COP29: Belgian PM calls on countries to leave no one behind on climate policy
In a speech at the UN climate summit COP29 in Azerbaijan on Tuesday, outgoing Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo called on participating countries to leave no one behind when it comes to climate policy.
"We must use everything we have. Not a policy of less, but a policy of more," De Croo said. "More growth, more cooperation, more innovation, more investment, but affordable and accessible for all. That is our political goal, to achieve a just transition."
This just transition must take place on two levels, he said. Internationally, there must be fair rules. Both Belgium and the EU must step up their efforts to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of their economies.
"That is our political goal, to achieve a just transition"
Nationally, De Croo wants to ensure that no one is left behind by creating high quality jobs, while climate measures must be affordable. "People will only buy electric cars and insulate their houses if it makes economic sense," he said.
The summit in Baku will focus on the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance. De Croo said it was important to put the needs of the least developed and most vulnerable countries first. He also made it clear that private money will be needed to provide the necessary resources.
Message of hope
Belgium released 247.9 million euros for climate finance in 2023, according to the NGO 11.11.11. This money, mostly in the form of grants, went mainly to the least developed countries. In addition, according to the office of Development minister Frank Vandenbroucke, 490 million euros in private funding was mobilised.
De Croo concluded with a message of hope. "A strong majority has chosen the path to net zero emissions," he said. While there is still much work to be done, he said humanity must "draw inspiration from what we have achieved so far" and not give in to despair.
The Belgian climate umbrella Klimaatcoalitie reacted positively to De Croo's speech. "The prime minister shows that he understands that solidarity with communities in the most vulnerable countries is the key solution," said president Benjamin Clarysse.
"A significant increase in public funding is essential to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius"
However, he also argued that Belgium should implement more ambitious climate policies with more concrete results. "A significant increase in public funding is essential to limit warming to 1.5° C and achieve real protection against climate impacts," he said.
© BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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