Road to Baku: The World Unites for COP29

The upcoming COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, marks an important moment for global climate action. This event is scheduled from November 11 to 22, 2024, and is more than a routine gathering of leaders and climate advocates. It’s a high-stakes opportunity for countries to push the boundaries of their climate commitments, assess their progress, and set a clear path forward in the face of intensifying climate threats.

COP29 follows a decades-long tradition of climate summits organized by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These conferences have seen milestones, most notably the 2015 Paris Agreement, which set ambitious temperature goals to keep global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius.

Yet, as we approach COP29, it’s becoming clear that our current commitments don’t yet match the urgency of the climate crisis. The conference in Baku aims to change that by focusing on some of the most pressing issues the world faces today.

One of the central goals of COP29 will be to assess how far countries have come in meeting their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the climate action plans each country submits. This is not just a box-ticking exercise; it’s a moment of reckoning. Countries will scrutinize their progress and be challenged to see if their efforts are putting the world on track to meet climate targets.

But strengthening commitments is only part of the agenda. COP29 will also take on the issue of climate finance. For years, developed countries have promised to mobilize $100 billion annually to support climate action in developing nations. However, these promises have fallen short. This year, Baku will serve as the backdrop for intense negotiations aimed at unlocking this funding and exploring innovative new sources.

COP29 will also focus on the concept of loss and damage, which has become increasingly urgent as climate-driven disasters impact more communities. Loss and damage refer to the irreversible harm caused by extreme weather events and rising sea levels, which hit developing countries the hardest. In Baku, countries will work to expand the Loss and Damage Fund, which was created to address these challenges, but needs additional resources and clear guidelines to make a real difference. As more countries experience climate-related losses, establishing a robust fund is becoming an undeniable priority.

Innovation and technology transfer will also be in the spotlight. For many nations, especially in the developing world, access to clean technologies is the key to a sustainable future. COP29 aims to enhance partnerships that make green technology affordable and accessible, accelerating the shift to cleaner energy systems, sustainable agriculture, and climate-resilient infrastructure. By empowering developing countries with technology, COP29 seeks to level the playing field, enabling all nations to take meaningful action against climate change.

What sets this COP apart from others is its emphasis on inclusivity. From youth activists and indigenous leaders to environmental organizations and civil society groups, COP29 is committed to giving a voice to those most affected by climate change. This approach acknowledges that effective climate solutions require diverse perspectives, especially from communities on the front lines of the crisis.

As countries prepare to gather in Baku, COP29 is set to be a defining chapter in the story of global climate action. With the world’s attention on Azerbaijan, the conference has the potential to accelerate progress and inspire deeper commitments. The choices made at COP29 could shape the trajectory of climate efforts for years to come, reinforcing the idea that the future of our planet is, quite literally, in our hands.