Good COP, Bad COP – Opinions Split on Practicality of Relying on Renewable Energy Source

Date: 12/12/24

As the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, better known as COP29,  drew to a fractious close, opinion was split on the effectiveness of the talks and the commitment to a renewable energy source.

While agreement was finally reached between the 200 nations, and the richer nations did promise vast sums in investment, the talks were described as ‘the worst COP in a decade’. Going even further, former UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon and several other high-profile colleagues described the whole COP process as ‘no longer fit for purpose’.

What was agreed at COP29?

The headline figure from the talks was a contribution of $300 billion per year from developed nations by 2035. This money will be aimed at assisting developing nations to move away from fossil fuels and utilising a renewable energy source. It will also be used to help them deal with the impacts of climate change.

Countries were keen to agree a long-term deal before known climate-denier, Donald Trump, arrives in the Whitehouse in January. However, the deal was only agreed at the very last minute – well, actually 33 hours after the last minute – after many of the poorer nations had threatened to walk out.

What was the problem?

$300 billion to help move towards a renewable energy source may sound like a lot of money, and it is a significant increase on the existing $100 billion deal. However, for many it simply wasn’t enough. Developing nations were hoping for a figure closer to $1.3 trillion.

India described it as ‘abysmally poor’ and ‘a paltry sum’, the African group described it as ‘too little, too late’, and the Asia Society Policy Group called it ‘a flawed compromise’. Greenpeace agreed, calling the sum ‘woefully inadequate’, while WaterAid went even further, describing it as a ‘death sentence for millions’.

Unfortunately, many nations were not prepared to agree a higher figure, as they feel that the Trump administration will not contribute, leaving them to make up the difference. At the same time, many poorer nations felt compelled to agree to a lower number, well aware that with Trump’s arrival they may not get the chance to negotiate a better deal for many years to come.

You don’t need billions

Fortunately, your business doesn’t need billions of dollars to make the transition to renewable energy sources. In fact, you can help save the planet and money simultaneously thanks to reduced operating costs – and you don’t need to stay up until 3AM to reach a climate friendly agreement.

Whatever the size, scope or duration of your project, the Think Hire team will show you how easily you can power it without depending on fossil fuels, and without creating greenhouse gas emissions. By combining site generator hire with convenient distribution points like electric vehicle and plant charging points, and using tool charging stations with their own renewable energy source, you can make the move to cleaner, greener energy quickly and easily with no impact on your operating efficiency.

What’s the point?

We’re often asked what’s the point of individual operators switching to renewable power sources for their site generator hire. And when you see the chaos of COP, it’s no surprise. But as one scientist at COP pointed out, every fraction of a degree of global warming is worth fighting against, and every one of us needs to take action if things are to change.

Emissions need to fall by 42% by the end of this decade to avoid exceeding a 1.5°C global temperature rise, but they have actually increased by 1% since the last COP meeting. We all need to decide if we want to be part of the rise or contribute to the fall.

To find out how your company can be a ‘good COP’ in the climate fight through switching to site generator hire that uses a renewable energy source, open your own negotiations with Think Hire today.

View all Think Hire news