COP29-Declarations-and-Pledges-Letter

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In Solidarity for

a Green World

COP29 Declarations and Pledges Letter


Date: 16 October 2024
Location: Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Colleagues,
Last month, I wrote to you to present the individual Presidency-led initiatives and envisaged outcomes and how they
support the COP29 Presidency’s vision to enhance ambition and enable action.

Enhancing ambition and setting clear targets and plans are crucial in the fight against climate change, providing a solid
foundation for us to measure progress and identify areas needing improvement. These commitments send strong market
signals, which can help us direct financial flows and identify priority areas for research and development. Moreover, they
foster a sense of shared responsibility and urgency, galvanising action across all sectors of society. By aiming high, we
create the momentum needed to transform aspirations into tangible results, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

In this context, I am writing to share the COP29 Pledges and Declarations, which aim to contribute to this process.
These outcome documents form part of the initiatives launched by the COP29 Presidency, as outlined in previous
correspondence.

We are grateful to everyone who provided feedback on the COP29 Pledges and Declarations. To ensure maximum
inclusivity, we extended the formal consultation period beyond the timeline set out in my previous letter and we
continued to receive comments on draft documents until 10 October 2024.

The COP29 Presidency’s Pledges and Declarations are now attached as annexes. These documents offer all
stakeholders - including governments, local administrations, municipal authorities, international organisations, UN
agencies, multilateral development banks, multilateral climate funds, civil society, private and philanthropic entities, and
other stakeholders - the chance to enhance their commitment to climate action.

The list of COP29 Pledges and Declarations is as follows:

• COP29 Truce Appeal


• COP29 Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge
• COP29 Green Energy Zones and Corridors Pledge
• COP29 Hydrogen Declaration
• COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action
• COP29 Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste
• COP29 Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) Declaration to Resilient and Healthy Cities
• COP29 Declaration on Enhanced Action in Tourism
• COP29 Declaration on Water for Climate Action

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These pledges and declarations aim to drive progress across all climate pillars. They address some of the biggest
priorities for climate action as well as shine a spotlight on forgotten priorities. They present opportunities for governments
to incorporate sectoral targets and strategies into national climate plans, and for all stakeholders to agree on principles
and pathways to bolster collective climate action.

As we seek greater ambition from all actors, the COP29 Presidency acknowledges the importance of fulfilling past
commitments to strengthen trust in the climate process. For some priorities, these initiatives build on existing pledges
to maintain momentum and ensure continuity. Many also take the next steps towards implementing the outcomes of the
First Global Stocktake.

Alone, endorsing these pledges and declarations will not deliver the changes we need to put the world on track to keep
1.5C within reach and build a climate resilient world. Their ambitions must be delivered and they must be complemented
by progress on multiple fronts. But they play a significant role in supporting the COP29 Presidency’s broader vision to
enhance ambition and enable action.

We strongly encourage all Parties and non-Party stakeholders to join these declarations, pledges and the appeal and
help build momentum for climate action ahead of COP29. All stakeholders can support the declarations, pledges and the
appeal through any official communications, note verbale, letter or email to the focal point as per Annex 1.

We are also glad to inform all of you that, the COP29 Truce Appeal initiated by the COP29 Presidency has already
mobilised 127 countries and almost 1100 non-state actors, to whom we express our gratitude for their support.

Furthermore, the COP29 Presidency will publish more details on specific events taking place during COP29 on our
website. These events aim to bring together relevant stakeholders for focused discussions on thematic items and we will
also launch the declarations and pledges at them.

We look forward to working with you all to make COP29 a success and drive meaningful progress on global climate action.

H.E. Mukhtar Babayev


COP29 President-Designate
Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources,
Republic of Azerbaijan

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Annex 1: Summary of the COP29 Presidency Declarations and Pledges

COP29 Truce Appeal

The appeal for a COP Truce, modelled on the Olympic Truce, will highlight the importance of peace and climate action.
It will aim to remind all nations of the interplay between conflict and climate change and emphasise the imperative of
finding collective solutions to protect the most vulnerable.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration at [email protected]

COP29 Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge

The outcome Pledge will aim to increase global energy storage capacity six times above 2022 levels, reaching 1,500
gigawatts by 2030. To enhance energy grids, endorsers will also commit to enhance grid capacity through a global grid
deployment goal of adding or refurbishing 25 million kilometres of grids by 2030, recognising analysis from the IEA on
the need to add or refurbish an additional 65 million kilometres by 2040 to align with net-zero emissions by 2050.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Pledge at [email protected]

COP29 Green Energy Pledge: Green Energy Zones and Corridors

The outcome Pledge will commit to green energy zones and corridors, including targets to promote investment, stimulate
economic growth, develop, modernise and expand infrastructure, and foster regional cooperation.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Pledge at [email protected]

COP29 Hydrogen Declaration

The outcome Declaration will unlock the potential of a global market for clean hydrogen and its derivatives with guiding
principles and priorities, to address regulatory, technological, financing, and standardisation barriers.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration at [email protected]

COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action

The outcome Declaration will emphasize the urgent need for accelerated climate action in the tourism sector and
call upon stakeholders to promote sustainable tourism practices by reducing emissions and increasing resilience in
the sector. Governments endorsing the Declaration will work towards positioning tourism as a component of climate
solutions by integrating tourism into national climate policy documents.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration at [email protected]

COP29 Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste

The outcome Declaration will streamline work towards 1.5-aligned waste sector commitments in national climate policy
documents with quantified targets to reduce methane in waste and food systems.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration at [email protected]

COP29 Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) Declaration to Resilient and Healthy Cities

The outcome Declaration will seek to enhance multisectoral cooperation to address climate challenges in cities and an
initiative to create coherence in all urban climate efforts and catalyse urban climate finance.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration at [email protected]

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COP29 Declaration on Enhanced Action in Tourism

The outcome Declaration will include sectoral targets for tourism in NDCs and promote sustainable practices by reducing
emissions and increasing resilience in the sector. A further initiative with outcomes to enhance transparency in the sector
and provide frameworks for sustainable food systems in tourism.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration at [email protected]

COP29 Declaration on Water for Climate Action

The outcome Declaration will call upon stakeholders to take integrated approaches when combating the causes and
impacts of climate change on water basins and water-related ecosystems, strengthen regional and international
cooperation, integrated water-related mitigation and adaptation measures in national climate policies. The Declaration
will launch the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action to enhance COP-to-COP continuity and coherence in the field.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration at [email protected]

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Annex 2: Joint Solemn Appeal by the COP29 Presidency for a COP Truce
This year, the world will gather in Baku, Azerbaijan for COP29 - a historic opportunity to advance the global climate
action agenda.

Climate change impacts our only home - the Earth - and every nation must be unwavering in this battle.

COP29’s fundamental message is that our common humanity can transcend political differences and stand together
in unity.
Amidst conflicts spreading and rising, this ideal is more critical than ever. It is a unique chance to bridge divides and
find paths towards lasting peace.

Conflicts increase greenhouse gas emissions and ravage the environment, polluting soil, water and air. The devastation
of ecosystems and pollution caused by conflicts worsen climate change and undermine our efforts to safeguard the planet.

Climate talks must be unifying, with undivided attention and cooperation by all.

We call on everyone to observe the COP Truce during the month of COP29.

Let the COP Truce serve as a symbol of human solidarity.

Let’s unite for a safer, more prosperous and sustainable future for all.

It is only by prioritising peace and climate action that we can ensure a liveable planet for future generations.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration through:

Any official written communications (letter, note verbale, etc.) to the COP29 Presidency or email to [email protected]

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Annex 3: COP29 Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge
We, national governments and other stakeholders, including international organisations, financial institutions,
philanthropies, private sector entities, and civil society organisations;

Recalling UN General Assembly resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, entitled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development”; the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); and the Paris Agreement;

Acknowledging that, in order to help ensure that the global community meets the Paris Agreement goal of holding the
increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the
temperature increase to 1.5°C, deep, rapid and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions must be achieved
by 2030;

Recalling the outcome of the first global stocktake under the Paris Agreement within the UAE Consensus, decision 1/CMA.5
paragraph 28, which calls on Parties to contribute to global efforts, in a nationally determined manner, taking into account
the Paris Agreement and different national circumstances, pathways and approaches, tripling renewable energy capacity
globally and doubling the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030, accelerating efforts
towards net-zero emission energy systems, utilising zero- and low-carbon fuels well before or by around mid-century and
accelerating zero- and low-emission technologies;

Recognising global efforts towards tripling global renewable energy capacity and doubling the global average annual rate
of energy efficiency improvements by 2030, and accelerating low emission and clean technologies, and recognising that
to achieve these goals the enablers set out in this pledge have an essential role in ensuring a robust energy storage and
grid infrastructure, and the stability, integration and resilience of energy grids, ensuring energy security;

Recognising that energy storage and grid infrastructure are both essential to develop resilient, decarbonised global energy
systems, with storage technologies enhancing the ability of grids to integrate variable renewable energy, optimise grid
usage, stabilise supply and enhance energy security, with grid expansions and modernisations necessary to maximise
the deployment and efficiency of energy storage technologies;

Recognising the need to efficiently manage growing energy demand, including peak loads, and effectively integrate rapidly
increasing shares of variable renewables and low-emission/clean energy generation through means such as deployment
of more cost-effective power grid infrastructure and overall grid resilience, efficiency, and flexibility enhancements;

Recognising the findings by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
that batteries and other energy storage technologies can cost-effectively support energy grid reliability in a variety of ways,
including (1) smoothing out the variability of renewables, (2) alleviating grid congestion, and (3) providing services, such as
voltage and frequency control, as well as greatly enhancing the potential of renewables to contribute to reliable, flexible
and highly integrated energy systems that contribute to achieving global net-zero emissions, and that distributed energy
resources, such as solar paired with storage, can support decarbonisation, resilience and the electrification of isolated
areas;

Recognising that battery costs have come down more than 90% over the last 15 years;

Noting that as electrification and renewable and low-emission/clean energy generation accelerate, grid development and
interconnections will be essential to integrate increased and distributed renewable energy generation;

Highlighting the need for a robust, flexible and modern grid infrastructure to integrate clean energy sources, ensure reliable
and resilient power generation, ensure optimal system integration and improve energy security by managing fluctuations in
supply and demand;

Noting recent multilateral efforts, including the Group of Seven (G7) and the Group of Twenty’s (G20) recent commitments
to a global energy storage target of deploying 1,500 GW of energy storage in the power sector by 2030, representing a more
than six-fold increase from 2022 levels;

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Acknowledging the gap between current global energy storage capacity forecasts, which estimate an increase to 650 GW
by the end of this decade, and the need for a more ambitious scale-up to meet the 1,500 GW target;

Underscoring that interventions to the electricity grid – including implementing grid infrastructure expansion and
improvements, incorporating advanced grid technologies, and improving project permitting and planning, taking into
account environmental and local perspectives are critical to countries’ ability to deliver needed power while tripling
renewable energy in the coming years;

Noting the crucial roles and unique perspectives of women, local communities, Indigenous Peoples and youth in
sustainable development and deployment of energy storage solutions and grids, and that actively promoting their full
and equitable participation is at the core of climate action;

Noting the importance of leveraging existing international efforts and organizations to advance coordinated international
action and to review progress in line with this Declaration;

Commit to a collective goal of deploying 1,500 GW of energy storage in the power sector globally by 2030, more than six
times the level of 2022, and to pursue efforts towards this goal, such as through:

1. Establishing policies and enabling regulatory frameworks that facilitate the adoption of energy storage and support
meeting the storage target and addressing barriers faced by storage projects, including double taxation;
2. Accounting for energy storage as a necessary component for grid enhancement and resilience and facilitating the
integration of energy storage technologies in power grid planning and operations, as well as the role of standalone
storage solutions in addressing the needs of local communities especially in remote and island areas;
3. Strengthening the capabilities of countries and regions on planning integrated energy systems to appropriately
incorporate different energy storage options at different scales of the energy system, alongside other strategies for grid
balancing and stabilisation, as well as frequency stabilisation;
4. Promoting technology development and deployment to increase storage efficiency and reduce storage costs through
technology improvements and learning effects, and supporting a broad range of storage technologies, including
battery storage, pumped hydro storage, mechanical (such as gravity energy storage), clean and sustainable liquids
and gases (including hydrogen for long-term energy storage), and thermal storage systems, to enhance technological
diversity and supply chain resilience;
5. Promoting investments in energy storage technologies, including the development and deployment of storage
solutions;
6. Encouraging diversified, sustainable, secure and transparent supply chains for materials and components needed for
energy storage, especially battery storage, including sustainable and cost-competitive alternative battery chemistries
and materials, and promoting resource efficiency and circularity across the entire life cycle of energy and especially
battery storage systems;
7. Encouraging standardisation in consideration of battery design and performance, which in turn could facilitate second-
life applications and recycling, as well as grid stability service provision;
8. Strengthening international collaboration in areas essential for market development, standards, sustainable supply
chains and delivering finance at scale;
9. Promoting social awareness about the role and benefits of energy storage and increasing education, training and job
creation in this field;
10. Promoting the equitable inclusion of women, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and youth in energy storage
initiatives, facilitating their active involvement, leadership and access to training opportunities in the sector;
11. Actively engaging and leveraging the capabilities of the private sector and financial institutions, including
philanthropies, to accelerate the development and deployment of energy storage technologies.

Commit to enhance grid capacity through a global grid deployment goal of adding or refurbishing 25 million kilometres of
grids by 2030, recognising analysis from the IEA on the need to add or refurbish an additional 65 million kilometres by 2040
to align with net-zero emissions by 2050, and working to strengthen the electricity grid infrastructure, such as through:

Increasing grid investment: Scaling up considerably grid investments, recalling the analysis that global grid investment
needs to nearly double by 2030, to support the transition to clean energy and help achieve global net-zero emissions by
2050;

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1. Modernising and expanding infrastructure: Increasing transmission and distribution capacity of existing infrastructure
and incorporating grid-enhancing technologies while using batteries strategically to avoid costly and unnecessary grid
expansion;
2. Addressing bottlenecks: Developing policies to address planning, financing, regulatory incentives, digitalisation,
supply chains, and capacity building to overcome grid investment challenges;
3. Supporting the integration of renewables: Promoting grid infrastructure that can accommodate the increasing volume
of renewable and low-emission/clean energy projects and reduce the backlog of projects waiting to be connected to
the grid;
4. Promoting regional integration: Integrating electricity systems at a regional level and between countries to enhance
energy security and resilience, improve access to clean electricity, and increase efficiency through economies of scale;
5. Investing in advanced technologies: Increasing investments in High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission to
reduce power losses and support the integration of variable renewable and low-emission/clean energy;
6. Strengthening international cooperation: Partnering with international financial institutions, public and private sector
stakeholders, and other relevant stakeholders to address critical bottlenecks, including cross-border interconnections,
and build momentum on grid modernisation.
7. Promoting social awareness and skills: Strengthening social awareness about the role and benefits of grids, increasing
education, training and job creation in this field.

Together, through this pledge, we are committed to making energy storage and action on electricity grids one of the
cornerstones of the global energy system, thereby contributing to combating climate change and advancing towards
just and inclusive energy transitions. Furthermore, we aim to review progress towards the implementation of the Global
Energy Storage and Grids Pledge through dedicated meetings, including those convened at future UN Climate Change
Conferences, as well as through relevant reports and knowledge-sharing efforts.

We call on other states and stakeholders to join the Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration through:

Any official written communications (letter, note verbale, etc.) to the COP29 Presidency or email
[email protected]

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Annex 4: COP29 Green Energy Pledge: Green Energy Zones and Corridors
We, national governments and other stakeholders, including international organisations, financial institutions,
philanthropies, private sector entities, and civil society organisations;

Recalling the commitments made by the governments which endorsed the COP28 Global Renewables and Energy
Efficiency Pledge to work together to triple global installed renewable energy generation capacity to at least 11,000
gigawatts (GW) by 2030, taking into consideration different starting points and national circumstances, and to collectively
double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements from around 2% to over 4% every year by 2030,
and to put the principle of energy efficiency as the first fuel at the core of policymaking, planning, and major investment
decisions, as well as the call on Parties in the outcome of the first global stocktake under the Paris Agreement to contribute
to the global efforts of transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly and equitable manner;

Recognising that renewable energy sources are abundant and high potential renewable and low-emission/clean energy
generation may be located in areas far from the centres of consumption both within and beyond national borders, it can
be highly advantageous to reap the benefits of larger intraregional and interregional interconnected power grids, and
acknowledging that advances in High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission lines enable cost-effective and secure
transmission of electricity over long distances with minimal losses;

Recalling our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy)
and SDG 13 (Climate action);

Recognising green energy corridors as a tool to enable energy transitions and sustainable development through
interconnection of electricity systems and noting that many existing and planned interconnection projects aim at increasing
the share of renewable and low-emission/clean energy in the electricity system;

Recognising the key role of green energy zones in increasing the efficiency of renewable and low-emission/clean energy
generation, while gradually reducing dependence on fossil fuels, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing
environmental impacts by developing clean energy projects, including also through removal and abatement technologies;

Noting that green energy zones serve as strategic zones that harness renewable and low-emission/clean energy to
attract investment through targeted incentives and policies, promote eco-industrial development, create employment
opportunities, and foster sustainable economic growth through the development of eco-industrial parks and decarbonized
sectors such as, inter alia, transport and ecotourism;

Commit to promoting green energy zones for tackling climate change, promoting economic growth and energy security,
and improving the quality of life for local communities, such as by:

1. Promotion of efficient use of natural resources: Harnessing clean energy sources while minimising the environmental
impact associated with the spread of infrastructure.
2. Stimulating investment and economic viability: Advocating for policies and incentives that attract investment to green
energy zones and strengthen competitiveness of sustainable energy projects;
3. Sustainable economic growth and job creation: Maximising the potential of green energy zones to stimulate economic
growth and create jobs, while involving communities in planning and decision-making processes. This includes, among
others, supporting the development of manufacturing clusters and eco-industrial parks, and promoting eco-tourism.
4. Developing infrastructure and enhanced energy efficiency applications: Developing infrastructure that supports both
sustainable energy projects and local communities. This includes improving roads, grid connections, and energy
storage solutions, as well as implementing energy efficiency applications that maximise the benefits of renewable
energy sources.

Commit to promoting green energy corridors, through a holistic approach such as by:
1. Regional cooperation and policy framework: Fostering regional cooperation for accelerating electricity interconnection.
Regional cooperation can promote the joint development of harmonised policies, relevant institutional and regulatory
frameworks that incentivise grid integration of renewable and low-emission/clean energy and cross-border
collaboration for the transmission of electricity.
2. Institutional framework: Establishing or expanding multilateral platforms for stakeholder cooperation across relevant
areas, where appropriate. This may include developing a common methodology for feasibility studies, including the
necessary modelling, and ensuring data transparency and reliability.

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3. Infrastructure backbone: Encourage regional infrastructure planning and developing least-cost energy modelling
approaches, including relevant sustainability parameters and a transparent process for connecting renewable and low-
emission/clean energy generation to the grid.
4. Enabling financing: Partnering with public and private sector entities, as well as philanthropies, to facilitate investments
at subnational, national, regional and international levels. This may include the establishment of appropriate financial
frameworks to ensure that initiatives are economically viable.
5. Regulatory frameworks: Making progress towards the harmonization of grid codes, where appropriate, to encourage
interconnection, enable secure and flexible operations and to incentivize flexible demand. Bilateral and multilateral
cross-border power trading arrangements can be enabled through harmonised and coordinated procedures that
emphasise flexible and least-cost electricity trading, strengthening the resilience of electricity systems.
6. Transparent procurement mechanisms: Promoting fair, open, and transparent procurement mechanisms for the
realisation of the necessary cross-border and domestic infrastructure, and encouraging contractors to pay particular
attention to the treatment of environmental and social aspects.

Through this pledge, we are committed to combining and building on our existing efforts to promote regional cooperation,
sustainable investment, and the advancement of infrastructure development. We intend to pursue inclusive stakeholder
consultations, particularly with communities impacted by new infrastructure projects. Furthermore, we aim to review
progress towards the implementation of the Green Energy Pledge: Green Energy Zones and Corridors through dedicated
meetings, including those convened at future UN Climate Change Conferences, and request the International Energy
Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to reflect information on the progress made through
this pledge in their relevant reports.

This collective journey will take us towards a climate resilient, equitable, sustainable and clean energy future, and we call on
other states and stakeholders to join the Green Energy Pledge: green energy zones and corridors.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration through:

Any official written communications (letter, note verbale, etc.) to the COP29 Presidency or email
[email protected]

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Annex 5: COP29 Hydrogen Declaration
We, national governments and other stakeholders, including international organisations, financial institutions,
philanthropies, private sector entities, and civil society organisations;

United in our commitments to urgently address climate change and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, particularly
pursuing efforts to limit temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and meet the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs);

Recalling, in particular, the goal to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all under SDG7;

Recognising the positive momentum generated by the outcomes of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (Dubai,
United Arab Emirates), G7 (Turin, Italy) and G20 (New Delhi, India) that acknowledge the role of renewable, clean/zero-
emission and low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives in accelerating the global clean energy transition;

Raising concern that while governments and the private sector have taken first steps to promote the adoption of renewable,
clean/zero-emission and low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives, these actions remain insufficient to align with global
climate objectives;

Noting the IRENA and IEA estimates that renewable, clean/zero-emission and low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives
currently account for less than one million tonnes (Mt) while 95 Mt of hydrogen globally is produced from unabated fossil
fuels, resulting in over 900 Mt of CO2 emissions per year;

Building on the outcome of the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement as part of the UAE Consensus, particularly
decision 1/CMA.5, paragraphs 27, 28 and 29, highlighting the need for deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse
gas emissions in line with 1.5°C pathways and calling on governments to contribute to various global efforts, including
accelerating zero- and low-emission technologies, including, inter alia, renewables, nuclear, as well as abatement and
removal technologies;

Underscoring the unique role that renewable, clean/zero-emission and low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives can
play in contributing to these objectives by facilitating the integration of renewable energy, supporting the clean energy
transition particularly in hard-to-abate sectors, and promoting economic opportunities and infrastructure development,
while facilitating just and equitable transitions, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including non-CO₂ emissions,
particularly methane, in alignment with global climate objectives;

Noting the importance of leveraging existing international efforts, such as the Hydrogen Breakthrough and partner
initiatives, to advance our commitments, including by helping to advance coordinated international action and to review
progress in line with this Declaration;

We, the endorser, hereby declare our commitment to:

Work together to scale up renewable, clean/zero-emission and low-carbon hydrogen production and deployment and
accelerate decarbonisation of existing hydrogen production from unabated fossil fuels to facilitate energy transitions and
achieve near-zero GHG emissions from hydrogen production, targeting particularly end-use sectors that are difficult to
decarbonise, taking into consideration national circumstances.

We highlight the need to strengthen efforts, collective and individual, to fulfil this commitment, including by way of:

Stimulating demand for renewable, clean/zero-emission and low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives, including through
the advancement of demand-side measures, such as targets, incentives, mandates, public procurement initiatives and
public-private partnerships to advance deployment particularly in end-use sectors that are difficult to decarbonise;

Accelerating the development of global standards to support the process of mutual recognition of certification schemes
through continued international cooperation on improving compatibility, consistency, transparency, sustainability and
interoperability of relevant frameworks and instruments, including by consideration of the adoption of or consistency with
globally recognised standards for evidencing carbon intensity;

Supporting financial and technical assistance to deploy effective, efficient, and scalable instruments, particularly in
developing countries, to accelerate investment in renewable, clean/zero-emission and low-carbon hydrogen and its
derivatives across the value chain;

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Promoting just transitions and capacity building to assist in reskilling and upskilling industry workforces and providing
essential information to policymakers to unlock quality jobs and new economic opportunities, green industrialisation and
socio-economic growth, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies, to facilitate safe, inclusive and
equitable just transitions while pursuing the acceleration of renewable, clean/zero-emission and low-carbon hydrogen
and its derivatives;

Advancing global trade through international collaboration and public-private partnerships to support the development of
cross-border value chains, including enabling infrastructure and the wider supply chain, as well as pursuing a level-playing
field to pave the way for an international market for renewable, clean/zero-emission and low-carbon hydrogen and its
derivatives;

Investing in research, development and demonstration (RD&D) and knowledge-exchange across the renewable, clean/
zero-emission and low-carbon hydrogen value chain and working together with other governments and stakeholders to
support continued innovation and sharing of best practices, and increase the number and geographical distribution of
hydrogen demonstration projects across high-value end-use sectors;

Promoting climate and environmental stewardship and actively addressing the sustainability aspects of hydrogen
through pursuing actions to help ensure hydrogen systems are maximally beneficial to the climate across the hydrogen
value chain and conducted in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, including by minimising greenhouse
gas emissions associated with hydrogen production and use, minimising energy and hydrogen losses throughout the value
chain, and mitigating potential impacts to air quality, water resources and land use;

Encouraging the integration of renewable, clean/zero-emission and low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives into national
climate and energy plans, where relevant and possible, and subject to national circumstances.

This Declaration represents our collective intent to drive forward the global agenda for renewable, clean/zero-emission and
low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives, placing our climate commitments at the centre, working to ensure sustainable, just
and equitable energy transitions for all.

We commit to reconvene at the 30th UN Climate Change Conference to discuss progress in our collective efforts.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration through:

Any official written communications (letter, note verbale, etc.) to the COP29 Presidency or email [email protected]

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Annex 6: COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action
We, national governments and other stakeholders, including international organisations, financial institutions,
philanthropies, private sector entities, academia, and civil society organisations;

Recognising the imperative to mitigate and adapt to climate change and underscoring the important role of digital
technologies in achieving these objectives, the objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) and the goals of the Paris Agreement, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Pact of the Future;

Highlighting that digital innovations can have enabling and systemic effects in reducing GHG emissions across various
economic sectors and adapting to climate change impacts when properly used and governed;

Noting with concern the adverse climate impacts associated with the full life cycle of digital technologies and related tools,
devices and infrastructures, including with regard to the energy and water consumption of the digital sector, notably in the
case of data processing centres, artificial intelligence development and deployment, coupled with the carbon footprint and
pollution of producing digital tools and devices, as well as the unsustainable disposal of obsolete digital infrastructure, that
need to be addressed;

Acknowledging that more consistent, technically rigorous and comprehensive data on GHG emissions and energy
consumption from the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector can significantly enhance our progress
towards accurately assessing its climate impacts and setting more effective climate targets;

Underlining the various digital divides as substantial impediments to achieving equitable, inclusive, just and digital
transitions, and cognisant that disparities in digital access, capacities and resources can deepen inequalities and obstruct
global climate efforts;

Expressing deep concern about the potential effects that disinformation and misinformation may have on the credibility
of scientific knowledge and on the global perception of the causes and potential impacts of climate change, as well as on
public awareness, mobilisation and collective action to prevent and combat these impacts;

Reaffirming the imperative to address these disparities to fully leverage digitalisation for global sustainability, ensuring
that all benefit from a meaningfully connected world while leaving no one behind, including Indigenous Peoples, local
communities, women, children, youth, and persons with disabilities;

Emphasising the importance of stronger collaboration between governments, the private sector, academia, technical
communities, civil society and other stakeholders - in conformity with their roles and responsibilities, as well as synergy
building among international organisations, and collective action and strengthened partnerships as a way to leverage
digitalisation for climate action effectively;

Affirm within our respective mandates the following common objectives:

1. Leveraging Digital Technologies and Tools for Climate Action: Encourage the development and adoption of
sustainable digital technologies to accelerate GHG emissions abatement, reductions, and removal and energy
efficiency across sectors and to support climate-resilient communities, including through the UNFCCC Technology
Mechanism. Additionally, enhance climate monitoring and forecasting and strengthen emergency response and
preparedness capabilities through the broader use of digital technologies, including mobile early warning systems.
Encourage improvement of digital technologies for energy modelling and forecasting to make grids more resilient to
climate change’s impacts and support clean energy initiatives that are adopting digital solutions.
2. Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure: Emphasise the importance of designing digital infrastructure resilient to
climate change impacts, ensuring the continued functionality of critical digital systems in adverse conditions.
3. Mitigating Digitalisation’s Climate Impact: Develop policies and technical advancements to contribute to achieving net-
zero emissions and minimize the resource intensity of digital technologies. This includes powering digital infrastructure
with clean energy, promoting energy-efficient practices, reducing emissions embedded in digital infrastructure and
supply chains, extending product lifecycles, and improving recycling and e-waste management systems. It also includes
establishing metrics and indicators to measure climate impacts of ICTs and to monitor the impact of digital actions on
climate.

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4. Promoting Digital Inclusion and Literacy: Promote the accessibility of digital technologies for climate action to
developing countries, including Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. This involves
supporting digital skills, digital literacy and capacity-building initiatives, especially for young people and women. Foster
local digital ecosystems by providing support and resources for startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and
research institutions working on sustainable digital solutions.
5. Data-driven decision-making: Deploy assessment methodologies to estimate the net climate impact of green digital
solutions, implement effective systems to accurately track and standardise climate-related data and energy usage and
effectively monitor regulatory adherence and data quality and integrity.
6. Fostering Sustainable Innovation: Mobilise existing climate funds and invest across all channels in innovation, research
and development and implementation of environmentally sustainable digital technologies and resilient infrastructure,
encouraging collaboration across sectors to integrate climate considerations early in and throughout the technological
development process. Recognise the importance of protecting intellectual property rights to incentivise innovation
while also enhancing cooperative action to facilitate the widespread adoption of digital and green technologies.
Promote policies that account for the protection of intellectual property and the need for open access to technologies
that contribute to global climate goals.
7. Encouraging Sustainable Consumer Practices: Promote awareness and education on sustainable digital consumption
and practices among consumers.
8. Facilitating the Sharing of Best Practices: Leverage existing mechanisms and develop and implement new
mechanisms that facilitate the sharing of best practices, including both good policy practices and effective technology
applications, among countries in using digital technologies to reduce GHG emissions and enhance adaptation and
resilience. By creating platforms for knowledge exchange and fostering international collaboration, we can ensure
that successful initiatives, both in policy and technology, are replicated and adapted to diverse contexts, thereby
accelerating global progress toward achieving climate and environmental goals.

Implementation Framework

We intend to incorporate these objectives into policies that address both digital and low-emission transition pathways,
ensuring mutual support among digital, energy and climate policies and goals. This includes, amongst others, when and
where applicable, integrating digital environmental sustainability into national climate strategies and policies, investing in
environmentally sustainable digital technologies, using science-based methodologies that demonstrate the net positive
contribution of digital solutions, and strengthening the role of digital technologies as enablers of climate solutions in
countries’ Technology Needs Assessments, Technology Action Plans and technical assistance provided by the Climate
Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), which help inform countries in the development, updating and implementation of
their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

Collaboration

We intend to convene, when necessary, with stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, and international
organisations through the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism and the ITU Green Digital Action initiative to enhance
collaboration.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration through:

Any official written communications (letter and note verbale) to the COP29 Presidency or email to [email protected]

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Annex 7: COP29 Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste
We, national governments;

Recognising that by reducing methane emissions in all relevant sectors, principally in fossil energy, agricultural and waste
sectors by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030, the world has the potential to avoid projected global warming by at least
0.2°C by 2050 as outlined in the Global Methane Assessment, making it an important action to keeping the global average
temperatures within the 1.5°C threshold;

Further recognising that such reductions could generate important health, nature, livelihood, and economic benefits,
preventing an estimated 255,000 premature deaths annually, 775,000 asthma-related hospitalisations, 73 billion hours
of lost labour due to extreme heat, and significant crop losses in the agricultural sector while protecting biodiversity by
reducing ground-level ozone pollution and impacts from rising temperatures;

Noting that methane in the waste sector is the rapidly growing source of anthropogenic methane emissions, resulting
primarily from the decomposition of organic waste in landfills, open dumps, and wastewater, and contributing almost 20%
of anthropogenic methane emissions;

Acknowledging food waste and food loss is a significant global issue affecting countries worldwide, with substantial
environmental, economic, and social impact. Noting that the UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024 estimated that 8-10%
of total global emissions relate to food loss and waste alone;

Noting that poor waste management and the effects of open dumps or illegal landfills adversely impact social and
environmental justice efforts;

Emphasising the importance of cooperation at local, regional, and global levels to tackle waste management challenges,
including those related to shipment of waste and ocean pollution;

Recalling the findings of recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessments that to be consistent with
IPCC 1.5C scenarios, globally methane emissions from the waste sector must drop by 30-35% below 2020 levels by 2030
and nearly 55% by 2050;

Noting that the outcome of the first global stocktake (GST) under the Paris Agreement recognised the need to substantially
accelerate the reduction of methane emissions by 2030;

Underscoring that addressing and reversing the current surge of waste generation necessitates action on waste
prevention, circular economy and zero waste practices adhering to the waste hierarchy, including composting of organic
waste or other treatment of organic waste;

Noting that these actions come with important economic opportunities as well as opportunities to address the triple
planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss;

Recalling that today, about 25% of the total land area across the globe is degraded, directly impacting 3.2 billion people,
especially small-scale farmers and rural communities, and affecting millions more through food insecurity, higher food
prices, climate change, environmental hazards, and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, making solutions to
rebuild soil an issue of urgency;

Recalling the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological
Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and
noting outcomes of the UN Food Systems Summit, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Pact of the
Future;

Recognising that strategies to prevent, reduce and reuse organic waste, whether by making use of it as a resource material,
composting it to enrich soils as fertilizer, or using it to produce bioenergy offer numerous economic and environmental
benefits. These strategies serve as climate solutions while also contributing to enhancing food security and energy access,
promoting bioeconomy, avoiding open burning and related air pollution, creating local jobs, improving living standards and
reducing costs for cities while contributing to more sustainable urban development;

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Emphasising that solutions to harness the above potential are available and affordable and that partnerships, policies
and finance can help their uptake;

Stressing the importance of developing and strengthening public-private partnerships as a progressive effort towards
sustainable waste management;

We declare our intent to work collaboratively and expeditiously to increase the pace and scale of action in pursuit of the
following objectives:

1. Prioritise and accelerate solutions that focus on avoidance, diversion, valorisation and infrastructure (ADVI) in the waste
sector;
2. Maximise climate, environment, circularity and food and nutrition security benefits;
3. Promote organic waste management and tackle food loss and waste aiming to close cycles, rebuild soils, enhance
urban and rural food systems and strengthen the bioeconomy;
4. Effectively integrate circular economy and waste measures in climate policies, including in the design of NDCs and
implementation plans;
5. Strengthen collaboration across key stakeholders, including internationally, regionally, across levels of government,
and by engaging local stakeholders such as farmers, waste pickers and bioenergy suppliers in diverting and
productively utilising organic waste;
6. Respond to the need to substantially scale up financial flows towards initiatives and projects that address methane
emissions from the waste sector including solutions that avoid organic waste, enhance collection, separation and
transportation systems, technology transfer and infrastructure development as well as the need for enhanced funding
from other promising but underinvested solutions;
7. Assist developing countries in improving their existing waste management infrastructure and strengthening their
capacity to develop such technologies in alignment with circular economy and resource efficiency practices;
8. Enhance capacity building and promote public awareness campaigns to educate and engage the public on the
importance of sustainable waste management and methane reduction.

To achieve these aims, we intend to pursue efforts within our respective mandates, in a nationally determined manner, in
partnership with international, regional, national and local actors to expedite the integration of organic waste management
into our climate action and, simultaneously, to mainstream climate action across our policy agendas and actions related to
waste management.

In seeking to fulfil these aims by 2030, we intend to strengthen our respective and shared efforts in five key enabling
areas for a waste sector transformation, and we encourage commitments and pledges with respect to:

1.50C-consistent waste sector components informing the design of future NDCs


Setting specific quantified national targets and/or measurable actions, plans, roadmaps, and policies for reducing methane
in waste and food systems in the design of future NDCs where appropriate and communicating these in the context of
implementation plans; information for clarity, transparency and understanding; or other relevant documents.

National and sub-national policies and actions


Developing and implementing national and, where appropriate, subnational policies, roadmaps, and action plans in the
waste sector, recognising that household waste management is a core function of cities, and considering the role of private
sector waste management companies in this context.

Stepping up finance
All relevant actors stepping up finance, identifying bankable projects, supporting feasibility studies and business plans to
scale up subnational action while also mobilising financial resources for the waste sector.

Data for action and transparency


Increasingly utilising observation-based techniques to understand where and how much methane is being emitted,
to identify key opportunities for mitigation and to support broader transparency efforts through data.

Striving to continuously improve the accuracy, transparency, consistency, comparability, and completeness of national
greenhouse gas inventory reporting under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.

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Innovative partnerships
Commitments, such as through the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) and the Lowering Organic Waste Methane (LOW
Methane) initiative, to significantly reduce sources of emissions have catalysed cooperation and knowledge-exchange
mechanisms. This includes South-South and triangular cooperation.

Also, promote climate actions in organic waste management through global partnerships and dialogue, considering the
perspectives of indigenous peoples, local communities, women, children, youth, persons with disabilities, and people in
vulnerable situations including informal waste pickers.

Via a Baku-to-Baku process, from COP29 to World Environment Day and the World Urban Forum to be held in Baku in 2026,
and cooperation with Rio-Trio platform, we intend to revisit progress and keep the topic high on the agenda. From COP29
to World Environment Day and the World Urban Forum in Baku in 2026, we will use a ‘Baku-to-Baku’ approach, regularly
reviewing progress and keeping this issue high on the global agenda. For coordination and support, the effort will rely on
the existing GMP Secretariat capacity within the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air and Climate Coalition and other
GMP implementers within UNEP, and other UN agencies.

National governments can endorse this Declaration through:

Any official written communications (letter, note verbale, etc.) to the COP29 Presidency or email to [email protected]

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Annex 8: COP29 Declaration on Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP)
to Resilient and Healthy Cities
We, national governments, local administrations and municipal authorities, members of parliaments and their associations,
and other stakeholders, including international organisations, financial institutions, philanthropies, private sector entities,
academia, and civil society organisations;

Recalling the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development, Pact for the Future and subsequent decisions made at UN Climate Change
Conferences on multilevel engagement, including the establishment of the High-Level Champion role at COP21 and the
Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action at COP22;

Recognising that more than half of the global population lives in cities and urbanisation is rapidly increasing due to
permanent and temporary human migration, economic growth and demographic shifts; that cities are the centre of mobility
of people, goods, trade and ideas; that urban areas are responsible for 80% of global GDP and 70% of greenhouse gas
emissions; yet are also impacted by climate change, with the most vulnerable being hit the hardest;

Acknowledging that local governments are taking ambitious climate action to deliver just and equitable transitions,
supported by city networks, other non-party stakeholders and the work of the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities
(LGMA) constituency in the UNFCCC, while noting with concern that many local governments, municipal and subnational
authorities, in particular in developing countries, lack access to sufficient financial resources, technology, and human,
institutional, and technical capacities, as well as access to data-based evidence to accelerate urban climate action;

Recognising that climate change and other global challenges require collaborating across levels of governments, sectors
and disciplines toward common solutions at the local, regional and global levels, with a view to achieving the objective of
the UNFCCC and the goals of the Paris Agreement, the New Urban Agenda, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
and the Pact for the Future;

Reaffirming the significance of fostering meaningful dialogue, cooperation, knowledge sharing, and coordination among
different stakeholders, including state and non-state actors, to promote positive climate mitigation and adaptation
outcomes that support sustainable urban development through interventions in various dimensions;

Highlighting the necessity of inclusive urban planning and incorporating approaches responsive to race, age, gender
and disability in urban climate strategies to address the impacts of climate change equitably and effectively across all
communities and regions;

Welcoming the ongoing processes and initiatives by COP Presidencies, the UN system, multilateral development banks,
philanthropic organisations, bilateral donors and their implementing agencies to create sustainable, climate-resilient and
healthy cities, including the COP27 Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGe) Initiative and the COP28
Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) for Climate Action;

We hereby intend to, where applicable and appropriate within our respective mandates and based on national contexts,

1. On nature and health, promote health equity and nature-positive urban development, including by enhancing
urban afforestation, reforestation, sustainable infrastructure and spaces, sustainable patterns of consumption and
production, nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches to mitigate urban heat and improve air quality;
2. On disaster resilience and early warning, strengthen urban climate resilience by integrating disaster risk reduction and
adaptation actions into infrastructure development and enhancing preparedness and early warning and anticipatory
action systems;
3. On technologies, reduce pollution and GHG emissions, enhance renewable and clean energy, and energy and water
efficiency in cities through environmentally sound and clean technologies, digital solutions and adoption of circular
economy approaches;
4. On jobs, integrate sustainability-related education and green jobs considerations into urban planning;
5. On buildings and construction, decrease GHG emissions from existing and new buildings, where applicable, by
promoting energy-efficient materials, technologies, processes, certifications and smart systems and access to finance
for low-emission, efficient and resilient buildings and construction sector;

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7. On transport, in close coordination with existing initiatives and programmes, develop and implement a vision for
low- and zero-emission integrated and connected transport systems by promoting increased use of public transport
and safe access to active mobility options, and reducing the sector’s carbon footprint through low- and zero-emission
solutions, such as renewable and low emissions fuels and the electrification of vehicles, including through digital
solutions;
8. On urban agriculture, where appropriate, promote integrated land use planning, sustainable urban agriculture and
resilient food systems to increase climate action;

Through,

1. Planning: future-oriented, sustainable, inclusive, nature positive and climate-resilient land use and urban planning;
2. Policies: facilitation of participation by local and where appropriate subnational authorities in the development of
multisectoral, multilevel and multistakeholder urban climate action plans, as well as their alignment with short- and
long-term national development strategies and national climate strategy and policy documents;
3. Science: acceleration of urban climate action with science in an inter- and transdisciplinary approach;
4. Finance: mobilisation of climate finance for both mitigation and adaptation in urban areas, across all channels,
including through public, private and public-private partnerships;
5. Collaboration: encouraging collaboration with the private sector, academia, and civil society, including youth
organisations, UN specialised agencies, other international organisations, MDBs, MCFs, philanthropic organisations,
bilateral donors, and their implementing agencies.

We encourage, where applicable and appropriate,

1. Stronger partnerships among UN agencies and intergovernmental organisations, MDBs, MCFs, philanthropic
organisations, bilateral donors and their implementing agencies for stronger ambition and actions for climate finance in
urban areas and coordination for resource mobilisation for cities and regions to enhance climate finance in urban areas
and access to finance for city and subnational, national and local governments;
2. Building linkages between World Urban Forums, UN Climate Change Conferences, World Environment Days, and other
relevant global and regional platforms for dialogue, actions, and initiatives, including through encouraging World Urban
Forums’ host governments to appoint a Special Envoy for Urban Climate Action;

Past, current and future COP Presidencies to establish the Baku Continuity Coalition on Urban Climate Action with the
facilitation of UN-Habitat and in close collaboration with LGMA to ensure continuity, foresight and synergies between
past and future climate and urban initiatives and issues, including through COP29 MAP and to encourage the inclusion of
sustainable urbanisation and urban climate action in future UN Climate Change Conferences.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration through:

Any official written communications (letter, note verbale, etc.) to the COP29 Presidency or email to [email protected]

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Annex 9: COP29 Declaration on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism
We, national governments and other stakeholders, including UN agencies, international organisations and financial
institutions;

Recalling the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Pact for the Future;

Highlighting the importance of the tourism sector to achieving the objective of the UNFCCC and the goals of the Paris
Agreement;

Considering the urgent need for accelerated action in light of the severe impact of the triple planetary crisis on our global
capacity to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and relevant climate commitments by 2030;

Acknowledging that effective climate action requires collaborative efforts at local, national, regional, and global levels in
different sectors;

Noting with concern that tourism has been estimated to account for a considerable share of global greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions which is predicted to increase;

Further noting the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, natural resources, and cultural heritage, while acknowledging
the potential of the tourism sector to contribute to global climate efforts through both adaptation and mitigation, and
understanding the strong link between tourism and development, and the necessity of transitioning to a climate-resilient,
low-carbon future for the sector;

Recognising that tourism presents a unique opportunity to advance climate action, particularly in countries where it is a
significant source of employment and revenue;

Stressing the importance of fostering dialogue, cooperation, experience and knowledge sharing among countries and
within the different stakeholders of the sector to advance climate action in the tourism sector;

Recalling the aim of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism launched at the COP26 in November 2021 and
the role it plays as a Global Climate Action Initiative providing tools and an action framework for tourism stakeholders,
including national tourism administrations, to accelerate climate action;

Welcoming the initiative of the COP29 Presidency to organise the first ever Tourism Thematic Day to be held within the
framework of COP29 on 20 November 2024 in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan;

Hereby declare the following:

We acknowledge the significant vulnerability of the tourism sector to climate change, highlighting the importance of
enhancing the sector’s effectiveness in climate action to help ensure its sustainable growth and resilience;

We recognise the need for further addressing and considering as appropriate the tourism sector in the design of
national climate policy documents, such as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), national adaptation plans (NAPs),
technology action plans (TAPs) and long-term low-emission development strategies (LT-LEDS);

We intend where applicable and appropriate to consider effective mitigation measures such as embracing sustainable
practices, adopting innovative technologies, using clean energy, enhancing energy efficiency and waste management in
tourism facilities, sustaining the conservation and health of ecosystems that serve as carbon sinks, promoting low- and
zero-emission transportation options, fostering circular approaches that promote sustainable production and consumption,
efficient resource use and minimising the risk of pollution;

We also intend where relevant to enhance adaptation measures related to tourism such as implementing nature-based
solutions, ecosystem-based approaches, restoring ecosystems, adopting innovative technologies and promoting
sustainable land management practices, with particular attention to the developing countries for which tourism represents
a significant contribution to their economies, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed
Countries (LDCs);

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We recognise the importance of finance, technology and capacity building to deliver and implement national actions to
enhance resilience and reduce GHG emissions of tourism thus contributing to Sustainable Development Goals and the
Paris Agreement;

We underscore our dedication to advancing climate action in tourism through global partnerships and dialogue,
considering the perspectives of local communities and indigenous peoples, migrants, women, children, youth, persons with
disabilities, and people in vulnerable situations;

We pledge to promote and champion sustainable tourism practices, and efforts to reduce GHG emissions in the tourism
sector and strengthen adaptation and resilience efforts within the tourism sector.

We affirm our commitment to the objectives of this Declaration and pledge to collaborate towards achieving them.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration through:

Any official written communications (letter, note verbale, etc.) to the COP29 Presidency or email to [email protected]

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Annex 10: COP29 Declaration on Water for Climate Action
We, national governments and other stakeholders, including international organisations, financial institutions,
philanthropies, private sector entities, academia, and civil society organisations;

Recognising that water is at the heart of climate change, with the majority of climate impacts being experienced worldwide
through floods, droughts, glacier mass loss, landslides, degraded water quality, water scarcity and changing water
availability, as well as other substantial changes in the water cycle at global and regional scales;

Emphasising the vital role that protecting, conserving, and restoring water resources, water basins, including seas, rivers
and lakes, groundwater and other water-related ecosystems play in delivering effective climate action for both mitigation
and adaptation;

Highlighting the critical role that the water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus plays for both climate mitigation and
adaptation, and recognising that water is truly multisectoral and cross-cutting in its nature, and that without addressing
water security within all relevant sectors, the climate and sustainable development goals will remain out of reach;

Alarmed that 2.2 billion people still do not have access to safe drinking water, and approximately half the world’s population
is currently subject to severe water scarcity with 3.5 billion lacking access to safely managed sanitation;

Concerned that one-fifth of the world’s river basins are experiencing rapid changes in the area covered by surface waters,
indicative of flooding and drought events associated with and exacerbated by climate change; glaciers have suffered the
largest mass loss in 50 years; over 90 percent of disaster-affected people and nearly 95 percent of infrastructure loss
and damage were impacted by water-related disasters; and that floods are one of the major sources of water pollution,
threatening water quality and human health and safety; and noting that these challenges are linked to the degradation of
water-related ecosystems and related biodiversity;

Acknowledging that addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts, strengthened actions, dialogue and
partnerships at international, regional, national, river and basin levels, through applicable integrated and intersectoral
approaches, as well as relevant water-related climate mitigation and adaptation actions for achieving the objective of
the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the goals of the Paris Agreement, and the objectives of the UAE
Framework for Global Climate Resilience, set out in decision 2/CMA.5 on the global goal on adaptation;

Reaffirming our respective commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris
Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the UN
Convention to Combat Desertification , the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Convention on the
Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention), as well as our collective
support for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular its Sustainable Development Goal 6 and other
related goals, the Pact for the Future and taking note of the UN 2023 Water Conference, the Water Action Agenda, United
Nations General Assembly resolution 77/334, and UN Environment Assembly Resolution 6/13;

Welcoming the ongoing efforts on the margins of previous UN Climate Change Conferences to address water-related
climate challenges and ecosystem degradation, including initiatives such as the Glasgow Partnership for Fair Water
Footprints, the Action for Water Adaptation and Resilience Initiative (AWARe), the Freshwater Challenge, and the Enhancing
Nature-based Solutions for an Accelerated Climate Transformation Partnership (ENACT), and the efforts made within the
Water for Climate Pavilion;

Seeking to increase concerted efforts to strengthen leadership and cooperation on global water security, address climate
change-induced water scarcity, water-related hazards, and disasters including water pollution, conserve, protect and
restore water resources, water basins including seas, rivers, lakes, groundwater and other water-related ecosystems,
including in the terrestrial and coastal areas adjacent to freshwater and marine environments, taking into account the
perspectives of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, children, youth, migrants, persons with disabilities, and
people in vulnerable situations.

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In fulfilling these objectives by 2030, we resolve to:

1. Promote dialogue and partnerships among countries at international, regional, river and basin levels, to:

a) Strengthen COP-to-COP synergies, continuity and coherence on water-related processes of the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification,
as well as water-related processes in the UN Climate Change platform;
b) Support the development of collaborative and aligned climate action and policy;
c) Enhance the effective implementation of water-related initiatives launched on the margins of UN Climate Change
Conferences, and coordinate with major multilateral water events, including the next UN Water Conferences in 2026 and
2028;

2. Strengthen the generation of scientific evidence on the causes and impacts of climate change on water resources,
water basins and water-related ecosystems by leveraging existing knowledge platforms, as well as considering the creation
of new regional knowledge hubs to:

a) Promote sharing of knowledge and relevant data on climate observations and research, including on water cycle, water
levels, fluctuations and depletion, as well as experiences and best practices;
b) Promote access to technology and innovations;
c) Utilise existing and, as required, develop new basin-wide climate scenarios, and climate risk and vulnerability
assessments, including strengthening relevant monitoring and data-sharing mechanisms;
d) Explore the links between conserving, protecting, restoring and sustainably managing water resources, water basins,
and water-related ecosystems and their contribution to both climate mitigation and adaptation efforts;

3. Enhance water-related climate policy actions through:

a) Effectively integrating water considerations in the design of climate policies, including national adaptation plans
(NAPs) or strategies, nationally determined contributions (NDCs), and associated implementation plans, as well as national
biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs), as appropriate, using existing tools;
b) mproving prevention, preparedness, resilience and recovery in response to water-related hazards and disasters,
in particular strengthening national and regional early warning and anticipatory action systems for drought and flood
prediction and mitigation of their impacts;
c) Addressing water challenges by 2030 through enhancing sustainable and efficient use and management of water
resources, water-related ecosystems, soil and land resources, improving environmental management, environmental
quality regulations, pollution control, water quality monitoring and analysis, and early warning and monitoring systems, and
ensuring recycling, treating, and reusing of wastewater, control on runoffs and other relevant measures;
d) Expanding the use of relevant integrated approaches such as integrated water resources management (IWRM), nature-
based solutions (NbS), ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), source-to-sea approaches and other applicable tools and
methods.

To enable the implementation of these actions we:

Launch the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action as a COP-to-COP collaboration platform for continuous and
coherent water-related climate action;

Support the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action;

Resolve to contribute to the implementation of this Declaration in line with our respective mandates;

Encourage future Presidencies to reconvene the Baku Dialogue at each UN Climate Change Conference;

Explore future pathways to bolster the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action, and enhance the implementation
of activities planned under this platform.

National governments and other stakeholders can endorse this Declaration through:

Any official written communications (letter, note verbale, etc.) to the COP29 Presidency or email to [email protected]

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