Saad Abdulla Al-Hitmi, Director of the Climate Change Department at the Government of Qatar. Credit: Umar Manzoor Shah/IPS
BAKU, Nov 19 2024 (IPS) – As global leaders gather at COP29 to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change, Saad Abdulla Al-Hitmi, Director of the Climate Change Department at the Government of Qatar, highlighted the nation’s ambitious goals in an interview with IPS, stressing its commitment to balancing environmental stewardship with economic growth.
Qatar’s Vision for Climate Action
Qatar’s participation at COP29, Al-Hitmi says, aligns with its National Vision 2030 and the National Environment and Climate Change Strategy 2021.
“Our message is clear: we aim to contribute to meaningful changes that reduce the impact of climate change while preserving the environment and its resources,” Al-Hitmi stated. This, according to him, is Qatar’s commitment to sustainability, focusing on achieving its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) by 2030 to protect and enhance environmental quality.
Key among Qatar’s goals, he says, is a 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.
“We are implementing practical solutions and proven technological applications across all sectors to achieve this target,” Al-Hitmi said.
Adapting and Financing for the Future
According to Al-Hitmi, adaptation financing must complement mitigation efforts to ensure vulnerable countries can effectively address the impacts of climate change.
“We are working to balance adaptation and mitigation financing during climate negotiations,” he said. “Adaptation is vital for developing countries, and we are negotiating to secure gains that will fund critical adaptation projects.”
‘A Leading Voice in Climate Diplomacy’
Al-Hitmi said that by leveraging cutting-edge technology and championing equitable financing mechanisms, the nation seeks to inspire collective action on the global stage.
“Our participation at COP29 is about collaboration,” Al-Hitmi said. “It’s about ensuring that our shared planet is preserved for future generations.”
Dr. Amina Schartup, Marine Chemist, sharing insights on mercury pollution and its global impact at COP29, Ocean Pavilion, Baku, Azerbaijan. Credit: Aishwarya Bajpai/IPS
BAKU, Nov 19 2024 (IPS) – Mercury pollution from burning coal is contaminating our oceans and seafood, threatening global health.
Dr. Amina Schartup, a marine chemist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, has spent nearly 20 years studying the mercury cycle. Her research sheds light on how this heavy metal, released through industrial activities like coal burning, affects ecosystems and people worldwide.
“Mercury is released into the environment through various industries, with coal burning being a major source,” she explains. The problem goes beyond carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as mercury travels globally, settling in places as remote as the Arctic and high mountains.
When mercury reaches the oceans, it is transformed by microbes into methylmercury, a highly toxic form. “This form accumulates in seafood, especially in larger predatory fish like tuna and swordfish, which many humans consume,” Schartup says. This poses serious health risks, including developmental issues in children and cardiovascular problems in adults.
How Widespread Is Mercury Exposure?
Fish consumption is the primary way mercury enters the human body. According to Schartup, “If 3 billion people rely on seafood, then 3 billion people are exposed to mercury through fish.”
The health impacts, however, are complex.
“Fish consumption is generally healthy, supporting brain development, but consuming too much fish with high mercury levels can offset those benefits,” she notes. This makes balancing seafood consumption tricky, especially for communities heavily dependent on it.
Mercury exposure is a chronic issue, with small amounts accumulating in the body over time. The toxic effects, especially on fetal development, can result in reduced IQ and other developmental problems.
Mercury and Climate Change: A Dangerous Mix
Climate change intensifies mercury’s impact on oceans and seafood. Schartup explains, “The mercury cycle is connected to the environment, so any changes—like rising temperatures or melting sea ice—will affect it.”
For instance, warming oceans change the behavior of fish and microbes. “Warmer waters can cause fish to eat more, which increases their mercury levels,” she says. Melting sea ice, which acts as a cap on the ocean, alters mercury exchange between the air and water. Freshwater inputs from melting glaciers or rivers also bring more mercury into the oceans.
These factors combine to make mercury levels in seafood even more unpredictable, creating additional challenges for public health.
Global Pollution, Local Consequences
One of the most alarming aspects of mercury pollution is its global reach. Once released into the atmosphere, mercury can travel thousands of miles before settling. “It can deposit in pristine areas like the Arctic, far from the emission sources,” Schartup explains.
Microbial activity in different environments determines where mercury is transformed into its toxic form. “It happens everywhere,” she says, emphasizing that no region is immune to this problem.
What Needs to Change?
At COP29, Schartup is advocating for a broader understanding of how emissions impact the environment and human health. “Climate change isn’t just about CO2. Burning coal also releases mercury, which contaminates fish and affects the health of millions,” she says.
Reducing coal usage could address both carbon and mercury pollution.
“By solving the CO2 crisis, we can tackle mercury contamination as well. This isn’t just about climate; it’s about health too,” she stresses.
Schartup believes this issue should resonate with everyone, especially those who eat fish regularly. “Turning on the light switch is linked to mercury in the fish we eat. It’s all connected,” she explains.
Protecting Vulnerable Communities
Some populations are more affected than others, particularly those relying heavily on seafood. These communities face a double burden: the health risks from mercury and the challenges of adapting to climate change.
Schartup emphasizes the need for policies to protect these vulnerable groups. Reducing coal emissions and investing in cleaner energy sources could lessen mercury pollution and its far-reaching effects.
A Call to Action
Mercury pollution is a hidden crisis, but its effects on human health and the environment are profound. Schartup’s research underscores the urgency of addressing this issue as part of global climate action.
“We have a chance to solve multiple problems at once,” she says. Reducing coal emissions won’t just cut CO2; it will also protect our oceans, seafood, and health.
This interconnected approach, she believes, is key to creating a sustainable future for all.
Roland Kupers, a lead architect at the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) International Methane Emissions Observatory
BAKU, Nov 18 2024 (IPS) – Methane emissions have emerged as a focal point of discussion as global leaders congregate at COP29 in Baku to tackle the escalating climate crisis.
The Methane Problem: Sectoral Challenges and Opportunities
“Methane emissions are not a singular issue but rather a collection of problems spanning five key sectors: oil and gas, coal, waste, rice, and livestock,” Kupers said. He adds that each sector requires tailored solutions.
“UNEP has prioritized the oil and gas industry due to its substantial potential for reduction.”
“The oil and gas industry could achieve a 75 percent reduction in methane emissions by 2030. It’s not only affordable but also feasible, given the industry’s access to technology, capital, and expertise,” Kupers said, adding that the waste sector also presents significant opportunities, although organizing mitigation measures in this sector poses logistical challenges.
UNEP’s approach includes creating detailed programs to address emissions in high-impact industries like oil, gas, and steel.
“Methane emissions account for a third of the climate footprint of steel production, yet they can be eliminated at a cost of less than 1% of steel’s production price.”
Data: A Cornerstone for Action
Kupers also underlined the critical role of accurate data in driving methane mitigation efforts.
“Data is essential for human agency. Without precise, measurement-based data, it’s impossible to identify and address the specific sources of emissions effectively.”
According to him, many existing datasets rely on emission factors derived from outdated studies. UNEP advocates transitioning to real-time, site-specific measurements to better target interventions.
“When you gather accurate data, you often find emissions in unexpected places, stressing the need for precise monitoring.”
Systemic Shifts in the Energy Sector
To align with the 2030 climate goals, Kupers argues for a fundamental transformation of the global energy system.
“While mitigating methane emissions is crucial, it’s not a substitute for decarbonization. The ultimate objective must be to eliminate fossil fuels entirely.”
He also highlighted the health benefits of reducing methane emissions.
“Methane, both directly and through incomplete combustion, contributes to significant local health hazards.”
The Financial Perspective
While climate discussions often center around the financial challenges of adaptation and mitigation, Kupers believes that addressing methane emissions, particularly in the oil and gas sector, is not a financial burden.
“The oil and gas industry is highly profitable and well-resourced. It has no excuse for not addressing its methane emissions,” Kupers said, adding that even oil and gas operations in developing countries operate in highly sophisticated, well-funded environments.
Responsibilities of Developed Nations
The methane issue differs from broader climate equity debates, Kupers explained.
“For methane emissions in oil and gas, the responsibility to act is universal. Whether in Nigeria, Argentina, or Indonesia, the industry operates with the same high standards and capabilities as in developed countries.”
This universality makes methane mitigation a “climate good news story,” as it bypasses some of the equity challenges seen in broader decarbonization debates.
Barriers to Progress
Despite decades of climate discussions, significant hurdles remain in addressing global warming. He attributes the slow progress to a lack of prioritization and awareness about methane’s role.
“Methane has only recently gained prominence on the global agenda. The science highlighting its importance has emerged in the past decade,” Kupers said. Policymakers are often unaware of methane’s substantial climate footprint or the cost-effective solutions available.
Key COP-29 Objectives
“UNEP has established ambitious goals for methane mitigation. The Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP 2.0), a UNEP-led initiative, currently includes companies responsible for 42 percent of global oil and gas production. Kupers urged more companies to join, with the aim of achieving 80 percent participation,” Kupers said.
Another critical initiative is the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), which integrates data from a dozen satellites to identify significant emission sources. UNEP then notifies governments and companies of these emissions.
“Over the past year, we’ve sent 1,200 notifications to governments, but the response rate has been dismal—just 1 percent,” Kupers said, a disappointing lack of engagement that points to the need for stronger accountability measures at COP29.
The Stakes: Why Methane Matters
Human-induced methane emissions are responsible for a third of the current warming. Unlike CO2, which is often a byproduct of energy use, methane emissions are largely waste streams. This makes them easier to address and a critical opportunity for climate action.
“Methane mitigation is not just an environmental necessity but a low-hanging fruit. It’s a solvable problem, and we must seize this opportunity,” Kupers said.
Jagadish Vasudev, known widely as Sadhguru, at COP29. Credit: IPS
BAKU, Nov 16 2024 (IPS) – A sudden flurry of activity as Jagadish Vasudev, known widely as Sadhguru, emerges from an interview room in the COP29 media centre. It’s early days of the conference and there is energy and excitement at the venue in Baku.
With his long flowing beard and blue turban, it’s clear that many journalists are keen to interview the influential spiritual leader from India and the founder of the Isha Foundation, which has been dedicated to humanitarian projects since 1992. His initiative, Cauvery Calling, aims to support Indian farmers by encouraging the planting of 2.4 billion trees through agroforestry to restore the Cauvery River basin.
Now in Baku for COP29, Sadhguru shares his insights in an exclusive interview with IPS.
Inter Press Service: Sadhguru, climate change has been a known crisis for over four decades. Yet despite numerous conferences and terms like “loss and mitigation” and “climate finance,” we’re still facing rising temperatures, floods, and droughts. Why are we not succeeding? Are we missing the right approach?
Sadhguru: “Succeeding in what, exactly? The problem is that there’s no clear, actionable goal. We talk about economic development, which many nations pursue without pausing to consider its impact on the planet. At the same time, those who have already achieved a certain quality of life tell others not to follow the same path. It’s a paradox. We tell people to give up hydrocarbons—coal, oil—yet offer no viable alternatives. If we shut off hydrocarbons today, this very conference wouldn’t last ten minutes!
We’re all focused on what to give up but lack sustainable, scalable alternatives. Solar, wind, and similar sources only cover a tiny fraction of our energy needs—less than 3 percent. For real change, we need technology that provides clean, non-polluting energy, but we’re far from that. Nuclear energy is a powerful option, yet there’s too much activism and fear surrounding it. Meanwhile, electric cars, often touted as solutions, don’t really address ecological well-being; they just reduce urban air pollution.”
IPS: So, what would be a more pragmatic approach?
Sadhguru: It’s simple. We need to focus on soil restoration. Changing the soil composition can mitigate up to 37 percent of climate issues, according to studies. The emphasis has shifted a bit from ‘oil’ to ‘soil,’ and that’s a good sign. But beyond that, our entire mindset needs to shift from activism to pragmatic, science-based solutions. Over the past 70 years, we’ve lost 84 percent of wildlife, 92% of freshwater aquatic life, and 84 percent of insect life. The soil lacks organic content, and without it, trillions of microorganisms essential to life are perishing. Most scientists warn that if we continue at this pace, we may only have 40–50 harvests left—about 25–30 years of viable farming.
IPS: Climate change is often seen as a distant, scientific issue. Many people don’t connect with it. Why is that?
Sadhguru: An idea must have legs to walk. If it can’t, it won’t go anywhere. Rather than lofty ideals, we need simple, actionable goals. Soil is foundational to life: we eat from it, and when we die, we go back to it. Ninety-five percent of life forms depend on it, and over half the human population interacts with it daily. We must invest in soil regeneration, not just technologies to replace oil.”
IPS:How do we make this understandable for the common person?
Sadhguru: The common person doesn’t need to grasp all the details. It’s the responsibility of governments to act—to create laws and policies that enforce soil conservation. Blaming consumerism misses the point. People aspire to improve their lives, and those who criticize ‘consumerism’ often hold to a double standard. You can’t stop human aspirations. If anything, we need to reduce our population’s environmental impact over time, but even mentioning that sparks controversy. The truth is, over the past century, life expectancy has increased dramatically—from an average of 28 years in 1947 to over 70 years today. As people live longer, reproduction should be adjusted to balance the population. But people resist even these pragmatic realities.
IPS: You have been advocating for a long time to make living in a village a lucrative affair. How can we make village life sustainable and attractive?
Sadhguru: Yes, but it’s about making rural life viable, not romanticizing it. If the soil is rich, rural life can be economically rewarding. Today, people pay more for organic produce. Imagine if we branded food by the soil’s organic content—consumers would pay more for nutrient-dense produce, and this would incentivize soil conservation. Our agriculture needs to move beyond rice and wheat dependency, which was a temporary solution during the Green Revolution. Now we must transition from that ‘bridge’ to sustainable practices.
IPS:This needs government policies but there are few. Why don’t we see climate change as a political agenda?
Sadhguru: In a democracy, politicians focus on what their voters demand, which often isn’t long-term environmental policies. To enact meaningful change, citizens need to express this desire. For example, our Save Soil movement reached 3.91 billion people in a hundred days. This kind of widespread support influences policy. We’re already seeing action in countries like China, India, and parts of Europe, though it’s gradual. Unfortunately, sometimes governments wait for a disaster before they act. Then only I understand there is a flood. It entered your house somewhere. I think, after all, it’s in the flooding region, you know.
IPS: And you’ve also mentioned that thirty percent of the human diet should come from trees. Could you elaborate on that?
Sadhguru: In Kashmir, for example, over thirty percent of people’s diet used to come from trees. They eat a lot of local fruits. When Hyun Tsang visited India, he observed that the intellect of Indian people was sharper because of the high fruit intake. Today, unfortunately, most fruit is bought in supermarkets, often imported from far-off places. The local connection is being lost, and this has implications for health. Eating local fruit is more than just cultural. The microorganisms in our body and in the soil where we live are continuously in contact. This link between diet and our microbiome is often ignored, yet it affects us deeply. The biome in your body has “cousins” in the land where you live. In yoga, we advise eating foods from within a radius that you can walk in a day. This keeps your body strong and in sync with the environment.
IPS: One critical issue back in India is farmer suicide. What can be done to address this?
Sadhguru: They’re not dying out of choice but out of desperation. When they take loans and cannot repay, life becomes unbearable. Many have inherited farming skills but lack alternatives. If someone with an MBA or MSc in agriculture were given land, they would struggle to match the knowledge and skill of a farmer, yet society undervalues this knowledge. Due to small land holdings—less than a hectare on average—they can neither sustain their families nor avoid debt.
In the past, villagers worked together as a community. Today, small farmers fence their tiny plots and install their own bore wells. The costs are immense and lead to further debt. We need to restore community support, enlarge land holdings, or provide viable alternatives to prevent this tragic cycle.
IPS: And what about faith? Can it play a role in addressing the climate crisis?
Sadhguru: Let’s not focus on faith in the context of climate change. It’s our responsibility to act. When things go wrong due to human error, people often call it fate or God’s will. But this crisis is of our making. And the crisis we talk about isn’t the planet’s—it’s a crisis for human survival. Life on Earth relies on delicate interconnections, from insects to microbes. If these were wiped out, life on the planet would soon collapse. Ironically, if humans disappeared, the planet would thrive. This is the perspective we need: climate change threatens our existence, not the Earth’s.
Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR). Credit: CGIAR
BAKU, Nov 16 2024 (IPS) – As COP29 negotiations continue in Baku, agricultural leaders are pitching the need for climate-resilient and data-driven solutions to support marginalized farmers and low-income communities.
In an exclusive interview with Inter Press Service (IPS), Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR), discusses the impact of digital tools, precision agriculture, and low-emission food systems on achieving a sustainable and equitable food future.
Inter Press Service: How helpful are digital tools in supporting marginalized farmers?
Ismahane Elouafi: Digital tools offer immense potential, especially in bridging the knowledge gap between agricultural experts and rural farmers who often lack access to information. Over the past few decades, funding for traditional extension services has dwindled, so digital solutions in local languages can fill this void. Imagine a farmer receiving real-time advice on managing water, soil fertility, or disease in a language they understand—this could revolutionize small-scale farming. Additionally, precision agriculture, which tailors input needs to specific locations and soil compositions, allows for highly customized farming strategies that optimize both resources and yields.
IPS: Can you explain how precision agriculture works in practical terms?
Elouafi: Precision agriculture allows us to deliver exact inputs—water, nutrients, or fertilizers—needed for a specific plot. This approach minimizes waste and environmental impact, and it’s especially useful in regions where resources are scarce. For instance, if a plant needs 20 milliliters of water in one square meter but only 10 milliliters a few kilometers away, precision agriculture ensures we don’t overuse resources. Ultimately, the goal is to increase productivity sustainably, producing more output per hectare with fewer inputs, especially in a time where climate pressures demand we be mindful of environmental impacts.
IPS: How essential is biodiversity to resilient farming systems?
Elouafi: Resilience means that after a shock—a drought, flood, or even conflict—farmers can bounce back and continue production. CGIAR’s focus is to provide tools, technology, and genetic resources that make this possible. We’ve developed rice varieties that survive flooding and maize that tolerates drought, helping farmers maintain productivity despite climatic stressors. Another key factor is small-scale irrigation, which allows farmers to respond to drought by providing supplemental water, ensuring resilience and food security.
IPS: You mentioned low-emission food systems. How can agriculture contribute to climate goals?
Elouafi: Agriculture is responsible for about 33 percent of global greenhouse gases. By shifting to low-emission practices, we can greatly reduce methane and other emissions. For example, traditional rice paddies release large amounts of methane. However, alternative wetting and drying practices can cut methane emissions by 30 percent while boosting productivity by 33 percent. In livestock, using specific forages and studying animal gut microbiomes can reduce methane emissions by up to 60 percent. Agriculture is uniquely positioned to sequester carbon through practices like cover cropping and biodiversity, which is crucial in mitigating climate change.
IPS: Could internet and data use enhance climate security?
Elouafi: Absolutely. Digital access and internet coverage in rural areas can provide timely climate information, like rainfall predictions, which empowers farmers to make better planting decisions. With projects like Elon Musk’s nanosatellite network expanding internet access, marginalized farmers can increasingly leverage climate data. CGIAR also focuses on producing accurate data for the Global South, as existing climate models often rely on data from the Global North, which doesn’t reflect realities in places like Sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia. Our data can inform region-specific, actionable climate strategies.
IPS: How does CGIAR support innovations and resilience in vulnerable regions?
Elouafi: CGIAR operates the largest publicly funded international agricultural research network, with a strong focus on least-income countries. Our goal is to close the yield gap between high- and low-income nations by providing bundles of innovations: drought-resistant varieties, small-scale irrigation, processing improvements, and access to markets. By helping farmers integrate these innovations, we ensure they’re more resilient and have a steady income. Additionally, our research helps policymakers design better frameworks to support smallholders and incentivize sustainable agri-food systems.
IPS: What do you hope COP29 will achieve in advancing agricultural and climate agendas?
Elouafi: COP29 must carry forward the momentum from COP28, where the UAE’s Declaration on Sustainable Agri-Food Systems was endorsed by 160 countries. Agriculture, food, and water systems need to be central to climate discussions. As we look to COP30 in Brazil, with its expertise in regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, I hope we continue viewing agriculture not as part of the climate problem but as an essential solution to it. Climate adaptation in agriculture is non-negotiable—lives and livelihoods depend on it.
Whaia with her daughter Moana at COP29. Credit: Aishwarya Bajpai/IPS
BAKU, Nov 15 2024 (IPS) – Kaitiaki! Whaia says she is at COP29 to bring indigenous wisdom to influence policy and to provide guardianship (kaitiaki) of the climate negotiations.
Whaia, who now lives in Aotearoa, New Zealand, was raised as an Indigenous Aboriginal in Australia, where through her community she led a life of cultural practices that protect the environment.
“Our cultural practices, our cultural ways, and the environment have always been our teacher and our classroom. To recognize our ‘Kaitiaki’ responsibilities is to be with the environment in the way that we have always lived.”
She came here with the Wisdom Keeper delegation and non-profit Indigenous Global Eldership, expressing a preference for saying, “That we are walking with them.” There are 16 members in the delegation with people from all across the globe—Hopi nation, Totemic Mexican, Māori, Palestinian, African, Canadian, Australian, U.S. and Amazonian.
Advocating for people from diverse backgrounds in the policy space, she said, “People are from different places here but united by a common goal. Some of us have been working in this policy space and some of us are new to the policy world. So we are about bridging the gaps between these spaces.”
With regard to promoting Indigenous knowledge, Whaia said, “Sometimes we feel that we don’t know policy. However, if we know our rights of passage, our ancient practices and our protocols, then we know policy. It just gets lost in translation within the language. So we are here to cross the bridge.”
Whaia came to the COP29 with her daughter. Moana beamed when she told IPS that it was Moana’s second COP. “Moana also walked with the Wisdom Keeper delegation in Dubai last year when she was just seven years old.”
On bringing Moana to COP 29, she said, “I take her to all important meetings. I believe that we should actually bring the wisdom into our younger generation. They are the ones who will inherit the choices that we make.”
Whaia, beautifully playing multiple roles as an indigenous person, policy advocate, feminist, and mother, says, “Time taken to take care of our children is never a burden. Taking care of family are the rights and responsibilities that we all must step into. It starts at home, within our communities and extends globally.”
