Various climate-related events will take place on the fifth day of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Blue Zone Events
The COP29 Blue Zone commences its activities by organizing a signing ceremony for the “Solar Project” at the Port of Baku, according to the COP29 website.
Additionally, the COP29 presidency will organize a high-level panel on climate and peace, titled "Enabling Joint Action to Leave No One Behind."
In collaboration with the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the presidency will hold a ministerial meeting on energy initiatives. This meeting will witness the announcement of the COP29 Green Energy Zones and Corridors Pledge, the COP29 Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge, and the COP29 Hydrogen Declaration.
Promoting Climate Action
Another session, titled "Mobilizing Law Enforcement for Enhanced Climate Action," will focus on empowering law enforcement to protect biodiversity and combat environmental crimes such as illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, and marine pollution. It aims to strengthen law enforcement capacity by enhancing international cooperation, improving legal frameworks, and integrating justice systems into biodiversity and climate agendas.
Clean Cooking
A session named "Making 2024 the Pivotal Year for Clean Cooking" will also be organized by the COP29 Presidency in collaboration with various partners. This session will explore the challenges posed by polluting cooking fuels like charcoal, wood, and kerosene. Speakers will discuss the health, environmental, and gender equality impacts of clean cooking. It will highlight the benefits of adopting clean cooking methods and showcase global success stories featuring various clean fuels and technologies.
The Blue Zone will conclude the fifth day with the “COP29 Energy Transition Investment Forum for Central Asia,” organized by the COP29 Presidency in partnership with the COP28 Presidency, the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Green Zone Events
In the Green Zone, events will kick off with a panel discussion organized by the American magazine Newsweek, titled "Pillars of the Green Transition." This panel will address key climate issues and the impact of global warming. Newsweek’s Pillars of the Green Transition series brings together leading voices in sustainability, science, and clean technology to identify and explain emerging trends in the climate challenge.
The third edition of Pillars of the Green Transition will explore the global rise of clean manufacturing, the renewable energy rush and innovative approaches to not only cut carbon pollution but also grow nature-based solutions
Meanwhile, the International Eurasia Press Fund and Roots for Peace Organization will organize a panel discussion titled "Restoring Peace, Land, and Ecosystems through Demining and Agriculture." This event seeks to highlight successful collaborations in landmine clearance and agricultural development, presenting these efforts as scalable models for integrating post-conflict recovery with environmental sustainability.
Green Growth Portal
On the sidelines of COP29 in the Green Zone, the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan will launch the Green Growth Portal, a web tool designed to assist countries in identifying their best green growth opportunities. It will provide guidance to policymakers on developing these opportunities. It will be integrated into the Atlas of Economic Complexity, leveraging its coverage of 250 countries and economic regions and its over 1.7 million users.
The Green Growth Portal will apply these same frameworks to the global energy transition and incorporate the technologies, inputs, and supply chains that the world needs to decarbonize
Investing in Renewable Energy
The Azerbaijan Green Energy Company is set to organize a session titled “Renewable Energy Investment: Pathways to a Sustainable Future.” This panel discussion will highlight the importance of attracting investments in renewable energy infrastructure, discuss the regulatory and financial frameworks needed to support these investments, and explore the potential impact on energy security and economic growth in the region.
Additionally, the Green Zone will host a session titled “Empowering the Transition: Financing Tomorrow’s Energy Today.” To effectively address climate change, it is crucial to transition to a low-carbon energy sector as soon as possible. The energy transition would bring further socio-economic benefits, including increased economic growth, job creation and overall welfare gains.
Green Cities
The COP will explore global pathways to green cities and coastal areas through a panel discussion. This session will outline a vision for ocean health, climate resilience, and social justice.
Climate and Conflict
In a panel discussion titled “Climate and Conflict,” the COP will address the profound ways in which warfare impedes efforts to combat climate change. With global military expenditures reaching $2.4 trillion last year, the diversion of critical resources starkly contrasts with the persistent underfunding of essential climate initiatives. The panel will delve into the far-reaching consequences of conflict, from the destruction of cities and infrastructure to the decimation of farmland, biodiversity, and human life.
Moreover, the Business Council for Sustainable Energy will host a panel titled “Advancing the Energy Transition Towards 2030: Finance, Technology, and People.” This discussion will bring together industry leaders and partners to identify strategies needed to ensure that the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) align with the 1.5°C target and achieve near-term goals for 2030. They include policy frameworks, financing models, workforce development and community engagement strategies.
Climate Migrants
The Green Zone will conclude its activities with a performance titled “We Are the Possible – Bright Light Burning.” This performance follows a family of climate migrants living in 2100. While the world has changed, human needs remain constant. During the performance, the audience will witness how these descendants have discovered new ways to cherish and care for each other, all while recounting the history of their ancestors’ choices over the 77 years that separate them from us.
