COP29 kicks off in Baku with ambitious climate agenda

The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) has officially opened in Baku, drawing international delegates and leaders from nearly 200 nations. The summit was inaugurated with a powerful speech from UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, who highlighted the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for decisive action on financing, adaptation, and emissions reductions.

Stiell began by expressing gratitude to the UAE for its previous presidency and congratulated Azerbaijan for successfully hosting the event. He set a serious tone early on, stating, "I don’t go in for hopes and dreams. What inspires me is human ingenuity and determination — our ability to get knocked down and get up again until we accomplish our goals." He underscored the harsh reality of climate change by sharing a personal anecdote about his neighbour, Florence, an 85-year-old woman from Carriacou whose home was destroyed by extreme weather this year.

Key agenda items and financial commitments

A central focus of COP29 will be to secure an ambitious new climate finance goal, a topic Stiell described as crucial for both developing and developed countries. "If at least two-thirds of the world's nations cannot afford to cut emissions quickly, then every nation pays a brutal price," he warned, stressing that climate finance should not be viewed as charity but as an investment in global stability. Stiell called for reforms to the financial system to provide countries with the necessary fiscal space to implement robust climate action plans.

The conference will also aim to finalise the rules for international carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Stiell underscored the importance of this move, saying, "We mustn’t let 1.5°C slip out of reach. Even as temperatures rise, the implementation of our agreements must claw them back." He noted the significant growth in clean energy investments, which are projected to reach US$2 trillion in 2024, nearly double the spending on fossil fuels.

Urgent need for cooperation and action

Stiell’s speech highlighted the challenges facing the COP process but also conveyed a sense of determination. "Do you want your grocery and energy bills to go up even more?" he asked delegates, emphasising the real-life impacts of failing to act on climate change. He called on countries to show unity and resolve, stating, "Now is the time to show that global cooperation is not down for the count. It’s rising to this moment. So let’s rise here together".

Looking ahead: next steps and expectations

As COP29 continues, negotiators will address critical issues such as setting adaptation indicators, enhancing financial support for loss and damage, and encouraging more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The outcomes of these discussions will set the stage for the next climate summit, COP30, scheduled to be held in Brazil next year. Stiell concluded with a call for sustained momentum, urging all parties to "stand and deliver" concrete results from the negotiations in Baku.

The world now watches as COP29 unfolds, hopeful that the promises made will translate into meaningful, urgent action against the growing climate crisis.