The United Nations’ climate negotiations, long regarded as the cornerstone of global efforts to combat climate change, are under growing scrutiny. Key experts, including former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres, and former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, have penned a letter urging the UN to urgently reform the COP (Conference of the Parties) process, warning that it is no longer fit for purpose in addressing the rapidly escalating climate crisis.
The letter reflects a rising sense of frustration among climate leaders who believe that the COP negotiations, despite their significant achievements, are increasingly unable to keep pace with the fast-moving nature of climate change. The authors acknowledge that the COP process has facilitated substantial progress over the past three decades, most notably the 2015 Paris Agreement, which set a long-term goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C and aiming for 1.5°C. However, with rising emissions and climate impacts that often outpace the ability of countries to adapt, experts argue that COP is not moving fast enough to achieve its ambitious goals.
At the heart of the criticism is the slow pace of the COP negotiations, which require unanimous agreement from nearly 200 countries. The signatories of the letter, including leading climate scientists like Johan Rockström, argue that this consensus-based process is ill-suited to the urgency of the climate crisis. “Its current structure simply cannot deliver the change at exponential speed and scale, which is essential to ensure a safe climate landing for humanity,” the experts state. They emphasize that climate action must transition into “action mode,” where decisions are made quickly and decisively.
One of the major concerns driving the call for reform is the growing influence of fossil fuel interests in the COP process. In recent years, countries that are major oil and gas producers, such as Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates, have hosted the COP meetings. These nations have significant vested interests in the continued use of fossil fuels, which are the primary drivers of global warming. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev’s comments at COP29, where he called natural gas a “gift from God,” have drawn sharp criticism, with climate experts noting the inherent conflict between hosting a climate conference and promoting fossil fuel development.
A secret recording surfaced just before the latest conference in Baku revealed that senior officials in Azerbaijan were discussing potential fossil fuel deals during COP29, further raising concerns about the integrity of the process. The country’s plans to expand natural gas production by a third in the next decade stand in stark contrast to the goals of the Paris Agreement, which calls for the phasing out of fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The experts behind the letter also highlight the disproportionate influence of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP conferences. At COP28 in Dubai, the number of fossil fuel representatives reportedly outnumbered those from scientific institutions, Indigenous communities, and vulnerable nations. Figueres, a former UN climate chief, called for greater representation of those most affected by climate change, noting that a just transition cannot be achieved without their voices at the table.
The authors of the letter suggest that the selection process for hosting COP meetings needs to be overhauled. Host countries, they argue, should demonstrate a commitment to the goals of the Paris Agreement, especially when it comes to phasing out fossil fuels and accelerating the transition to renewable energy. They also call for more frequent, smaller COP meetings that are focused on accountability, ensuring that countries follow through on the promises they make.
While the COP process has undeniably led to important milestones, such as the Paris Agreement, climate experts are increasingly concerned that it is losing its relevance in the face of an ever-worsening climate emergency. The call for reform is a reminder that the fight against climate change requires not just rhetoric but rapid and decisive action. The experts argue that the UN must act swiftly to overhaul the COP process to make it fit for purpose in tackling the climate crisis at the speed and scale required.
