COP29-Final Round Up…

From 11th to 22nd November, Azerbaijan has hosted COP29 – the United Nations 29th annual global climate change conference. Here is a brief summary of the daily negotiations:

Day 1-2: November 11th-12th

The conference kicked off with the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, emphasising the urgency of more ambitious climate strategies. The discussions highlighted the need for enhanced climate adaptation, particularly in vulnerable regions like Africa. Major announcements included calls for investment in Africa’s green transition and enhanced support for early warning systems.

Day 3-5: November 13th-15th

Key discussions centered on the mechanisms under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, especially focusing on the rules for carbon market mechanisms. Divergences remained on authorisation processes for carbon credits, which are crucial for international cooperation on emission reductions. Adaptation issues also took centre stage, with debates on global and context-specific indicators to track progress towards climate adaptation goals.

Day 6-9: November 16th-19th

Negotiations involved heated debates over National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), with discussions on whether to proceed with draft texts or continue debates into future sessions. Issues on financial and technical support to developing nations, especially regarding the provision of data transparency and reporting, were critical. The need for stronger guidelines for the Global Stocktake (GST) also featured prominently, reflecting ongoing challenges in achieving consensus on adaptation and finance.

Day 10-12: November 20th-22nd

As the summit moved towards its final days, delegates sought to resolve outstanding disagreements on adaptation indicators and financial mechanisms. The Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage was scrutinised for its effectiveness, with calls to make it more accessible and actionable for vulnerable countries. Negotiators also debated technological support frameworks to assist nations in transitioning to low-carbon economies and enhancing resilience.

The discussions at COP29 underscore ongoing challenges in balancing diverse national interests while advancing global climate goals, especially around issues of finance, technology, adaptation, and mitigation efforts.