Parliament, Friday, 22 November 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation has noted with appreciation the progress being achieved in the debates during the proceedings at the COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijani.
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, said the conference of parties is happening in the context of the overwhelming win of United States’ President-Elect Donald Trump.
He said: “The election of President-Elect Trump poses an interesting dilemma for climate change science and future negotiations. But as the committee we are excited that there seems to be interesting debates happening, especially with regards to financing options and climate resilient programmes.”
COP29 started last week in the oil-rich nation of Azerbaijani and has debated climate resilient programmes, sustainability and energy goals. On the second last day of the conference, reports indicated that all countries had rejected the climate finance draft.
Mr Mahumapelo said developed nations needed to own up to the impact their advanced industries had on causing temperatures to rise by putting undesirable gases, like carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere.
“We all want to live in a cleaner world but reality now needs to set in with the West. Someone must take full accountability for over-reliance of their industries on fossil fuels and other undesirable gases into the atmosphere. While they talk of cutting additions of carbon from the atmosphere their actions do not align with their words,” added Mr Mahumapelo.
Mr Mahumapelo said the conference of parties is about to finish tomorrow without any significant incidents but rigorous debates. “We would like to remind all parties at COP29 that serious commitment is needed if the world is to keep temperatures rises below 1.5 degrees by 2050. For so long as they refuse to commit financial resources, it would be more impossible for small players like South Africa not to use their coal reserves for energy.”
Friday is the last day for COP29, and the Presidency for COP30 will be handed to Belém, Brazil.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION, MR SUPRA MAHUMAPELO.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Mr Sibongile Maputi
Cell: 081 052 6060
Email: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
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