Oil Change International Media Advisory – COP29 Day 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 11, 2024

Contact: 

Nicole Rodel, Oil Change International (in Baku) – [email protected] / +27842570627 

Valentina Stackl, Oil Change International (ET – remote) – [email protected] +17342766260

Oil Change International Media Advisory – COP29 Day 1

As COP29 opens, all eyes are on the critical negotiations for a new climate finance goal (NCQG). Following the historic COP28 agreement to transition away from fossil fuels, success at COP29 hinges on rich countries agreeing to provide at least $1 trillion annually in grants, not loans, to support Global South countries in implementing climate action. With Trump’s election casting a shadow over U.S. climate commitments, other global powers including the EU, UK, Australia, and emerging economies like Brazil have an opportunity to step forward and maintain momentum on climate action.

Follow along for the most important events, press conferences, and developments on Day 1 of COP29, where negotiations begin amid geopolitical shifts and critical decisions on climate finance, fossil fuel phaseout, and U.S. climate policy.

This media advisory outlines: 

• Today’s key events:

• • • Press conference: 14:30 PM – What Trump’s Re-Election Means for COP29 (more below)
    • Press Conference: 17:00 PM- Troika Triple Threat: COP Hosts’ Oil & Gas Expansion (more below)
    • Side event: 11:30 AM-13:00 PM Solutions For Our Climate- Public Finance event (Asia Climate Solutions Pavilion, Area E, Pavilion D6A)
    • Action: Palestine solidarity action, 1:30 PM Action Zone 4 (COP29 Climate Justice Coalition) 

• Tomorrow’s key events (November 12): 

• • • Press Conference: 09:00 AM – We Can Pay For It: Financing A Just Transition

• Upcoming media reactives:

• • Article 6.4: Supervisory Body takes unprecedented step of “finalizing” its standards on methodologies and removal activities and claimed they immediately took effect – bypassing countries’ approval, and asking Parties today to gavel it through without any negotiations
  • Reactive to press conference: U.S. Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta
  • November 12: The Court of Appeal in The Hague will deliver its judgment in Shell’s appeal of the ruling from Milieudefensie’s successful 2021 climate lawsuit. Since the ruling, OCI research shows Shell has flagrantly expanded oil and gas despite orders to align its plans with what is required to curb the climate crisis. OCI experts available for interview.

What Trump’s Re-Election Means for COP29

​​U.S. and global climate advocates will hold a press conference to address Trump’s re-election and its implications for climate action, emphasizing that while Trump’s return poses challenges, renewable energy momentum is unstoppable and the climate movement is stronger and better prepared than in 2016. Speakers will outline immediate actions the Biden administration must take in its remaining months and strategies for continued climate progress despite U.S. political shifts.
When: Monday, Nov. 11, 14:30 p.m. to 15:00 p.m. local time

Where: COP29 Press Conference 2, Area C, Press 2

Statement:
Allie Rosenbluth, Oil Change International US Campaign Manager, said:
“Trump’s reelection is a stark reminder that we cannot waste a single day in the fight for climate justice. President Biden still has critical opportunities to cement his climate legacy and protect communities from deadly fossil fuel expansion. Biden must use his remaining months in office to reject pending fossil fuel permits, support an ambitious climate finance goal of at least $1 trillion of public money at COP29, put forward a bold draft climate target that commits to a just transition off fossil fuels, and commit to ending $41 billion in oil and gas international export finance at the OECD next week. While Trump will soon be in the White House again, he cannot stop the global momentum toward a fossil-free future. The climate movement is stronger and better prepared than we were in 2016, and we will continue fighting at every level – from local communities to international negotiations – to protect our shared future.”

Troika Triple Threat: COP Hosts’ Oil & Gas Expansion

Oil Change International joins NGO partners LINGO, Observatório do Clima, and Urgewald to expose how the COP Troika nations (Brazil, UAE, and Azerbaijan) are undermining their climate leadership roles through massive fossil fuel expansion plans. New analysis reveals these nations plan to increase oil and gas production by 32% by 2035, directly threatening the 1.5°C temperature limit they are meant to champion as COP presidents. The briefing will spotlight how national oil companies ADNOC, SOCAR, and Petrobras are involved in 17 major carbon bomb projects, demonstrating the urgent need for COP presidencies to lead by example in ending fossil fuel expansion.

When Monday, Nov. 11, 17:00 local time
Where COP29 Press Conference – Natavan, Area D – UNFCCC Livestream Link
Statement: 

Romain Ioualalen, Oil Change International Global Policy Manager, said:

“The COP Troika could prove valuable if it catalyses more ambitious policies to limit warming to 1.5°C. However, expanding fossil fuel production is fundamentally incompatible with an ambition to submit ‘1.5-aligned Nationally Determined Contributions’ (NDCs). Such actions are not only hypocritical but also set a dangerous precedent for other nations, undermining global efforts to address climate change. The Troika can’t have it both ways. It’s time to choose: fossil fuel expansion or a livable future. The world is watching.”

Spokespeople and areas of focus

At COP29, reach out to us to connect with spokespeople to cover: 

• • Financing a just transition: NCQG, fossil fuel subsidies and finance, financial architecture reform, Clean Energy Transition Partnership, Global Clean Power Alliance, OECD, MDB and G20 finance announcements.
  • Fossil fuel phaseout: Troika fossil fuel expansion, Nationally Determined Contributions, diplomacy and negotiations, abatement, hypocrisy via oil and gas expansion, 1.5ºC scenarios
  • Industry and False Solutions: Industry pledges, Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter, IEA / WEO, CCS, False Solutions Subsidies, Kick Polluters Out
  • United States: U.S. Election, U.S. fair share NDC, LNG, certified gas, U.S. subsidies, U.S. Congress
  • Africa: Resistance to oil and gas in Africa, oil and gas expansion in Africa

OCI will have spokespeople available on the ground at COP29 for interviews and press panels, as well as representatives in alternative timezones for those journalists not in attendance in Baku.