BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 27. The COP29 Climate Conference, held from November 11 to 22, 2024, at the majestic Baku Olympic Stadium, marked not just another round of discussions on climate change, but it was also pivotal for Azerbaijan and the greater international community. The event, being the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date, attracted leaders and participants from 198 countries, making it the first COP to be hosted in the country.
This year's conference was particularly noteworthy as it focused on actionable strategies directed at confronting climate change's pressing challenges, including rising temperatures, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic disparities exacerbated by these climate crises. During the opening ceremonies, various global leaders emphasized the need for urgent collaborative efforts to combat what they termed ‘catastrophic’ climate change.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed this sentiment during the discussions, underscoring the immediate need for all sectors—businesses, governments, and civil societies—to align on effective climate action. He stated, "We are racing the clock," reflecting the dire urgency brought about by extreme weather events wreaking havoc on communities and economies around the globe.
Guterres highlighted the massive global efforts made to steer the world toward net-zero emissions by mid-century but warned those efforts could prove fruitless without stronger inter-sector collaboration. He called on nations to facilitate the initiatives of non-state actors—businesses, local governments, and community organizations—as they push for climate action and sustainability. His assertion, “Time is racing, and you are on the right side of history,” was clear: global leaders must act swiftly and decisively.
Brazil’s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, contributed to the narrative of responsibility and commitment to climate action. He detailed the country's impressive strides toward combating global warming, including a 45.7 percent reduction in deforestation rates over the past two years and increasing usage of renewable energy sources. Alckmin noted, “Brazil has a commitment to fighting climate change,” clearly setting the tone for other countries to follow suit.
Hosting COP29 has also placed Azerbaijan under the international spotlight. Gunel Mustafayeva, spokesperson for Azerbaijan's State Tourism Agency, pointed out how the conference has allowed tens of thousands of international visitors to discover Azerbaijan's rich heritage and modern infrastructure. She explained, “The visit of thousands of foreign media representatives during the event, as well as its coverage by the world media, created opportunities to promote the potential of business and business tourism in Azerbaijan.”
Mustafayeva identified significant long-term and short-term impacts on the tourism sector, emphasizing improved service quality and increased ranges of services as key benefits to hosting high-profile events like COP29. For the first time ever, the event also featured tourism-related initiatives, culminating with the adoption of the COP29 Declaration on Enhancing Climate Action in the Tourism Sector.
This firm commitment to integrate tourism within climate strategies reflects Azerbaijan's opportunity to emerge as a leader not only within the region but also on the global stage concerning sustainable tourism practices. Tourism expert Azer Hasanov noted the event could attract new demographics to Azerbaijan, particularly those interested in environmentally sustainable experiences. He believed the country’s environmental partners and local tour operators would heighten their focus on eco-friendly tourism, accelerating the development of sustainable tourism destinations.
The global visibility garnered through COP29 could also stimulate international investments aimed at establishing eco-friendly tourism infrastructure. Hasanov commented, “Such significant international events can accelerate demand for ecotourism and sustainable tourism, fostering eco-friendly practices and enhancing Azerbaijan’s presence in the international tourism arena.”
Beyond the tourism sector impact, the conference represented Azerbaijan's shift from its historical reliance on fossil fuels to embracing green technologies and renewable energy. Experts remark this development must be seen as emblematic of the complex dynamics faced by many countries transitioning to sustainable development.
During COP29, significant discussions were held around promoting financial equity and technological innovation. Helena Vines Fiestas, chair of the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance, announced progress among G20 nations to back non-state actors' transition to net-zero emissions. She mentioned, “The number of policies has tripled since 2020,” noting this progress underscored the feasibility of regulating net-zero efforts.
This global conference also marked the introduction of new initiatives aimed at strengthening accountability and transparency around climate action. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, discussed the redevelopment of the Global Climate Action Portal, enhancing tracking capabilities of commitments made by various stakeholders.
With countries and territories like Washington State echoing their unwavering commitment to climate change mitigation, Guterres and other leaders sought assurance for future action on such declarations to be met with tangible strategies and meaningful follow-through.
While about 198 countries convened for this landmark conference, many advocates emphasized the importance of widening the societal and systematic scope of climate action. Catherine McKenna, chair of the UN High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Actors, exhibited urgency and relevance through her report, “Integrity Matters: The Hard Work is Now.”
Addressing climate commitments, she remarked, “Every fraction of a degree matters, and every tonne of CO2 makes a difference,” urging heightened compliance and commitment both from governmental bodies and corporate entities toward genuine climate mitigation efforts.
With COP29 leaving its mark on the global stage, the importance of collaboration, transparency, and fostering sustainable practices were clear messages as negotiations transitioned from just ideas to actionable strategies, shaping the global climate agenda for years to come.
