The small island nation of Cabo Verde faces unique and urgent challenges related to climate change. Made up of ten volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Cabo Verde is on the front line of the consequences of climate change, from rising sea levels to the intensification of extreme weather events. In this context, climate diplomacy plays a crucial role in the search for global and local solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change and promote sustainable adaptation.

Despite its modest geographical dimensions, Cabo Verde is one of the nations most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels threaten our coastal communities, and food security is constantly challenged by water scarcity. To meet these challenges, Cabo Verde has implemented a series of innovative and sustainable projects, such as the construction of desalination plants, which have been instrumental in providing drinking water to our populations. In addition, rainwater harvesting and storage projects have been promoted on several islands, allowing for better management of available water resources.

Climate initiatives in Cabo Verde cover all of its islands, with special attention to the most vulnerable, such as Santiago, Santo Antão and Fogo. Recognising the urgency of the situation, both rural and urban areas are the target of specific mitigation and adaptation efforts. The implementation of effective and sustainable strategies is essential to ensure that Cabo Verde can face climate challenges in a resilient manner, ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for all its inhabitants.

Cabo Verde has shown leadership in climate diplomacy, actively collaborating with international partners and global organisations to promote robust and effective climate action. Our participation in international forums and adherence to environmental agreements reinforce Cabo Verde’s commitment to a more sustainable planet. Through a holistic and inclusive approach, we are determined to turn climate challenges into opportunities for sustainable development and improved quality of life for our citizens.

Internationally, Cabo Verde actively participates in global conferences and treaties, such as the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP), the Subsidiary Sessions (SBs), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. These events represent key areas for global climate diplomacy.

The country has shown an admirable commitment to the fight against climate change, especially in the COP discussions, which have been truly inspiring. It has excelled in focusing on adaptation and resilience measures, with a significant increase in funding and technical support for programmes aimed at adaptation and building resilience. Despite its low greenhouse gas emissions, Cabo Verde actively promotes the use of renewable energies and energy efficiency. These commitments not only reflect the country’s determination to meet its climate goals, but also serve as catalysts for concrete action throughout the archipelago.

Cabo Verde’s participation in COP28 was important in strengthening the voice of island developing states, emphasising the urgency of decisive action to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The country is committed to implementing the Paris Agreement, emphasising the need for financial and technological support to achieve its emissions reduction and climate change adaptation goals.

Mobilising resources is crucial to dealing with climate change, as adequate funding makes it possible to implement mitigation and adaptation measures. At various COP meetings, the topic of climate finance has been widely debated, with the aim of finding ways to increase the resources available to developing countries. One of the main issues discussed is the need to fulfil the commitment to mobilise billions / trillions of dollars to support climate action in these countries. In addition, the mobilisation of resources involves the creation of innovative financial mechanisms, such as the Green Climate Fund, which seeks to support developing countries in implementing mitigation and adaptation measures. Other sources of funding include the carbon market, where companies can buy and sell carbon credits to offset their emissions, and bilateral and multilateral co-operation, where countries commit to providing financial assistance to the most vulnerable countries.

The 60th session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) provided a crucial platform for the discussion and development of key issues related to global climate action. The meeting highlighted the need to effectively address the discrepancies between the financial commitments made and the real adaptation and mitigation needs, especially for developing countries like Cabo Verde. During COP28, there was a renewal of the signatory states’ commitments to increase their emission reduction targets and mobilise climate finance. However, the 60th session of the SBs brought to light the persistent concern about the gap between pledged resources and the urgent needs of the most vulnerable countries. In this context, developing countries took the opportunity to defend their priorities, emphasising the importance of adequate funding for adaptation, technology transfer and capacity building.

The SB 60 Conference focused on the Global Balance Sheet, adaptation, climate finance, the carbon market, mitigation, just transition, loss and damage, and transparency.

Some of the most important themes included:

Implementation of the Paris Agreement: There were detailed debates on how countries are meeting their commitments under the Paris Agreement. This included analyses of the progress reports submitted and a review of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). There was general recognition of the need to accelerate efforts to meet the targets set out in the Agreement, especially in light of recent extreme weather events around the world.

Climate finance: One of the most debated points was the New Quantified Collective Climate Finance Target (NCQG). Discussions on this topic did not progress significantly, with many countries expressing concerns about the lack of progress in mobilising financial resources to support climate mitigation and adaptation actions in developing countries. The need for greater transparency and accountability in climate finance was emphasised, with calls for developed countries to fulfil their pledges to provide $100 billion a year by 2025.

Market mechanisms: Negotiations on Article 6 have been complex, with countries debating issues such as environmental integrity, carbon market governance and guaranteeing benefits for sustainable development.

Adaptation: Debate on how countries are adapting to the impacts of climate change, including issues of financing, technology transfer and capacity building.

Transparency and accountability: Discussion on how countries are reporting their greenhouse gas emissions and climate actions, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Loss and damage: Discussion on how to deal with the loss and damage caused by climate change, especially in vulnerable countries facing severe impacts.

The topics discussed in various sessions and working groups were aimed at making progress in the global climate negotiations and ensuring the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement. Unfortunately, many of these issues did not move forward, indicating that they will be discussed at COP29.

Some outstanding issues include:

Climate Finance: Address the fulfilment of developed countries’ commitments to provide $100 billion a year in climate finance to developing countries. Define how the resources are being allocated and used, finalise the document for adoption, and decide whether the resources come from the public or private sector. It is also necessary to define the new financing target.

Carbon Market: Definition of co-operative approaches and structure of ITMOs, as well as additional guidance to the Article 6.4 mechanism.

Loss and Damage: Review of the Warsaw Mechanism and strengthening of the Loss and Damage Response Fund.

Mitigation: Discussions on integrating the results of the GST into future MWP planning and preparing the new NDCs.

Adaptation Indicators: Refining and mapping indicators to measure progress in climate adaptation.

The 60th session of the Subsidiary Bodies was a significant milestone in promoting climate diplomacy and defending the interests of countries like Cabo Verde. The discussions highlighted the urgency of tackling complex issues and establishing effective mechanisms for implementing the Paris Agreement.

The organisation of COP29 will be key to driving these discussions forward and setting a clear course for global climate action.

Author

Andrea Lucy Moreira Martins,
TEC. of the Resource Mobilisation Service Ministry of Finance and Business Development