Author: Rachel Weaver

As COP29 in Baku came to a close this past weekend, and as I, like many others, reflect on our time there, I have mixed emotions. It was incredible to be in rooms and meetings where key discussions and moments of progress occurred. It was inspiring to witness the passion and commitment of so many diverse voices and groups working toward climate solutions around the world. Yet, the final results coming out of COP29 have left some advocates with a sense of disappointment and confusion. It’s understandable, that as our world inches closer and closer to going over the 1.5°C limit, our minds grapple with the feeling of both optimism and pessimism. 

The vast, ambitious, and transformative changes and finance deals that many had hoped for, did not occur at the level at which was needed. The lack of a clear commitment to climate finance and the slow pace of negotiations were notable points of frustration for both observers and negotiators alike. There is a sense of disappointment around the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, which has left developing countries still waiting for increased support to help mitigate and adapt to climate change. These major negotiation topics of COP29 all feel like missed opportunities, and perhaps there truly is a disconnect between the urgency we feel and the pace of global negotiations.

Regardless, COP29’s outcomes don’t mean that all hope is lost. COP29 may not have produced all the progressive results many had hoped for, but the process itself of these negotiations is still vital. Every COP is a part of a larger effort to create meaningful agreements. Even outside of negotiation room doors, the networking and building of new coalitions are still crucial steps toward lasting change and action. I believe incremental progress is more important than we realize. 

The challenges seen at COP29 underscore the need for renewed commitment to climate action. It’s a reminder that action toward combating climate change cannot succeed without acknowledging and addressing the needs of those most affected by the crisis. Moving forward, our climate action must be coupled with social and economic justice. 

Despite the setbacks, COP29 still gave me opportunities for hope and provided a unique forum for addressing global climate challenges. COP29 celebrated the first submissions of Biennial Transparency Reports under the Paris Agreements, beginning a brand new chapter of global climate transparency. A coalition for health-climate action was formed at COP29, which will foster increased movement to health-resilient climate policies. COP29 provided lessons in the increasing empowerment of grassroots movements and local leadership, the importance of technological innovation and collaboration, and why we hold governments accountable. No matter the frustration from the COP29 results, individuals, organizations, governments, and the private sector coming together is never a waste of time. We now know what work lies ahead of us. The next COP, the next round of negotiations, and the next movement are each an opportunity to turn our disappointment and frustration into action. Moving forward, we are unified in knowing that the future of climate action is one of ambition and results.

Walking through the halls at COP29, I can feel the intensity of delegates and activists who are laser-focused on finance. Acknowledging the immense financial resources needed to confront climate change, the focus on finance feels both promising and daunting. It raises the stakes but also underscores the gaps we still have to bridge.

COP29 has increasingly been dubbed the “Finance COP,” with a strong focus on setting a new collective quantified goal (NCQG) for climate finance. Since day one, the priority has been pushing for an ambitious climate finance agreement. Amid yet another record-breaking year of global heat and extreme weather events, UN Executive Secretary Simon Stiell urged this year’s negotiations to prioritize a robust climate finance deal for the well-being of all nations. The negotiations are complicated by a trillion-dollar funding need, differing national agendas, and the backdrop of the U.S. election. Regardless, it’s clear that finance is the key to unlocking climate solutions, especially for vulnerable countries that have long called for more support. As we push for climate finance at COP29, I find myself asking: will we prioritize building not just new infrastructure, but also the resilience and peace needed to sustain it?

During the second and third days of COP29, national leaders delivered their statements outlining their climate priorities. As I listened to the speeches, I was struck by how few leaders addressed the critical links between climate, peace, and security. Out of 78 statements delivered by heads of state, only about 10% explicitly linked climate issues to peace and security concerns. These included remarks from countries such as Poland, Jordan, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Yemen, and Sudan. For many countries, climate action isn’t just about reducing emissions, it’s about preventing conflict and creating stability. In other delivered statements, some countries mentioned peace and security concerns but did not directly link them to climate. For instance, the EU talked about the various countries currently active in the war and that the Paris Agreement should be a peace treaty with nature. Additionally, Kenya, Liberia, and Jordan were among the countries that highlighted displacement as climate-related with the potential to drive conflict. 

The growing evidence of climate impacts on peace and security cannot be ignored. Climate change intensifies resource competition, threatens livelihoods, and drives displacement, all of which can heighten tensions and lead to instability (UNDP, 2023). As we advocate for climate finance, we must recognize that effective solutions must promote environmental and social resilience. Climate finance should help build resilient communities, support peace and cooperation, and reduce pressures that contribute to conflict. I believe security and peace are indispensable to sustaining climate progress that has been made and that must continue to occur. 

As my time at COP29 is approaching a close, I’m hopeful. Yet, there is so much more work ahead. Finance alone won’t solve the climate crisis, but I hope this ‘Finance COP’ leads to a deeper, more integrated approach that views climate action as a pathway not just to resilience, but to sustained peace.

References:

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): Climate Promise. 2023. “What is climate security and why is it important?”

https://climatepromise.undp.org/news-and-stories/what-climate-security-and-why-it-important

We are officially at COP29 in Baku. Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, visibly merges modern and ancient styles with beautiful architecture and amazing food. Being here for COP29 is a unique experience, not only because of the historic location but also because of the unprecedented themes that will shape this year’s conference. As the city itself fills with global climate leaders, organizations, students, and activists, the atmosphere is increasingly filled with energy and anticipation for what lies ahead. 

The COP29 venue is being held in the Baku Olympic Stadium. When our group arrived to check in and retrieve our badges early this morning, we were in awe of the stadium, which was lit up in green. Knowing that representatives from nearly every country in the world would gather here was exciting for all of us. During Opening Day today, the official negotiations have not yet started, but many organizations and pavilions have begun their programming. Throughout the day, the venue halls have gotten increasingly crowded with representatives from diverse countries. It’s inspiring to see people from diverse backgrounds who are brought here together with a shared commitment to climate action. 

Over the course of our travels to Baku and throughout the venue today, there’s been time to reflect on what’s at stake. The impacts of climate change are more present than ever, with more lives and livelihoods being increasingly threatened and challenged worldwide. Bold commitments made here in Baku will be critical. However, the challenge will be, as always, translating ambitious goals into meaningful action and agreements. The negotiations and decisions made here in Baku will have significant implications, especially for communities that are on the front lines of climate change impacts. 

The 2024 Global Peace Index indicated that more countries have been engaged in conflict since the last World War (Institute for Economics and Peace, 2024). At this year’s COP, the theme of peace stands out to me, and likely to many others. In his opening remarks today, the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell said, “Now is the time to show that global cooperation is rising to this moment.” It’s incredible to see how the global community is pushing for more peaceful, transformative, and cooperative approaches to climate resilience, and it’s needed. Climate solutions must go hand-in-hand with peacebuilding and security efforts, particularly in regions facing environmental degradation and conflict. In the next few days, I’ll attend events highlighting the connection between climate action and peace, and I look forward to sharing insights from these events in my next two blog posts.

For me, being here through the UNFCCC practicum course at Duke University is both exciting and humbling. As I explore the city and the COP29 venue, making connections with new people, I feel deep gratitude for the chance to be here and to be a part of this experience. I look forward to the insights COP29 will bring, the relationships I’ll build, and the inspiration that will fuel my work and studies after this conference ends.

References:

1. Institute for Economics & Peace. Global Peace Index 2024: Measuring Peace in a Complex World, Sydney, June 2024. Available from: http://visionofhumanity.org/resources (accessed 11 November 2024).