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Peace Boat participates in COP29
Peace Boat is participating in the United Nations Climate Change Conference, the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP 29), to the UNFCCC in Baku, Azerbaijan this November 11-22 when world leaders will negotiate and advocate for climate action. Working in solidarity with those on the front lines of the climate crisis. Peace Boat will organize, along with several civil society groups and international partners, a number of side events advocating for urgent climate action with a focus on youth engagement and capacity building.
Peace Boat is part of the Peace and Demilitarization Working Group for Climate Justice, Peace Boat, a cross-constituency working group hosted by the Women and Gender Constituency (WGC), one of the nine stakeholder groups of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Azerbaijan, the host of this year’s climate summit, has declared that COP29 will be a “COP of peace” and has called on states to “transcend political challenges” and commit to a truce during the month of COP29. Together with other peace organizations, Peace Boat will highlight the intersections between the climate crisis and militarism in particular military emissions, the need to divest from military spending and invest in climate finance and the impact on frontline communities.
Our events include:
Saturday, 16 November 15:00 - 16:30, Side-event Room 9
Highlighting partnerships and cooperation across sectors, the event will illustrate the contribution of renewable energy and solar power to climate mitigation with diverse examples from community projects, government-led initiatives and decarbonization of the maritime industry. Peace Boat’s Founder and Director Yoshioka Tatsuya will present the Ecoship Project.
A COP of Peace: Addressing Militarism for Climate Justice in the Pacific
Saturday, 16 November, 16:00 - 16:50, Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion
Military emissions account for an estimated 5.5% of global emissions, but military emissions are not required to be included in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), impacting transparency. In 2023, global military spending reached $2.44 trillion, with the increase in military spending alone at double the $100 billion climate finance goal. Reallocating resources from military spending would allow financial obligations for Loss and Damage to be fulfilled. The Pacific, which has long suffered from the impacts of militarism and the nuclear legacy, continues to endure these effects today, which are closely linked to the climate crisis. The side event will explore the intersections between peace, demilitarization, and climate justice from a Pacific perspective.
Press Conference: COP of Peace - Demilitarize for Climate Justice
Saturday, 16 November, 17:30 - 18:00, Press Conference 2, Area C, Blue Zone
COP29 has been named the "COP of Peace," with the host calling for a truce among nations and urging them to "transcend political challenges." Global militaries contribute around 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making them the hypothetical “fourth largest emitter,” yet they remain exempt from climate agreements. With military spending at a record $2.44 trillion USD and climate finance still underfunded, this session will call for reallocating military budgets to support a just climate transition. Experts and frontline voices will highlight the link between militarism and the climate crisis, showing why accountability for military emissions and prioritizing peace are essential to climate justice.
ACE and Capacity Building for Youth Leadership: Needs, Gaps and Opportunities
Tuesday, 19 November, Side Event Room 9, 15:00 - 16:30
A discussion on the current state of Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) implementation in the context of the ACE Action Plan and annual ACE summary report, showcasing concrete examples of capacity building for youth empowerment and leadership.
A full list of events can be found here