Welcome to our daily blog from COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where FFI Solutions’ Sustainability Research Analyst Intern, Emily Wong, will share her thoughts and insights from the conference. Emily brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to this critical global conversation. As a student at Colby College pursuing an Economics and Environmental Policy degree, Emily combines her academic studies with hands-on industry analysis of the energy transition through FFI’s Transition Intelligence platform. Having represented Colby College at the United Nations Climate Conference in Germany, she is no stranger to the international stage and is excited to provide you with on-the-ground insights from COP29. Stay tuned for her updates and experience COP29 through the eyes of an emerging voice in sustainability, one who represents the next generation of climate leadership.
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 – Green Zone Insights
As we’re sharing badges, Day 3 at COP29 was my opportunity to explore outside the main event. I spent the day immersed in the Green Zone – a vibrant space hosting non-country pavilions and organizations dedicated to climate action.
How Do You Feel About Climate Change?
For me, the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GUAC) stood out, offering a platform to engage with young leaders from around the world. I was drawn to two compelling discussions. The first explored the intersection of mental health and climate change. The speaker highlighted the emotional toll faced by communities grappling with climate-induced disasters, with stories shared from Japan, Pakistan, and the Philippines. These narratives were a reminder that climate change not only has environmental and economic costs, but also that human costs are a significant driver of climate action.
After the talk, I engaged with students affiliated with the GUAC and connected with a local Azerbaijani volunteer working at COP29. This conversation shed light on Azerbaijan’s struggle to meet its carbon reduction targets – a challenge that many nations face. I believe the location of COP has a huge influence in the trajectory of progress.
Negotiation Highlights
The second discussion provided an overview of key negotiations at COP29, focusing on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and procedural challenges.
- NCQG
Discussions on the NCQG for climate finance have been marked by limited transparency, with meetings now closed to observers and party overflow. A nine-page draft from Week 1 has grown to 25 pages, reflecting added complexity. Two key approaches are under debate: a single-layer structure dividing provisional goals and mobilization, or a multi-layer structure. While some view the latter as balancing Global North and Global South interests, inclusion of new elements has made it complicated. COP29 week 2 is hinting that a consensus on the NCQG remains unlikely.
- Article 6: Behind Closed Doors
Discussions on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement enable voluntary cooperation on achieving emission reduction targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Compared to last week, this week has been hindered by a lack of transparency with negotiations taking place behind closed doors without informal consultations from other stakeholders.
- Broader Challenges
Lack of transparency and delayed submissions have undermined momentum. With a rushed week 2 agenda, consensus on the NCQG for climate finance seems unlikely, as tensions between Global North and Global South priorities remain unresolved. These highlights reveal incremental progress but also significant structural and procedural hurdles, raising concerns about COP29’s ability to deliver on its ambitions.
Reflections
While stakeholders are now permitted to email submissions and contribute to interventions, there is often no time to do so. It does not appear that negotiators are putting much consideration into emailed submissions. Moreover, with meetings now closed to observers, progress is even more challenging. It’s essential for stakeholder engagement to be improved and sped up for any substantial movement.
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 – Shifting Priorities
Day 2 has been a whirlwind of discussions, challenges, and opportunities. It’s clear that COP29 is grappling with a mix of ambition and hesitation. Much of the focus has shifted to the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) and the Global Stocktake (GST), sidelining many other critical topics including Just Transition, Agriculture & Food, Loss and Damage, Oceans, Gender and Women, and Health.
With three days remaining, I’m already hearing conversations on COP30 in Brazil. Many here seem to believe that this year’s summit won’t deliver groundbreaking outcomes, and that more substantive progress will have to wait.
Just Transition: A Missed Opportunity?
Most of the discussions on Just Transition are taking place behind closed doors, leaving observers like YOUNGO – including my small but dedicated Working Group – without a voice. It’s disappointing to see the topic winding down with little progress, but we remain hopeful for stronger commitments at COP30.
Diverse Topics: Glimmers of Progress
Moving between meetings focusing on a range of topics:
- Global Stocktake (GST): The GST meeting focused on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The session was a bit dry, as negotiators covered tedious grammatical concerns on phrases and sentence structure. Overall, it felt like an anxious atmosphere with the co-facilitator reiterating that “time is of the essence”.
- National Adaptation Plans (NAP): At the NAP meeting, the speaker table was relatively empty with only 30 or so country department representatives attending rather than party negotiators. Most discussed their country’s specific climate disasters, such as Honduras who is enduring a fifth day of catastrophic tropical storms. The urgency for adaptation finance was clear, as many emphasized the need for mechanisms to implement plans effectively.
- One Health: The long que to enter the One Health meeting signaled its importance. One Health focuses on the interconnectedness of humans, animals, the environment, and health. The topic of health was first introduced at COP28, and the COP29 presidency pushed for One Health to be on the agenda. With nine high profile speakers and a strong media presence, discussions on health issue concerns covered animal-borne diseases infecting humans (new and re-emerging) exasperated by pesticides, use of antibiotics, and anti-microbial issues. Proposals to lower disease risk included restoring ecosystems – offering carbon, health, and financial benefits – with that savings reinvested into other climate change matters, improvement of medical facility infrastructure, and strengthening the health workforce.
- Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition: Demonstrating the growing interest and importance of critical minerals, I was unable to join this full session, which was at capacity.
Reflections
Flanked by official COP29 “In Solidarity for a Green World” banners, I also took some time to explore the maze of country pavilions, listening to host talks. I was taken by the extravagance of some and noted that the OPEC pavilion was empty.
For those of us deeply invested in the outcomes of COP29, this week has been a reminder of both the possibilities and the challenges of global climate action. The NCQG and GST discussions signal opportunities for significant financial reform, but the lack of momentum on issues like Just Transition leaves me concerned. With the remaining days of COP29, I look forward to tracking the environmental, social, and financial implications of these negotiations. There’s still hope for meaningful progress, but it’s clear that much of the heavy lifting will need to happen at COP30.
Monday, November 18, 2024 – Just Transition
Today, as COP29 enters its second week, the focus on achieving a Just Transition—ensuring no one is left behind in the energy transition—took center stage in discussions and events across the Baku Conference Center. On a happy start, the city’s efficient shuttle services for COP29 attendees have minimized traffic disruptions.
My day began covering a meeting of YOUNGO, the UNFCCC’s youth constituency, followed by discussions with their Just Transition Working Group (JTWG). The Group’s efforts align with the United Nations’ principle of ensuring that “no one is left behind or pushed behind in the transition to low-carbon and environmentally sustainable economies and societies” (United Nations Committee for Development Policy). I (and the Just Transition Working Group of YOUNGO) had informal meetings with a few country delegates. During these chats, we explored actionable outcomes and attempted to gain insights into ongoing negotiations that are happening behind closed doors. The outcome of our discussions emphasized the need to integrate Just Transition into existing financial mechanisms, like Loss and Damage and Adaptation funds.
My day concluded with the Second Annual High-Level Ministerial Roundtable on Just Transition. Discussions highlighted the importance of tailoring Just Transition strategies to national contexts, ensuring inclusivity through multi-stakeholder dialogue, and addressing workforce needs through up-skilling and re-skilling initiatives. They also emphasized the fiscal constraints, limited technological development and technology transfer, and insufficient capacity building faced by developing countries.
However, diverging national approaches – such as the U.S. focus on domestic funding – drew criticism for sidelining global responsibilities even as several parties highlighted the importance of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR+RC). Participation in this meeting was robust, with many parties and organizations eager to speak. Unfortunately, after more than three hours of discussion, many were left without the chance to speak and instead were asked to email written statements to the Secretariat. Ironically, despite repeated calls from delegates for more inclusive stakeholder engagement, the session concluded with frustration for YOUNGO and other organizations. Nevertheless, there was consensus that the work program must deliver actionable outcomes for Just Transition goals.
As the day concludes, I reflect on the vibrant energy of Baku’s city center—a blend of tradition and modernity mirroring the contrasts and aspirations of the discussions here at COP29.
Until tomorrow… Emily Wong
Emily Wong
Sustainability Research Analyst Intern
FFI Solutions