Once a Champion, always a Champion: A thank you from Razan Al Mubarak
High-Level Climate Champions
H.E. Ms. Razan Al Mubarak and Ms. Nigar Arpadarai are the High-Level Climate Champions for #COP28 and #COP29.
“As I prepare to pass on the baton, I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to the global community of committed, passionate, and steadfast individuals l have had the privilege of working alongside during this incredible two-year journey as UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP 28.
Together, with my friends and colleagues in the Marrakech Partnership, we have pushed boundaries, raised climate ambition, and amplified essential voices from across our communities inside and outside the COP process.
As President of the IUCN, I will ensure nature continues to hold its rightful position as our most powerful ally in climate action and that its greatest stewards - Indigenous Peoples - are duly respected and acknowledged for their critical work. Together, we have started the vital work of linking impactful climate action with ecosystem restoration, knowing that a future worth fighting for relies on a healthy natural world.
I extend my gratitude to my sister Nigar Arpadarai, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP 29, for her partnership over the past 12 months. I applaud Nigar and the next High-Level Champion for Brazil for building on the powerful collective legacy of the High-Level Champions in securing a world where every community and every ecosystem can thrive.”
Reflections from COP 29: Nigar Arpadarai
“As 2024 draws to a close, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to the myriad of partners, networks, organisations and individuals across the globe, working tirelessly to safeguard a healthier, fairer and safer future for our children, families, communities and countries.
At the end of the day, that is what ambitious climate action is all about.
At COP 29, I was humbled to meet with many people from businesses, cities, states, regions, Indigenous peoples and youth groups—applying their skills and ambition to every aspect of the challenge.
In the year ahead I will continue championing the work of Impact Makers - pioneering individuals who remind us that transformative change doesn’t come from technology or policy alone – it comes from communities daring to innovate and act.
They are a call to action for all of us, urging us to move beyond words and deliver tangible results.
This same spirit of action extends to our work with small and medium enterprises, which form the backbone of global economies and are essential to building a resilient future.
Through the Climate Proofing SMEs campaign, I will continue to advocate for the tools, resources, and networks they need to adapt and thrive.
It is no small achievement that this campaign has now engaged 40 collaborators and reached 90 million SMEs. But it’s clear that this is just the beginning.
The work we’ve done so far must now be built upon, with greater scale and urgency.
And with this in mind, I thank my sister in this mission, Razan Al Mubarak for her unwavering leadership, vision, and dedication. I look forward to ensuring her impactful legacy as UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP 28 continues through to COP 30 and beyond.”
COP 29 makes progress toward increased climate finance
COP 29 convened businesses, private finance, subnational actors and civil society from around the world, reaffirming the collective effort to combat climate change. Strides were also made in climate finance, the operationalization of carbon markets under the Paris Agreement, the mitigation ambition and implementation work programme, the global goal on adaptation and National Adaptation Plans, transparency and gender.
A landmark decision for non-State actors at COP 29 was the extension of the Climate High-Level Champions’ mandate until 2030, clearly signalling Parties’ recognition of the vital role of stakeholders across the ‘real economy’ and all areas of society in achieving the Paris Agreement goals across finance, adaptation and mitigation.
Focus on finance
With finance a key focus, Parties and non-Party stakeholders emphasised the importance of public and private finance in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, especially for developing countries. Solutions highlighted by private finance attendees within the two-week Global Climate Action Agenda programme included:
A groundswell of real economy action
Key signals of progress underway have been recorded in the Summary of Global Climate Action at COP 29. Announcements ranged from the launch of the Resilience4Ports Call to Action, to the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA)’s commitment to invest USD 117bn annually in renewables and grids, to the number of financial institutions convened by Race to Zero partners reaching 650.
The Global Climate Action Agenda in review
Thousands of participants attended the eight-day Marrakech Partnership and High-Level Champions’ programme, with events and interactive innovation labs showcasing progress and emphasising the importance of an ambitious, fair, climate finance deal to catalyse climate investment, and ambitious investable climate and adaptation plans from all countries. Highlights are available in the High-Level Champions’ daily recaps, including progress and action on nature, inclusion, SMEs, Finance, adaptation, insurance, and just transition away from fossil fuels.
The 2030 Climate Solutions — recently updated through the lens of regional perspectives — provides a clear framework for effective cooperation and progress, including on finance, as well as gaps that should be bridged to halve global emissions, and adaptation gaps that should be closed to increase the resilience of four billion people - from vulnerable groups and communities - to climate risks, by 2030.
NDC countdown to February 2025
National climate plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), represent a pivotal opportunity for countries to outline ambitious, investable strategies that benefit nature and people. With all countries required under the Paris Agreement to publish new or revised NDCs by February 2025, there is a critical opportunity to enhance nations’ level of ambition, by laying out ambitious, investable, nature and people-positive plans to reduce emissions, adapt to the impact of climate change and drive sustainable development.
For example, the UAE’s NDC announced at COP, set a high bar for buildings, committing the sector’s emissions to fall by 79% by 2035 from 2019 levels - through actions such as revised building codes, building energy labels, and increasing retrofitting. The NDC drew on the UAE Sustainability Built Environment Blueprint, introduced at COP 28 by major real estate firms and supported by the Emirates Green Building Council. The Blueprint shows the power of ‘radical collaboration’ between public and private sectors to drive sustainable development.
The High-Level Champions published an updated report showcasing the insights, solutions and support from the Marrakech Partnership and the wider network to assist national governments to drive an all-of-society approach in designing and implementing these national climate plans.
UNCCD COP 16: Non-State actors accelerate actions to promote healthy land and ecosystems, bridging links for climate, food systems and biodiversity
The link between land, food, and climate action were placed front and centre at the recent 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2 to 13 December.
The conference saw the launch of the Riyadh Action Agenda, the announcement of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, and USD 12 billion in pledges to address the global challenges of land degradation, desertification, and drought.
Representatives from across civil society and the global economy worked with countries to build new coalitions and initiatives to advance the collective goal of restoring 1.5 billion hectares by 2030, identified as a crucial step in the 2030 Climate Solutions to achieve land degradation neutrality.
The first-ever United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Financial Needs Assessment Report established that the world could save billions annually - and earn trillions more by restoring land back to health and building drought resilience.
Building on the momentum of the Food Systems Call to Action launched at UNFCCC COP 28, now endorsed by over 300 diverse actors, representatives of local communities, local governments, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, academia, the private sector, and financial institutions agreed to advance tangible solutions to conserve and restore land and achieve sustainable, equitable and resilient agri-food systems, maximizing the synergies between the three Rio Conventions.
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The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Financial Needs Assessment Report also established that the world could save billions annually - and earn trillions more by restoring land back to health and building drought resilience.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development announced that investments in regenerative agriculture by members of the Action Agenda on Regenerative Landscapes have now reached over USD 6 billion.
And the launch of the Business 4 Land Initiative culminated in a Call to Action signed by hundreds of cross - sector representatives including finance, fashion, agri-food and pharmaceuticals, to mobilize finance and seize opportunities tied to land degradation and drought.
To improve drought resilience, the International Drought Resilience Observatory, and the World Drought Atlas were launched, reinforcing how data is key to preventing risks and driving solutions.
Leveraging existing structures, governance, and funding models, the Harmonisation Initiative was launched by multiple non-State actors, convening projects at different phases to ensure equal benefits for communities, while encouraging greater investment into programmes and reducing risk to investors and funders. A secretariat for the newly launched initiative will commence in early 2025.
Local solutions
Local governments united in a Call for Engagement, reinforcing their unique proximity with local communities to address desertification, land degradation, and drought. The Primer on Urban-Rural Linkages and Land described how non-State actors and governments at different levels can support land degradation neutrality to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Indigenous Peoples Forum called for the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge systems and positive contributions to land restoration, stewardship, and traditional livelihoods.
Such announcements and commitments made at UNCCD COP 16 are vital to mitigating climate change, supporting adaptation to climate impacts, restoring nature, and halting biodiversity loss. Actors from across the global economy and civil society demonstrated that delivering on food systems, land, and finance solutions is critical to reduce emissions, increase resilience, improve and restore biodiversity, and drive sustainable development on the path to COP 30 in Belém, Brazil.
Transforming Food Systems: Building Momentum from COP 29 to COP 30
Gonzalo Muñoz Abogabir is the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion from the COP 25 Presidency, appointed by the Chilean Presidency in 2019. From that position, he co-founded the Race To Zero, Race To Resilience and Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero GFANZ campaigns and remains a Global Ambassador for Race to Zero and Race to Resilience.
Previously, Gonzalo co-founded and led TriCiclos, a leading Latin American circular economy and recycling company. Gonzalo also co-founded Sistema B (B Corp in Latin America), Manuia and Polkura Winery. He is also a member of the Club of Rome.
Currently, Gonzalo sits on the board of the Global Foodbanking Network, CDP Latin America, TED Future Forum, Chapter Zero Chile, among others. Gonzalo has been the recipient of the Chilean national awards on environment, innovation and social entrepreneurship; and he was awarded the honor of CMG in Queen Elizabeth’s final honors list in 2022.
Gonzalo shared insights on the current progress of the food systems transformation - from key takeaways from COP 29, the road to COP 30 in Brazil - to the potential of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP - to drive action on land restoration and drought resilience.
What progress was made on food systems transformation at COP 29?
“COP 29 in Baku confirmed the critical role of the food systems transformation, with over 300 food system actors, including farmers, Indigenous Peoples, businesses, financial institutions and civil society, endorsing the Food Systems Call to Action, since its launch at COP 28.
Food systems are remarkable, providing food for our global population and livelihoods for over four billion people. They form the backbone of communities worldwide. However, hundreds of millions are hungry, and over three billion cannot afford healthy diets. Generating a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, food systems are also vulnerable to climate impacts, undermining food security and adaptation - as well as driving biodiversity loss and consuming 70% of global freshwater.
To transform our food systems a powerful movement of key global players is building - and action is underway - from smallholder farmers and Indigenous Peoples and local communities to major corporations and financial institutions to NGOs and food banks.
In Latin America, for example, the Innovative Finance for the Amazon, Cerrado, and Chaco (IFACC) initiative, launched in 2021, is on track to mobilize USD 10 billion in disbursements by 2030 for deforestation-free soy and beef production in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. So far, IFACC has protected over 135,000 hectares of ecosystems, and restored over 700 hectares, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and nature-positive economies.
Clearly, this type of action at the non-State level is boosting confidence and ambition at the national government level. For example, Brazil’s climate plan (i.e. NDC), announced at COP 29, outlines the country’s intent to encourage and incentivise more ‘sustainable’ agriculture as part of its emissions-cutting efforts.
Other Heads of State are also now considering what their countries can achieve if they properly consider food systems and agriculture within their climate mitigation strategies. For example, the COP 28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action, was endorsed by leaders of 160 countries since Dubai last year. Hopefully, next year we will see many more countries integrating food systems and agriculture into their climate and nature strategies, helping to land this topic into the centre of the strategy and the priorities of COP 30.”
What other food-related initiatives stood out at COP 29?
“Significantly, more than 30 countries, including Brazil and Mexico, signed up to the Reducing Methane from Organic Waste Declaration, a new pledge focused on setting sectoral targets in future NDCs to cut methane emissions from waste. The food sector produces over a third of global methane emissions, so key actors like food banks, along with cities and local governments, have a key role to play in treating organic waste to prevent the release of this dangerous greenhouse gas.
Globally, around one third of total food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted, costing nearly one trillion USD annually, and producing 8–10% of greenhouse gases. So, tackling food waste and loss is a win-win-win scenario for producers, municipalities and consumers alike.
There are many examples of climate action supporting healthier, resilient, equitable communities - and in turn, non-State actors tangibly contributing to countries’ food and agriculture metrics. As countries publish their NDCs before the end of February, I would also expect approaches to reducing and better managing organic waste to be integrated into those climate plans.
From COP 29 to COP 30, the momentum behind food systems transformation continues to grow. To accelerate meaningful progress, we must shift and scale financing for resilient and sustainable food systems, enhance global accountability frameworks - and overall, ensure that the expertise of farmers, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities lies at the centre of the transformation.”
Race to Zero Update
Race to Zero has achieved growth of 16% in the last year reaching over 15,500 members by COP 29 in November. The Campaigns members come from over 150 countries, and comprise over:
Net zero leaders: Decarbonization requires courage and collaboration – Beatriz Arribas on transforming Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Beatriz Arribas, Sustainability Senior Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, shares her career journey where she's seen sustainability move from the periphery to the core of business strategy.
“I have been working in Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability for over 15 years. I began my career in this field when it was considered a “nice-to-have” part of the business, mainly focused on philanthropy. Over the years, I have witnessed an incredible transformation, where sustainability has moved from the periphery to the core of business strategy. Today, it affects the entire company structure and requires a complete overhaul of traditional processes. Since 2018, I have managed Coca-Cola Europacific Partners’ (CCEP) sustainability strategy in Spain and Portugal, including overseeing projects aligned with our goal of reaching net zero by 2040.
One of our key projects is MARES Circulares, which focuses on marine conservation and waste reduction by collecting and recycling marine litter. Another major initiative is Hostelería #PorElClima, which supports the hospitality sector (HORECA) in its transition to more sustainable and low-carbon practices. Additionally, our water replenishment projects aim to restore natural water resources, and social programs like GIRA Jóvenes y Mujeres empower young people and women through training and career opportunities.
Our sustainability efforts have yielded measurable results. Since 2017, the #PorElClima Hospitality Community has helped guide the hospitality sector in its green transition. At CCEP Spain, we have achieved a 25.7% reduction in our carbon footprint compared to 2019, thanks to targeted initiatives across our operations. A primary focus has been reducing Scope 3 emissions, which account for more than 92% of our total carbon footprint, through collaborative projects with suppliers to cut their emissions.”
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1wMany thanks for all your support, Razan Al Mubarak!