yeo.
4. Deal-maker: China accepts uniform transparency rules
This was one of the signs that the deal was nearly done: China agreeing on the transparency rules. Great coverage and explanation by Climate Home:
China open to ‘uniform’ climate rules, sidestepping old allies
5. Coal: COP24’s best friend?
Coal companies were the main sponsors of COP24 and their presence during the negotiations was questioned by civil society. A long in-depth investigative piece by our fellow Hans, from Indonesia:
COP24: Coal casts a shadow over U.N. climate talks in Poland
6. 161 people stopped at the Polish border
Poland, as a host of the conference, stopped 161 activists at the border, most especially before the climate march in Katowice. See Gabriela’s article explaining it.
There were alsorestrictions and a big police presence around the march, covered by Annamaria here.
7. Climate Finance remains a sticky issue
How to fund the transition away from fossil fuels was still the most complicated issue of the negotiations. Manka explains why.
8. Science did not bring consensus
Countries failed to recognise and link the latest science to the climate negotiations, causing a big scandal around the world. Meriam and Lina went ahead and asked Saudi Arabia, one of the countries against including the science, why they don’t like the latest IPCC report:
تقرير هيئة خبراء المناخ بعيون العربية السعودية، باسم العالم العربي
9. Just transition
Just Transition was one of the main highlights of the conference, because a declaration was issued on this topic. It aims to ensure a transition away from fossil fuels leaves no one behind, protecting worker’s rights, ensuring jobs, and preserving communities. Mai explains the challenges for Vietnam.
10. Mixed feelings about the outcome
No one is 100% happy with the final rulebook. This is what Jhesset wrote about it:
States agree on landmark, but weak, global climate pact rules
11. Chile will host COP25
After Brazil backed out, there was a lot of uncertainty on who would host COP25. Finally, after a lot of speculation, Costa Rica will host the pre-COP, while Chile will organise COP25.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]