PML experts reflect on participation at COP29: Progress and Challenges for Ocean and Climate Action

Scientists and other experts from Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) played a key role in showcasing ocean and climate science at the recent United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change Conference of Parties (UNFCCC) COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan.   

In addition to co-organizing the COP29 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, PML experts continued to share, as they have done since 2009, the latest science relating to the ocean and cryosphere with government officials and wider delegates on the ground. They also contributed to important discussions on a wide range of issues including capacity sharing, finance, policy and governance. 

COP29 brought together nearly 200 countries and reached agreement to:  

• Triple finance to developing countries, from the previous goal of USD 100 billion annually, to USD 300 billion annually by 2035.  

• Secure efforts of all actors to work together to scale up finance to developing countries, from public and private sources, to the amount of USD 1.3 trillion per year by 2035.  

COP29 also reached agreement on carbon markets – which several previous COPs had not been able to achieve. These agreements are intended to help countries deliver their climate plans more quickly and cheaply and make faster progress in halving global emissions this decade, as required by science.  

While many commentators have expressed profound disappointment about the commitments made, highlighting the shortfall in investment required to meaningfully address climate change, the Conference continues to be regarded as the primary global mechanism for international climate dialogue and collective action.  

In addition to leading or partnering  in 14 events plus taking part in roundtables, coordinating an exhibition stand bringing together partners from across the globe, contributing to publications, PML had several other key areas of involvement:  

• Co-organizing the COP29 Virtual Ocean Pavilion which saw registrations from 126 countries. Now in its fourth year, the Pavilion is co-organised by PML with the Global Ocean Forum to democratise access to the ocean at the COPs.  

• PML’s events and exhibit saw engagement with government officials, such as from Brazil, who will host the next COP, and ministers from Fiji and St Helena and the UK  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, senior representatives such as from the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) plus many delegates from various countries (including Yemen, Maldives, Zambia, Australia, USA  and Tanzania) as well as sectors such as finance, shipping and renewable energy.   

• Contributing to the newly published State of the Cryosphere Report 2024, which stated that the world’s ice stores are at tipping point and warns of drastically higher costs without immediate emissions reductions. The publication was well received and widely shared including with ministers and lead negotiators as well as the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres. 

For an overview of PML’s activities and to view selected events on demand click here 

Prof. Helen Findlay, Scientific Reviewer with the State of the Cryosphere Report 2024 and Biological Oceanographer at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, commented:  

“The oceans connect the cryosphere dynamics; they connect the entire planet and we, humans, are influencing that system, our actions now will determine how the planet functions in the future. The unprecedented warming in the oceans over the past year is of real concern for contributing to sea ice loss – warmer oceans mean it take longer for sea ice to freeze up in the autumn – and glacial melt – we now know that Antarctic glaciers are at risk from warmer ocean waters melting them from underneath. Both of which in turn feedback to ocean circulation – fresher waters are driving a slow-down in the global circulation, which is important for locking away carbon from the surface ocean into the deep ocean (less circulation, less carbon stored), and that influences our climate”. 

Image above: PML’s Prof. Helen Findlay took part in sessions virtually, pictured in the bottom-left window of the display

PML and the wider ocean community’s great efforts saw a strong profile for the ocean at COP29 which included the joint statement released by the Friends of the Ocean and Climate, a network of like-minded Parties working to integrate the ocean-climate nexus into the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) processes and promote the inclusion of sustainable ocean-based climate solutions into countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Since its founding in 2019, the group has been effective in influencing UNFCCC discussions, championing the creation of the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue, and supporting negotiations related to the inclusion of the ocean in the Global Stocktake.  

Prof. Matt Frost, Head of PML’s International Office and Chair of the UK Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP, UKs primary marine climate advice body) and its Overseas Working Group said:

“Attending these COPs is essential in terms of ongoing efforts to promote mitigation efforts but also for continuing to promote the importance of the ocean in the climate discussions. At COP29 I represented PML in both chairing official events and in contributing to ocean-focused discussions on issues ranging from adaptation, finance, policy, equitability and scientific tools and solutions. What goes on ‘around the edges’ at the COP meetings is also important and meetings and discussions with high-level delegates and negotiators from across the globe also forms a key part of PMLs presence at COP.” 

Image above: Prof. Matt Frost speaking at COP29

Thecla Keizer, Deputy Head International Office and PML Designated Contact Point with the UNFCCC said:

“Such an honour to have been able to raise the visibility of the ocean at COPs since 2009 and coordinate on our activities there, working with the ocean & cryosphere experts in bringing evidence of the latest science to key stakeholders towards addressing the climate crisis.”   

Image above: PML’s Thecla Keizer pictured (second from left) alongside colleagues at COP29.

For an overview of PML’s activities and to view selected events on demand click here