Paul Watkinson

Working for years on international climate issues. My optimism (and sometimes frustration) engage only myself. 100ppm rise in CO2 concentrations over my life :(

[Paul Watkinson @pwatkinson]

For the first time in a quarter of a century I do not expect to participate in the COP this year. My thoughts are with friends and colleagues from many countries who will be at COP29, working to find ways forward to strengthen our collective action to deal with climate change.

[Friends of Europe @FriendsofEurope]

🌍@pwatkinson, Paris Agreement climate negotiator, at today’s #StateOfEU calls for more follow-through on climate pledges and explores how cooperation can strengthen action.

❝The Paris Agreement must not be a box-ticking exercise but a learning experience on how everyone can do better. We need to think about how we can work together to do more.❞

[Friends of Europe @FriendsofEurope]

@pwatkinson @mfespinosaEC @GWLvoices @PlanAearth @Green_Got_ 💬@pwatkinson calls for sustained action towards climate goals. #StateOfEU

❝It’s not just about announcements, it’s about delivery. We now have the challenge of making these climate agreements meaningful.❞

[Paul Watkinson @pwatkinson]

Parabéns, good luck to André Corrêa do Lago ! A great choice to lead COP30, a huge challenge ahead.

[Lula @LulaOficial]

A COP30, que acontece este ano em Belém, terá como presidente André Corrêa do Lago, atual Secretário de Clima, Energia e Meio Ambiente do @ItamaratyGovBr, e como diretora executiva (CEO), Ana Toni, que atualmente é Secretária Nacional de Mudança do Clima do @mmeioambiente. Sejam bem-vindos! Faremos uma COP30 histórica por um futuro mais justo e sustentável para o nosso planeta.

📸 @ricardostuckert

[Paul Watkinson @pwatkinson]

But above all we need to improve the action agenda that now takes so much space around the COP – it has huge potential so long as it can be better coordinated between presidencies, ensure follow-up, and reduce the number of events that are driven more by communication objectives

[Paul Watkinson @pwatkinson]

There are moments when it might be tempting to give in to despair. 2024 was the warmest year on record, the first time we have seen the global average temperature go more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. https://t.co/F9XAZIH2os

[Paul Watkinson @pwatkinson]

We can improve the multilateral climate process – negotiations are messy, overloaded, and often fails to deliver.

[Paul Watkinson @pwatkinson]

COP29 was not perfect, far from it, but it was not the end but the starting point for the next round of strengthening action and delivery. The incoming Brazilian presidency of COP30 has a heavy task ahead

[Paul Watkinson @pwatkinson]

My reaction to COP29? A mix of relief and frustration. Relief that the process did not collapse, that important results were finalised, including on finance and carbon markets. Multilateralism is shaky but continues to function.

[Paul Watkinson @pwatkinson]

The Baku to Belém Roadmap to 1.3T may be little more than words on a page at the moment, but it needs intense follow-up to ensure that support is mobilised and delivered, work to strengthen the support provided by the MDBs, and to develop innovative financing.