With globalization, people’s lifestyles, choices, and opportunities have diversified, yet many new challenges have also emerged. Among these issues, perhaps the most striking is “Climate Change.”
Over time, ecological balances disrupted by environmental factors have significantly altered the living standards and quality of life not only for humans but for all creatures inhabiting the Earth. Looking at the historical process, industrialization has caused environmental problems, including waste, food waste, air pollution, and the reckless use of water and natural resources.
Given that this issue affects the global order, efforts to curb rising global temperatures, reduce planet-heating gases, and combat the escalating impacts of climate change have led to increased cooperation among world nations.
Here, I would like to discuss the “Conference of Parties” (COP), the official series of meetings under the UN framework where world leaders assess global efforts to advance the Paris Agreement and keep global warming limited to 1.5°C, as reported by the latest science.
The 29th COP, managed by the UN and held this year from November 11-22 in Baku, Azerbaijan, brought world leaders together to measure progress and negotiate the best ways to tackle climate change. Currently, 198 parties (197 countries plus the European Union) are signatories to the agreement, signifying near-universal membership.
Also known as the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP is the only multilateral decision-making forum addressing climate change, bringing together almost every country annually.
In simple terms, COP is where the world unites to agree on actions to tackle the climate crisis, including limiting global temperature increases to 1.5°C, helping vulnerable communities adapt to climate change impacts, and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
COP29 gathered global leaders, negotiators, business leaders, youth, climate scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and civil society from UNFCCC member states (or Parties) to share insights and best practices for strengthening global, collective, and inclusive climate action.
Key priorities of COP29 included setting a new target for climate finance, ensuring all countries have the tools for stronger climate action, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and building resilient communities.
This year’s central focus at COP29 was “finance.” Trillions of dollars are required to help countries significantly reduce emissions and protect lives and livelihoods from worsening climate impacts. To this end, Parties will finalize a more ambitious climate finance goal, taking into account the needs and priorities of developing countries, before the 2025 deadline set under the Paris Agreement.
Under “the renewable energy agenda”, “targets such as quadrupling solar and wind energy capacity by 2035”, “leveraging artificial intelligence for energy security and digitization”, and fair transitions to clean and renewable energy systems were emphasized. Other goals include “increasing renewable energy capacity”, “enhancing energy efficiency”, “expanding nuclear energy production, and “developing new technologies like hydrogen, battery storage, and carbon capture and storage”.
Despite ongoing uncertainty regarding previous commitments, such as the U.S. reversing environmental regulations under former President Trump, COP29 underscored the need for developed countries to lead by phasing out coal by 2030 and natural gas by 2035, with developing nations setting similar targets by 2040.
The sessions also marked an important moment for countries to present updated national climate action plans under the Paris Agreement, which will be publicly shared by early 2025. If implemented effectively, these plans could double investment strategies advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Although the current geopolitical landscape—marked by global conflicts and financial constraints—poses challenges to international climate cooperation, COP29 has yielded valuable lessons and outcomes from the first global stocktake, paving the way for future efforts.
In conclusion, COP29, held this year in Baku, Azerbaijan, has highlighted the commitments of world leaders under the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C. It stressed the need for countries to intensify efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, with developed nations pledging a new financial target by 2025 to assist developing countries. This financing aims to help emerging economies reduce carbon emissions and adapt to the severe impacts of rising temperatures, making COP29 a globally significant event.
Next year, COP30, to be held in Brazil in November 2025, is expected to show further progress.
Sources:
What is COP29 and how will Trump’s election affect the climate talks?
COP29: Investing in a livable planet for all | United Nations
2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference – Wikipedia
What Will Happen at COP 29? | International Institute for Sustainable Development