By Bunmi Yekini
As COP29 approaches, ActionAid has unveiled its core demands, urging wealthy, high-emission countries to fulfill their financial obligations and provide critical support to combat the climate crisis. The organization will be represented by a delegation of experts and activists from the Global South, ready to advocate for climate action that centers marginalized communities, women, and young people.
“Climate finance must be transformed,” said an ActionAid representative. “COP29 must agree to a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) with at least $1 trillion in annual, grant-based public funding for developing countries. This is not about loans or private investments; it’s about holding wealthier nations accountable for their historical responsibility and ensuring these funds reach the communities on the front lines.”
A core focus for ActionAid is on adaptation finance, which has long been sidelined. “The time has come for adaptation to receive the attention it deserves,” ActionAid emphasized. “COP29 must establish a robust framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation, ensuring funds are allocated to help local communities, especially women and ecosystems, to adapt to the climate crisis.”
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Another demand is stronger enforcement of carbon market regulations under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. “Carbon offsets allow rich countries and corporations to delay real action and profit from pollution,” an ActionAid spokesperson said. “COP29 must set rules to curb greenwashing and protect vulnerable nations from exploitation.”
ActionAid also highlights the need for gender-responsive climate policy. “Women bear a disproportionate burden of climate impacts, yet their leadership in climate action is often ignored,” stated ActionAid. “Gender must be mainstreamed across all negotiation tracks, with clear targets, gender-disaggregated data, and adequate resources to support the next Gender Action Plan.”
Finally, ActionAid calls for an urgent shift in agricultural investments. “Industrial agriculture is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gases,” said an ActionAid representative. “It’s time to divest from this harmful model and invest in agroecology. Developing countries need financial support to transition to sustainable farming practices.”