Lund University alumni headed to the COP29 negotiations in Azerbaijan with differing titles, goals and aims. After the negotiations, Christofer Ahlgren, Kajsa Nåtby and Yuichi Tsuchibuchi met for a reflective seminar, organised by Lund University,
“I really believe that the transition to renewable and clean energy is happening. Perhaps not as fast as it should be, but it is nonetheless something we are seeing all over the world. Change takes time and this needs to be done fairly,” says Christofer Ahlgren, Policy Officer for Climate Finance at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Climate Action.
Christofer Ahlgren graduated with a degree in Environmental Science from Lund University in 2014. For several years, he has been working for the EU delegation in climate negotiations. Christofer Ahlgren emphasises that although international work is slow, it is moving in the right direction. At EU level, a wide range of climate measures are underway. The EU's growth strategy, known as the European Green Deal, is one such strategy, as well as Fit for 55, a set of legislative proposals aimed at reducing EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to levels reached in 1990. And things are heading in the right direction. EU greenhouse gas emissions fell by 8% in 2023.
Fellow Lund alumnus Yuichi Tsuchibuchi is now studying for a doctoral degree at the University of Tokyo and attended COP29 as a student representative. Yuichi Tsuchibuchi agrees with Christofer Ahlgren – he is pleased with COP29 but says that the slow pace of the transition is troubling.
“Japan was investing money in coal mines in Asia until just a few years ago. Not only that – around 70 per cent of energy consumption in Japan comes from fossil fuels. The transition to fossil-free is simply not happening as fast as it should be,” says Yuichi Tsuchibuchi.
“The agreement is important – especially in the current geopolitical situation”
A key issue at COP29 was financial support for developing countries' work on climate adaptation and transition to sustainable energy. Issues such as historical responsibility, global justice and who should pay took centre stage at the conference.
In the final agreement, it was decided that Parties to the Paris Agreement will provide at least USD 300 billion in climate finance to developing countries by 2035. This is an increase of USD 200 billion from the previous target. But despite the fact that the needs resulting from climate change will cost significantly more, Kajsa Nåtby, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former student at Lund University, is relatively satisfied with the result.
“The fact that we managed to reach an agreement despite the current geopolitical situation was important. You might say that everyone was equally unhappy with the decision, which is often a reasonable outcome of compromise and negotiation. Many argue that, while more money is needed for the climate transition, it is still a substantial increase in contributions and a realistic target. I think it is important to have targets that are achievable, so as not to undermine the credibility of the Paris Agreement and the climate negotiations,” says Kajsa Nåtby.
Patience is required
Christofer Ahlgren emphasises that it will take time to build the institutions for distributing the climate funds. First, for example more project managers and specialists in climate related questions are needed to secure that the money is placed and used as planned.
“The institutions that distribute money cannot simply multiply the payments immediately. Money does not spend itself. It will be a long time before funding can simply increase from USD 100 billion to USD 300 billion a year, which also creates interesting job opportunities for students,” says Christofer Ahlgren.
Yuichi Tsuchibuchi also underlines the importance of funding being awarded in the right form.
“For example, developing countries want more aid that is grant-based, not loans. Financing that is loan-based can ultimately become a financial burden,” says Yuichi Tsuchibuchi.
Lack of inclusivity in negotiations
Another widely discussed issue surrounding COP29 was whether the meeting adequately considered marginalised groups and Indigenous peoples, and if these groups received sufficient attention. Yuichi Tsuchibuchi noted that while they were welcome to organise seminars, events and debates, they were excluded from the actual decision making.
“Although the issues are visible outside the negotiation rooms, there is a lack of inclusion in the negotiations themselves,” says Yuichi Tsuchibuchi.
“To really take into account vulnerable and marginalised groups, the meeting should have resulted in stronger decisions on reducing emissions, to truly combat climate change. We did not get that this year. In addition, the negotiations that specifically focus on local communities and Indigenous peoples were already finalised in Bonn this summer, so I thought there was a little less focus on those issues at this COP compared to previous years,” says Kajsa Nåtby.
About the panel discussion:
After the conclusion of COP29, the alumni participated in a panel discussion on COP2029. Watch the event here