BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The implementation of NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) requires the securement of energy resources for the transition to "green" energy, which often requires significant water resources, the director of WMO, Stefan Uhlenbrook said at the COP29 high-level roundtable themed "Water for Climate: Integrating Water Solutions into NDCs and NAPs Biodiversity, Water and Climate Nexus" today, TurkicWorld reports.
"In addition, carbon footprint reduction and sequestration actions under NDCs are also often linked to intensive water use," he said.
According to him, 33 years of data were analyzed and the results were combined into a single ensemble. Advanced operational hydrological models were used in the analysis.
"The global map shows that 2023 was drier than the average of the previous 30 years. For instance, water levels in the Caspian Sea continued to decline and the Greater Horn of Africa Basin experienced a severe drought, causing population migration and a food crisis. However, changes in atmospheric conditions later brought significant rainfall to the region.
Our analysis demonstrates how changes in global precipitation and atmospheric circulation are reflected in flux dynamics. These data are key to developing adaptation plans and strategies within NDCs.
Drought conditions have also affected reservoir water levels. Global data indicate that inflows to large reservoirs were below average, posing serious challenges for water management," he added.
To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.
Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - was held on November 12–13.
The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 Presidency has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.
In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5°C pledge by bringing everyone together.
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for "Conference of Parties" and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.
