At the COP29 Climate Summit held recently in Baku, significant discussions and announcements unfolded, with calls for more decisive actions to tackle climate change amid concerns about the urgency of the situation. Delegates from various nations and organizations gathered to address pressing climate issues, centering around the commitments made by world leaders and the tangible steps necessary to uphold climate goals.
The G20’s final declaration, drafted during the summit, has received mixed evaluations from participants, particularly non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who expressed disappointment over the lack of specific commitments to phase out fossil fuels. Many leaders acknowledged the progress made in securing climate finance, especially targeted at helping developing nations, but the absence of clear phasing-out strategies for fossil fuel reliance stood as the main point of contention.
Adonia Ayebare, representing the G77+China bloc, acknowledged the declaration’s focus on mobilizing public and private investment to support climate efforts but called attention to the insufficient clarity around funding sources. "We asked for these funds to come as public sources, preferably as loans or grants, which was not clearly articulated," Ayebare remarked. The sentiment from NGOs mirrors this lack of clarity and preciseness. Critics highlighted how long-standing calls for greater action against fossil fuels yielded inadequate results, with the G20’s silence on the subject perceived as a dangerous oversight.
One prominent voice of dissent was Rebecca Thissen of the Climate Action Network, who opined, "Silence on the phase-out of fossil fuels is unacceptable and reveals significant leadership gaps from major emitting countries.” This echoed throughout the summit as leaders waited for advertised climate financial goals to translate those promises from mere declarations to direct action.
Throughout COP29, various stakeholders reiterated the urgent need for enhanced public funding and accountability; without precise timelines or mechanisms for enforcement, there is skepticism about whether stated aspirations could convert to real progress. Oscar Soria, with years of experience as climate negotiation activist, criticized the overall direction, noting, "These aspirations risk becoming more like notes on paper rather than actionable strategies. Now is not the time for vague commitments. Action is absolutely imperative."
On the horizon for global climate strategy, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for immediate action to limit the temperature rise to 1.5°C. He warned leaders gathered at the G20 of the impending consequences of failing to act decisively, predicting devastating global economic impacts should the world continue on its current path, potentially reaching up to 3°C of warming. "The fossil fuel age is coming to its inevitable end, and it’s high time for us to make the transition to renewable energy," he urged.
Guterres’s remarks were echoed by key figures at COP29 who urged not only for advanced financial commitments but also for accountability from powerful nations. His call for G20 members — responsible for about 80% of global emissions — to take definitive steps forward on climate policy sparked significant discussion surrounding collective responsibility and leadership. He applauded nations like Brazil and the UK for reinforcing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), urging others to do the same.
Meanwhile, discussions surrounding the role of nature-based solutions garnered increased attention. A collective statement from 68 NGOs, business coalitions, and Indigenous Peoples organizations highlighted the necessity of recognizing nature's solution to the climate crisis, warning global efforts to stay under the 1.5°C target could falter if nature continued to be sidelined. This urgency was compounded by findings from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), indicating the alarming underfunding of nature conservation and corresponding climate efforts.
James Lloyd, Policy Lead at Nature4Climate, emphasized the need for not only recognizing nature’s role but also for committing to extensive financing to support it. “We are at 1.2°C right now; nature’s ability to help adapt and mitigate climate impacts is under threat. With days remaining to deliver an ambitious climate finance goal, we need to secure at least $1 trillion,” he announced, reiterative of the point made by various science-backed communities stressing the link between climate action and nature-based solutions.
The statement presented at COP29 argued vigorously for tripling the funding dedicated to nature, as current figures show investment falls drastically short of what's necessary. While approximately $200 billion is currently allocated toward nature-based solutions on a global scale, it must soar to about $542 billion yearly to meet targets established during previous conventions.
Deliberations on “Food, Water, and Agriculture Day” during COP29 also sought to galvanize efforts to decarbonize these sectors, particularly against the backdrop of significant methane emissions linked to agricultural practices. With the Global Methane Pledge anchoring intentions, the farmers' role within the climate narrative was spotlighted, addressing concerns around the emissions contributing to climate change.
It's noteworthy how farmer constituencies and advocates underscored the importance of aligning climate action with food security, aiming to reshape agricultural practices toward greener and sustainable models. This shared commitment between the climate and agricultural sectors signals newfound approaches to managing issues rooted both in sustainability and economic viability.
Despite the agenda for decisive action on climate financing and nature-based solutions at COP29, frustration lingers as many feel these discussions often dwell on commitments without tangible outcomes. The urgency to turn words and pledges of solidarity and cooperation from the summit floor to actionable results remains the shared goal among several negotiating parties.
With COP30 on the horizon, the calls for collective action are likely to intensify, closely monitored by environmental and human rights advocates alike. Setting the stage for future negotiations, the gathering expressed collective disappointment yet renewed determination to pressurize leaders for commitments and fiscal backing necessary to lead the way toward meaningful progress on climate action.
The ramifications of these negotiations will only crystallize with time, but the current sentiment suggests climate advocates will not rest until they see their leaders held accountable for the pledges they make. Achieving climate goals and ensuring just transitions fall within the collective responsibility of the global community, and as COP29 concludes, it is evident more radical actions must follow priorities outlined during discussions aimed at establishing the future of our planet.
