The Conference of Parties (COP) stands as the world’s premier annual summit on climate action, bringing together governments, scientists, NGOs, and other critical stakeholders to tackle the mounting challenges posed by climate change.
Since the first COP in 1995, these events have given a global forum for debating and implementing policies to reduce global warming. Baku, Azerbaijan, will host this year’s COP29 from November 11 to 22, 2024. The stakes are higher than ever as world leaders, experts, activists, and organisations gather to debate methods for getting humankind back on track to meet the essential goal of keeping warming to 1.5°C over pre-industrial levels.
The Urgent Context Surrounding COP29
COP29 takes place against the backdrop of an alarming UN climate study, which confirms that global temperature rise is approaching the 1.5°C threshold. Without quick action, temperatures are expected to rise by 2.6-3.1°C this century, resulting in more extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and socioeconomic upheavals.
Record-breaking floods in Spain, ferocious storms in Florida, and wildfires in South America are just a few examples of how extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense around the world. With the cost of inactivity becoming increasingly evident, financing clean alternatives to the fossil fuels driving climate change will be a primary priority at this year’s UN climate conference, COP29.
The United Nations has reiterated urgent appeals for rapid greenhouse gas emissions cuts, citing the G20 group of industrialised economies and top emitters as a major contributor. This sets a crucial tone for the negotiations in Baku, where the primary goal is to stimulate concrete, coordinated steps from all sides.
COP29 Logistics and Venue: Baku Stadium
COP29 will take place at Baku Stadium, a central location in Azerbaijan’s capital. On November 10, more than 500 delegates from various countries attended a preliminary logistics briefing led by key officials Shahla Abbakirova of the COP29 Coordination Board, Mr Wasim Mir, Director of Conference Affairs at the UNFCCC, and Grace Ann Smith, Deputy Head of the Protocol and External Relations Department. During this briefing, they discussed the conference’s operational details, such as VIP reception, transportation, accommodations, and security precautions for high-profile participants. Abbakirova also highlighted plans for the World Leaders’ Climate Summit, which is slated for the first few days of COP29, emphasising the necessity of ideal arrangements to promote meaningful discussions among heads of state.
Zones at COP29: The Blue Zone and Green Zone
The COP29 venue will be divided into two main areas: the Blue Zone and the Green Zone. Each serves a unique function in the conference’s framework:
In the Blue Zone, informal networking will flourish. Each country has its own « pavilion, » frequently used to exhibit national climate projects and facilitate networking and knowledge sharing. For COP28 in Dubai, these pavilions were put up as rooms on the ground floor of buildings at the Expo 2020 site, a format that is likely to be repeated in Baku for COP29. The pavilions are more than just displays; they also host side events—usually panels with three or four speakers—that promote national efforts, potential investment opportunities, and collaborative projects. Along with national delegates, experts from other nations are frequently invited, enhancing talks with varied perspectives and encouraging global knowledge sharing.
Aside from the national pavilions, other organisations, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), have specialised premises. With over 100 activities taking place simultaneously, guests are continually surrounded by talks, presentations, and panels. While this variety provides several possibilities to participate, the lack of a centralised program means that finding specific events requires a combination of serendipity and word of mouth. Wandering into a pavilion may lead to an informative debate, but the fluid-structure frequently means that half of the crowd is acquainted. Too many events can muddy the facts, but each debate, on its own, provides vital information.
The Blue Zone also hosts NGOs, often set up in small, temporary structures akin to beach huts. These spaces hold three or four organisations at a time, typically staffed by young, passionate advocates eager to engage with visitors. However, these staffers are also keen to explore other areas of the Blue Zone, so visitors may sometimes find these stalls unattended.
The Green Zone: This space is dedicated to the public, NGOs, academics, private sector representatives, youth, and other civil society members. Managed by the COP29 Presidency, the Green Zone promotes inclusivity, facilitating discussions, panels, and exhibitions showcasing innovations and potential solutions to combat climate change. This setup underscores the essential collaboration between governments and grassroots stakeholders in addressing the climate crisis.
One notable feature within the Green Zone is the Extreme Hangout, a space for youth-led dialogues, workshops, and demonstrations focused on regional climate challenges. Running throughout COP29, the Extreme Hangout will tackle themes such as biodiversity, renewable energy, ocean conservation, and sustainable innovation, aiming to inspire the next generation of climate leaders.
Azerbaijan’s Role and Vision for COP29
For Azerbaijan, hosting COP29 is a great honour and recognition of the country’s efforts toward green energy and sustainability. President Ilham Aliyev acknowledged his satisfaction in hosting this worldwide event, highlighting Azerbaijan’s commitment to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting its renewable energy strategy. Azerbaijan’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) reflects aggressive ambitions, including a 40% reduction in emissions by 2050 and a 30% increase in renewable power capacity by 2030. Azerbaijan intends to be a regional leader in green energy, setting an example for other countries with its commitment to sustainability.
Objectives and Priorities of COP29
The agenda of COP29, led by the Azerbaijani Presidency, is structured around two main pillars: enhancing ambition and enabling action. These pillars guide the conference’s goals of securing ambitious national commitments and facilitating the necessary financial and technical support to achieve these targets.
Enhancing Ambition: COP29 will fundamentally focus on encouraging nations to commit to ambitious climate targets that align with the 1.5°C pathway. Transparency and accountability are essential to this pillar, as parties must ensure credible, actionable plans and promises.
Enabling Action: Financial support is critical to transforming ambitious targets into reality. The COP29 Presidency aims to drive a collective commitment to mobilise funds to reduce emissions, promote climate resilience, and address loss and damage in vulnerable regions. This focus acknowledges that meaningful climate action requires both the will to act and the resources to sustain it.
Building Partnerships for Climate Solutions
COP29 is receiving support from an array of international partners committed to advancing sustainable practices and climate action. Among the key partners are:
- Pasha Holding (Impact Partner)
- SOCAR Green (Energy Transition Partner)
- Azersun Holding (Sustainable Growth Partner)
- ACWA Power (Energy & Water Partner)
- Neqsol Holding (Synergy Partner)
- Rhenus Group (Logistics Partner)
- Silk Way West Airlines (Global Air Cargo Partner)
- Azercell (Telecommunications Partner)
Securing Access to COP29: Entry Tickets
Electronic tickets are required to streamline access to the Green Zone and are available free of charge on iTicket.az. This digital ticketing system aims to manage visitor flow efficiently while maintaining a secure and organised environment. Free access allows a wide array of participants, from the general public to specialised stakeholders, to experience the COP29 events and engage in dialogues on climate solutions.
What’s at Stake?
As COP29 commences, the world faces a critical juncture in the fight against climate change. The 1.5°C target, established in the Paris Agreement, represents more than just a number; it is a threshold beyond which the risks of extreme climate impacts multiply. Meeting this goal requires immediate and significant emission reductions from the largest emitters, primarily developed economies, to mitigate future consequences.
The call to action has never been clearer, and COP29 represents a pivotal opportunity for world leaders to turn commitments into concrete action. The discussions, agreements, and partnerships forged in Baku could mark a turning point in the global effort to stave off the worst impacts of climate change and build a more sustainable, resilient future.
Written by Florence Dr Florence Omisakin
