COP 29: A key moment for our international work

Nautilus head of international relations Danny McGowan explains the recent COP negotiations from the perspective of trade unions with members in the transport sector

We often hear about ‘COP,’ but what does it actually mean? COP stands for the Conference of the Parties, and often refers to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Late in 2024, COP 29 took place in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Those of you who followed the outcomes will have seen that a new climate finance goal was agreed, through which developing countries will see their financing increased from US$100 billion annually to US$300 billion annually by 2035, in the form of grants and low-interest loans. The new goal also secured efforts to scale up financing from public and private sources to US$1.3 trillion per year.

Through the Nautilus Federation’s Mapping Our Maritime Future report, we are highlighting the necessity for the transition to net zero shipping to be fair – in other words, a Just Transition.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) was present at the most recent COP summit, supported by affiliates including Brazilian maritime affiliate CONTTMAF – Brazil is the host of COP30, which will take place in 2025.

The involvement of maritime unions – including Nautilus – in environmental matters is essential. Our industry is leading the global charge to reduce our impact on the environment, and through the Nautilus Federation’s Mapping Our Maritime Future report, we are highlighting the necessity for the transition to net zero shipping to be fair – in other words, a Just Transition.

I recently presented this report to representatives of the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) and the European Commission, ensuring that both organisations are aware of the Federation’s work in this area. At present there is no other international research that enables us to authoritatively insert the seafarer’s voice into this work.

Under the Paris Agreement, achieved at COP 21 in 2015, the parties to the agreement are required to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to tackle climate change. Of the submitted NDCs, two-thirds do not reference a Just Transition, and while 20% refer to transport workers, maritime is generally overlooked.

It is essential, therefore, that Nautilus continues to use the outcomes of the Mapping Our Maritime Future report to ensure that no-one is left behind in the Just Transition in maritime, and that we continue to work with the ITF to develop this work for maritime professionals.