MSC @ COP29

2024 is yet another year of record-high temperatures and devastating extreme weather events, taking a rising toll on people’s well-being and livelihoods, and exacerbating conflicts around the world. While COP28 marked an important step towards stronger action on climate adaptation and mitigation, the lackluster follow-up since then, including on climate finance, reflects the various international dividing lines that hamper joint efforts towards net zero and a just transition. Tensions between high- and low-income countries as well as large and small emitters persist, while geopolitical rifts are deepening and clean-tech industrial strategies risk complicating rather than facilitating a global green agenda as trade barriers are rising. Building on the MSC’s activities at previous COP summits, the MSC events at COP29 aim to explore best practice examples of effective international climate instruments and formats to inspire further action. The sessions will cover aspects ranging from crisis prevention and management to food security, energy and climate partnerships, and climate finance.

Under the headline “Code Green: Stepping Up Joint Climate Action,” the MSC’s events at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan aim to advance the discussion on what is needed to drive international climate cooperation amidst intensifying geopolitical tensions. By bringing together key stakeholders from a wide range of sectors, the MSC creates a space for meaningful debates on the intersection of climate, foreign, and security policy that reach beyond sectoral boundaries.

"Planetary Wealth: An Economic Case for Food Security"

Breakfast Discussion

The way food systems currently function is inherently unsustainable and fuels climate change, environmental degradation, diseases, and persistent hunger. In this closed-door high-level breakfast discussion, members of the MSC Food Security Task Force will come together with other stakeholders from various sectors for an interactive debate on the economic benefits of building climate-resilient, sustainable food systems. Part of the discussion will be how to formulate a convincing economic argument for investing in a food systems transformation that would further both climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.

"Into the Flow: Boosting Climate Finance"

Lunch Discussion (in cooperation with EY & Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research)

Along with the impact of Russia's war against Ukraine, economic shocks, and conflict, climate change remains the fundamental driver of global food insecurity around. This high-level discussion brought together a diverse set of stakeholders to develop strategies on reducing food supply dependencies from external actors, strengthen climate resilience of local and regional food systems, and enable sustainable long-term food production.

"Green Is in the Air: Promoting International Climate Partnerships"

Climate Security Reflection Dinner at COP29
 

Over the past years, bi- and multilateral climate and energy partnerships such as Just Energy Transition Partnerships have become a central element of international climate cooperation and diplomacy. This high-level dinner brings together participants from various sectors, including politics, international institutions, business, and civil society, to discuss what is needed to make these partnerships a success and translate ambition into practice, including with regard to facilitating investments in climate protection and the green transition.

Within the framework of its Sustainability Program, the MSC regularly hosts high-level events to advance the debate at the intersections of governance, the environment, security, and prosperity. This entails addressing the multiple security dimensions of climate change and a rapidly transforming geopolitical order.