Baku Azerbaijan, 22 November 2024:
Quotes from cross-constituency international civil society on Just Transition Work Programme negotiations at COP29:
Anabella Rosemberg, Senior Advisor, Climate Action Network International:
“The COP29 Presidency is taking a dangerous approach of one-size-fits-all by bundling together climate goal negotiations with those related to Just Transition, which still requires technical discussions in these final hours to build consensus. This risks undermining the significant progress made over the past two years, leaving us with no concrete commitment to deliver by COP30 – a demand that civil society will not compromise on.”
Lidy Nacpil, Coordinator, Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development and Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice:
“Where’s the justice in the Just Transition Work Programme? Between the COP29 Presidency’s rigid approach to the negotiations and Global North governments seeking to delete the principle of equity and CBDR from any text while narrowing the language on rights, there was no justice in this process. Parties were simply not given the time or the space to negotiate a consensus, leaving the significant progress the JTWP has made for workers and communities in the last 2 years in jeopardy. We demand the Presidency take just transition seriously and allow proper technical discussions to proceed.”
Bert De Wel, Global Climate Policy Coordinator ITUC, TUNGO Focal point:
“Parties reading their wishlists during the last night of the conference, cannot be called negotiating. When even the ‘right to development’ gets denied, then there is no joint understanding of Just Transition, nor the will to make progress on its urgent implementation. All parties and especially the presidency are to blame for this. Billions of workers, their families and communities that are faced with the hardship of climate change risk to be left behind with no perspective coming out of Baku.”
Gina Cortés Valderrama, Co-Focal Point, Women and Gender Constituency:
“The absence of leadership from the COP29 Presidency in enabling meaningful negotiations on the Just Transition Work Programme is a profound failure to respond to the urgent calls from people around the world. Feminists demand immediate action to agree on an ambitious decision text that prioritizes workers, communities, and a fair transition. The delays we witness at COP29 are not just procedural—they undermine equity and the transformative change needed. The world cannot afford such indifference; it’s time to prioritize people and planet over extractive economies. It is time to deliver justice, it is time to deliver actionable commitments!”
Carmen Wabnitz, member of YOUNGO, Klimadelegation e.V.:
“We came here expecting a roadmap for operationalizing the Just Transition Work Programme – instead, we are facing the very real possibility of leaving empty-handed. The Presidency’s mismanagement of these negotiations is pushing us toward a no-deal scenario in Baku. While Parties showed willingness to converge on key elements, this opportunity is being squandered. Anything less than an actionable, people-centric and 1.5 aligned Just Transition Work Programme is a betrayal of workers, communities, young people and everyone on the frontlines of this transition.”
Other organizations:
Caroline Brouillette, Executive Director, Climate Action Network – Réseau action climat Canada:
“There is something deeply ironic about ramming text through and not giving parties enough time and space for discussion for an agenda item on the topic of Just Transition. The Presidency’s top-down approach could not be more at odds with what a just transition is actually about. There is still time for the Presidency to change course, so that we can build on the progress of the last two years and get on track to agree on an action plan together at COP30 in Brazil. The transition is happening, and workers, communities and Peoples will not wait for justice any longer.”
Joel Chester “Cheng” Pagulayan, Climate Justice Portfolio Manager, Oxfam Pilipinas:
“The COP29 Presidency is pushing a “take-it-or-leave-it” approach, ignoring the work and voices of the most affected communities and countries, especially in the Global South. A just transition means no one is left behind, and they are doing exactly the opposite. This is clearly not the way towards a greener and fairer world for all, it is a step backwards.”
Toni Dominique “Tonic” Madulid, Executive Director, Reboot Philippines Renewable Energy Transition Institute (RebootPH):
“Justice delayed is justice denied. The irony of underscoring a JUST Transition Work Programme yet, tackling it with a one-size fits-all approach that leaves out parties to further negotiate a consensus. This delays a concrete commitment from the COP 29 presidency – and denies the significant progress made by workers, communities, and civil society in ensuring a fair and just transition for all.”