Dear Friends,
By now we are all well aware that the outcome of COP29 in Baku was deeply disappointing, as developed countries once again failed to meet their historic responsibilities. Public finance for climate action—the central theme of COP29—was met with inadequate ambition, further delaying the urgently needed fair and inclusive shift to low-carbon economies in developing countries.
Despite this, it was heartening to see South Asia civil society representation at Baku, with various CANSA partners and members demanding climate justice at the many side events, press conferences, panel discussions, and demonstrations.
While we are disappointed with the outcome, we remain resolute. Developed nations must demonstrate ambition and deliver on their commitments to meet the 1.5°C goals. In 2025, as we prepare for the road to COP30 in Belem, Brazil, CANSA will continue amplifying community voices from South Asia demanding climate justice even as we advocate for regional cooperation for climate action.
In hope for a better 2025.
Wishing you all a very happy new year!
Sanjay Vashist
Director, Climate Action Network South Asia
For all updates on COP29 check out the special COP29 page on the CANSA website.
COP29 in Baku was supposed to pave the way for decisive climate action, but it concluded with insufficient progress on critical issues such as climate finance and adaptation, exposing the widening gap between promises and reality. However, South Asia’s voices rose above the noise of geopolitics, calling for regional solidarity and climate resilience. Watch the recently launched film on COP29: “The Baku Backslide” for a reflection on COP29 and the path forward for South Asia. Streaming on YouTube here
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At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, world leaders met to tackle urgent climate issues. CANSA stressed on the need for more climate funding to limit global warming to 1.5°C, help communities adapt, and deal with climate damage. South Asian groups called for a $5 trillion yearly funding plan, focusing on grants instead of loans, with at least $1 trillion for helping vulnerable communities and supporting a fair transition. CANSA secretariat representatives participated in several side events, on loss and damage, just energy transition, climate finance, circular economy, adaptation, and urban transformation, as well as two press conferences.
Preparations for COP29 started with a series of pre-COP webinars which allowed civil society members from the South Asian region to prepare for COP, details of which are available on the COP29 page of our website. CANSA’s Key Demands for COP29 were presented in the form of Position Papers; these added to the platform members’ positions for India and the rest of the region.
Daily @COP29 Vlogs were published by CAN South Asia to keep members abreast of what was happening in Baku.
After COP29, CANSA organised two post-COP debrief events which brought together experts to discuss and analyze the outcomes, processes, and experiences related to COP29. For a recording, click here.
A brief round-up of the events at COP is given below, details of which can be accessed here.
Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), NEECA and Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) organised a panel discussion ‘Catalysing Pakistan’s Energy Transition: Pathways to a Sustainable Future’, at the Pakistan Pavilion.
The session emphasized the urgent need to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Dr. Khalid Waleed (SDPI) warned of export risks under the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Dr. Rishikesh Bhandary (Boston University) highlighted retiring coal plants to earn carbon credits for clean energy. Dr. Sardar Mohazzam (NEECA) introduced a program promoting energy efficiency via On-Bill Financing. Experts including Sanjay Vashist (CANSA), and Janet Milongo (CAN-International) called for renewable energy adoption, export-led growth, and initiatives to ensure sustainability, resilience, and economic competitiveness. For more details, click here
At the Side Event on ‘Financing Loss and Damage and Way Forward for Grassroots Action’, detailed insights on community actions and potential strategies to address loss and damage in vulnerable countries were shared in two segments: strategic and technical.
The event was organised by Gana Unnayan Kendra (GUK), Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), and Local Environment Development and Agricultural Research Society (LEDARS), and supported by ActionAid, BRAC, CANSA, Christian Aid, Climate Watch Thailand, Oxfam Australia and Manila Observatory. For more details, click here.
To achieve climate goals, Climate Finance emerges as a vital component, and the side event aimed to address the gap between visionary solutions and the necessary funding required. It showcased innovations needing financing for research, implementation, and policy impact, linked to SDGs 13, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 1. Find more details here
World Bank research (2021) shows climate change has reduced vulnerable nations’ GDP by 20% since 2000. By 2030, it could force 132 million into poverty, mainly in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. A just energy transition requires decarbonization, equitable funding, and support for affected communities. A green economy could create 24 million jobs by 2030 (ILO), but gender and intersectional equity are essential; for this women’s disproportionate vulnerability to climate disasters needs to be addressed. The event brought global leaders and grassroots voices to promote inclusive pathways and ensure marginalized groups benefit equitably.
The event was organized by Oxfam in Bangladesh, and Manusher Jonno Foundation. For details, click here
The event ‘Empowering Climate Vulnerable People, focussed on indigenous knowledge and innovation, with examples of locally led adaptation and resilience with respect to water, food, agriculture, capacity building and co-creating knowledge, as well as loss and damage.
The event was organised by BARCIK, Christian Aid, Pathfinder, EnGIO, LEDARS, and CANSA. For details, click here
Climate change poses significant risks to vulnerable countries. The side event, organised by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), Environmental Research and Development Alternatives (ERDA), and UCC WHALE Center, shared best practices on adaptation actions and nature-based solutions, sustainable agriculture, reducing waste and consumption, capacity building, and community engagement. However, it was clear that adequate financing is crucial for the implementation of these actions. For details, click here
The side event organised by Centre for Policy Research and Development (CPRD Bangladesh), EFICOR, Shariatpur Development Society (SDS Bangladesh) and Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA), focussed on the lived experiences of vulnerable communities across Kerala (India), Bangladesh, and Nepal, as they grapple with escalating climate impacts. Rising sea levels submerging livelihoods in Bangladesh, Kerala’s recurring floods forcing adaptation through community-driven recovery models, and Nepal’s mountain communities battling glacial melt and erratic monsoons, highlighted the urgency of financing for loss and damage while scaling up adaptation measures, and the need for equitable and inclusive climate action to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and cultural heritage in South Asia. For details, click here
Youth advocacy to action is important to achieve climate inclusive and nature positive development of cities in South Asia. The event, organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Vasudha Foundation, Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), and Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA), shared best practices and avenues to influence policy allowing integration of urbanization in NDCs. For details, click here
Unsustainable consumption and production patterns lie at the core of the triple planetary crisis encompassing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The event, organised by Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA), Clean Energy Nepal (CEN), Switch Asia, Thanal Trust and SWITCH-Asia, established the link between climate change and material consumption. For details, click here
This event explored the critical role of businesses in achieving net-zero transitions while ensuring equity and inclusivity, with a focus on emerging and developing economies, particularly South Asia. Highlighting innovative practices, it addressed challenges and opportunities in aligning corporate strategies with a “just” transition. Experts and leaders shared insights on decarbonization, fair labour practices, and inclusive growth, emphasizing business-driven solutions to advance climate resilience and equitable development in vulnerable regions. For details, click here
The Roundtable on Climate Diplomacy at the Pakistan Pavilion focused on “Smog: An Expanding Regional Disaster.” Esteemed speakers included Hon. Romina Khurshid Alam, Climate Aide to Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Sanjay Vashist, Director, CANSA, Md. Shamsuddoha, Director, CPRD, Bangladesh, Dr Abid Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI, and Prabin Man Singh, Programme Director, Prakriti Resources Center, Nepal. Discussions highlighted cross-border impacts of smog on health, economy, and agriculture, urging collaborative regional action. The session underscored the importance of regional climate diplomacy to combat smog and foster sustainable development across South Asia. For details, click here.
Climate change is one of the major causes of displacement. Experts predict that escalating global warming will trigger a larger exodus. The scenario is even more dire, with policy responses being alarmingly inadequate. This event discussed the consequences and recommended policy directives. For details, click here.
For details, click here
It’s a joke: too low, too long – CAN response to latest climate finance goal text
22 November 2024
COP29: Climate Action Network Media Reaction to Latest text for the Climate Finance Goal
21 November 2024
Climate Action Network calls on Ministers to ensure COP29 delivers ambitious climate finance goal
8 October 2024
CANSA’s short film “Floods and the Cities: Confronting the Water Crisis in South Asia” (YouTube.com) explores the impact of the climate crisis on South Asia’s urban centres. Watch “Floods and the Cities” to understand the water crisis threatening South Asia’s cities and what it means for their future; to discover the resilience of urban communities amidst unprecedented flooding and water scarcity; learn about community-driven solutions and the urgent need for dedicated climate finance to help cities adapt.
CANSA’s film “Breathless: South Asia’s Fight Against Air Pollution” (Youtube.com) which is a pressing issue affecting millions of lives across South Asia. 29 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world are in South Asia. This pollution is claiming millions of lives. The film aims to highlight the severe air pollution crisis in South Asia, its health impacts, and the urgent need for a transition from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives.
https://economynext.com/brand_voice/sri-lankas-net-zero-transition-policy-technology-finance-and-equity/
www.economynext.com | 5 December 2024
Int’l community apprised of city climate action plan
www.thestatesman.com | 26 November 2024
India fires warning shot with rejection of finance deal at COP29
www.climatechangenews.com | 25 November 2024
COP29 | No deal would have been better than the bad deal in Baku
www.deccanherald.com | 25 November 2024
$300bn for climate finance falls short of expectations
www.dawn.com | 25 November 2024
COP29: India rejects new USD 300 bn climate finance deal as inequitable
www.nationalheraldindia.com | 24 November 2024
COP29 U.N. Summit: Civil society protests against climate finance proposal, calls for ‘no deal’ over ‘bad deal’
www.thehindu.com | 23 November 2024
COP29: Climate-induced migration in the spotlight
www.voanews.com | 22 November 2024
CSOs demand clear NCQG framework based on equity and justice
thefinancialexpress.com.bd | 22 November 2024
Developed countries must declare $1.3 trillion climate financing under NCQG, demands CSOs
www.tbsnews.net | 22 November 2024
‘Good, Bad, Ugly’ climate draft
epaper.telegraphindia.com | 22 November 2024
COP29: Climate talks face tough negotiations over finance goal, new text offers no progress
timesofindia.indiatimes.com | 21 November 2024
Opportunities amid slow global climate action: Experts highlight pathways for vulnerable countries
www.app.com.pk | 21 November 2024
COP29 Diary (November 19, 2024): New text on NCQG could have structured options
www.downtoearth.org.in | 20 November 2024
Climate pact funds pledge set to miss deadline
epaper.telegraphindia.com/ | 20 November 2024
Pakistan possess huge opportunity to decarbonize, reduce emissions through Just Energy Transition: Experts
www.app.com.pk | 18 November 2024
Adaptation Fund has received hardly one-sixth of COP29 target so far, Glasgow Climate Pact goal year likely to be pushed back: Mikko Ollikainen
www.downtoearth.org.in | 16 November 2024
India ,Pak agree on climate costs
epaper.telegraphindia.com | 14 November 2024
Lok Sabha Estimates Committee Chairperson Sanjay Jaiswal participates in COP29 at Baku
www.bignewsnetwork.com | 13 November 2024
Taliban appeals for support to address climate change amid COP29 debut
www.newarab.com | 12 November 2024
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