Unresolved issues around the New Collective Quantified Goals (NCQGs) took centre stage of the recently ended COP29. Imali Ngusale, UNFPA Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) reviewer and founder of the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA), voiced her concerns, stating: “COP29 is drawing to a close, but there is alot that remains unresolved! We need an ambitious #NCQG that truly meets the needs of those most affected by the climate crisis.”
Speaking in Baku, Ngusale emphasized the urgency for a robust NCQG framework that prioritizes the needs of vulnerable communities. The NCQG, anchored in Article 2 of the Paris Agreement, aims to cap global temperature rises at 1.5°C, enhance resilience to climate impacts, and align financial flows with sustainable development, all while safeguarding food security.
Adding his voice to the conversation, Emmanuel Lekishon, a UNFPA Youth Champion from Kenya and ACHCGA co-founder, highlighted the stakes for frontline communities. He stated: “My community remains at the frontlines of climate disaster, and the NCQG deliberations could be our last hope.”
The NCQG holds transformative potential, but its realization faces significant hurdles. Among these are the lack of global consensus and the chronic shortfall in financing commitments. These gaps not only undermine the Paris Agreement’s objectives but also exacerbate the vulnerabilities of those living at the intersection of climate change and socioeconomic inequities.
ACHCGA has consistently called for actionable deliverables at COPs, with a focus on equity in climate financing, clear roadmaps for implementation, and grassroots participation in decision-making. “The success of the NCQG will depend on whether it reflects the realities and aspirations of those most affected by climate change,” Ngusale reiterated.
As COP29 concludes, ACHCGA remains steadfast in advocating for climate justice and ambitious NCQGs, urging states to bridge divides and deliver solutions that resonate with those bearing the brunt of the climate crisis.