Tens of thousands of officials and climate activists will gather for the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22. Each year, the conference adopts various pledges, plans, and documents, making it challenging to keep track of the discussions.
Here’s what you need to know about the conference:
Why is the conference held annually?
Climate change affects all countries, regardless of their contributions to the problem, necessitating global solutions that address diverse needs. When the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed in 1992, it set the stage for global negotiations. The parties made significant efforts to differentiate between the wealthy countries that contribute the majority of global warming and the poorer countries that suffer disproportionately as a result.
This framework asserts that countries that have benefited most from industrialization should bear the greatest responsibility for addressing global warming. This imbalance has become increasingly difficult to manage as developing economies have grown and wealthy countries have obscured the costs of various issues, including war.
What could the conference achieve each year?
The conference serves as a platform for countries to discuss solutions related to energy policies, financing plans, and funding needs. World leaders typically attend these conferences, signalling their countries' commitment to the goals of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Their presence also holds each country accountable for previous promises and commitments.
However, the annual conference is just one part of an ongoing process. Throughout the year, country representatives meet to promote new proposals for climate action, which can then be agreed upon by consensus at the next conference.
Does it pay off?
Each conference aims to advance global climate action from the previous year, offering countries a chance to demonstrate to their citizens that the issue is being addressed. These efforts require countries to account for and report their emissions, while also contributing hundreds of billions of dollars in climate-related aid to developing nations.
By requiring consensus, the process garners strong global support for agreed actions, which enhances the chances of successful implementation. However, the pace of progress remains too slow to halt the rise in global temperatures. Since COPs began in 1995, emissions and temperatures have continued to rise, showing that the world is moving toward extreme climate change.
Advocates of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change argue that negotiating significant societal and economic changes is essential to limit global warming.
What are the expected outcomes of COP29?
This year’s summit aims to reach several important agreements, including a new annual climate finance target, a framework for operating multilateral carbon credit markets, and a pledge for increased financial assistance to countries already affected by costly climate disasters. Additionally, negotiators plan to continue developing technical agreements that build on past accomplishments.
On the sidelines of the conference, groups of countries might launch their own initiatives or pledge funding for specific projects. Businesses are likely to announce commercial deals related to climate action, while financiers seek to raise money for climate-related investments.
What is Azerbaijan’s role at COP29?
This year, Azerbaijan holds the presidency of COP29, following the transfer of the rotating presidency to Central and Eastern Europe. Next year, Brazil will host COP30. As the host, Azerbaijan is responsible for guiding negotiations leading up to the summit and encouraging other governments to take ambitious action, making the presidency a crucial role in setting the summit's priorities.
What else happens at COP?
In addition to negotiations between countries, the summit provides a platform for various stakeholders to draw attention to issues and seek funding. Hundreds of events on the sidelines facilitate dialogue among activists, scientists, climate change advocates, and senior banking officials. The conference also features public panel discussions on topics ranging from ocean acidification to carbon offset design. Discussions led by delegations from countries, organizations, and non-profit institutions take place in the exhibition halls known as the Green Zone.
