The former UN secretary general and former UN climate chief have added their names to an open letter criticising the UN COP climate talks.

The letter urges COP to be reformed, whilst saying that it has produced “important diplomatic milestones” during its 28 years including the phase out fossil fuels, ending inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies, stopping deforestation and creating carbon trading globally, the letter notes that “the framework alone is not enough to solve the problems”.

It points to the still increasing global emissions and that the current structure “simply cannot deliver the change at exponential speed and scale, which is essential to ensure a safe climate landing for humanity”.

The signatories demand a fundamental overhaul of the COP., shifting it from negotiation to implementation, enabling COP to deliver on agreed commitments and ensure the urgent energy transition and phase-out of fossil energy.

As part of a package of reforms, and one that is in the current spotlight, is the selection of COP presidencies. The current host country has angered some by overtly praising oil and gas with the president of COP29’s host country stating that oil and gas are a “gift of God”, and news that an official of Azerbaijan’s COP Presidency had been using the event to advance fossil fuel business deals.

Other proposed measures are smaller, more frequent, solution-driven meetings with reports on progress in line with the latest science, holding countries accountable for their climate targets and commitments. In terms of finance the letter calls for standardised definitions and criteria for what qualifies as climate finance, along with common reporting frameworks and tracking mechanisms to verify climate financing flows.

A greater balance and concern for wider representation are also asked for, both in terms of the effects of global climate change and who is granted access. The letter noters that 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists were granted access at COP28, more lobbyists than official representatives from scientific institutions, indigenous communities and vulnerable nations.

Signatories include Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Executive Chair of Earth4All and Global Ambassador of the Club of Rome, Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Action Research, Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Christiana Figueres, Former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland.

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