COP29 Media Update: Quo Vadis COP?

With ecbi set to publish an update to its 2021 report Quo Vadis COP? Future Arrangements for Intergovernmental Meetings under the UNFCCC – Settled and Fit for Purpose, many prominent people that are or have been involved in the climate process have signed onto a Club of Rome letter calling for reform to the COP process. Signatories include former UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon, former UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, and former EU Commissioner Connie Hedegaard, among many others, with ecbi Director Benito Müller signing on as a supporter. The letter, dated 15 November 2024, is directed to Parties to the Convention, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and questions whether the current climate process is fit for purpose. In light of this letter and other voices, including ecbi’s, calling for the reform of the COP given its increase in size and plethora of activities, many news organisations have been picking up on the issue. Below are links to the letter and some of the recent articles on whether the COP is still fit for purpose or should pursue alternative ways of organising itself in order to advance progress on reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement and combating climate change.