COP29 Key Outcomes: Interviews with Environment Analyst

Following the Inogen Alliance presence at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan representing seven Associates and countries, three of our experts were interviewed by Environment Analyst. Check out a few excerpts below or read the full article on EA here. And don't miss our podcast episode on COP29 key takeaways available 17 December!

Heated final negotiations at COP29 in Baku have culminated in rich countries committing $300bn/year by 2035 for the developing world to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

The new collective quantified goal (NCQG) falls short of what experts, and many of the countries that will receive it, hoped but was salvaged as talks threatened to break down. This has prompted criticism, frustration and some optimism.

Dr Amr Abdel-Aziz, CEO of Integral Consult, part of the Inogen Alliance, tells Environment Analyst: "We were hoping for a more meaningful quantum from developed to developing countries, which would allow them to implement their current and future NDCs." A contributor to COP negotiations for over a decade and the senior adviser to COP27’s presidency, he added: "When accounting for inflation and for the contributions to be voluntarily provided by developed countries, the sum committed from developed countries in the NCQG does not represent a progression when compared to the $100bn goal."

Hilton Lucio, CEO of Antea Brasil, another member of Inogen Alliance, tells Environment Analyst the outcome on climate finance should "not be underestimated, despite some frustration with the NCQG’s final numbers." He adds it will allow "more in depth and structured discussions" at COP30 in Brazil. 

Róbert Szucs-Winkler, CEO of denxpert, also an Inogen Alliance member, highlights the intricacy involved in reaching multinational agreements, telling Environment Analyst: "The negotiation process, often involving hours of discussion over minor wording, highlighted the complexity of international collaboration." 

The determination at the conference offers hope, "but the mixed emotions over the outcome highlight the enormous challenges still ahead", Mr Szucs-Winkler says.

Going Forward / The Role of Consultants

Consultants will be called on to help clients access funds from the NCQG, develop projects that meet public funding criteria and investor expectations, create collaborations between government and business, and train local stakeholders so they are ready for the transition, Mr Szucs-Winkler tells Environment Analyst.

Dr Abdel-Aziz adds that consultants will be involved in "monitoring, reporting and verification of projects under implementation" as leaders and activists alike call for more climate finance transparency, as well as a bigger pot. 

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