What should be done to turn COP29 discussions into action

Protests demand for finance pledges to be met by global North.[AFP]

The 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, concluded last weekend with a mix of optimism and frustration. Governments revisited existing commitments to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, emphasising renewable energy transitions, climate finance, and accountability mechanisms. However, the pledges, while ambitious on paper, remain insufficient in addressing the accelerating climate impacts.

One significant achievement at COP29 was the adoption of a proposal to increase climate finance to from the previous target of $100 billion annually to a new target of $300 billion annually by 2035. This funding is aimed at supporting developing nations in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Additionally, the nations gathered pledged to work to increase financing commitments in order to raise this figure to $1.5 trillion by 2035. Despite this, developed nations failed to meet the longstanding $100 billion annual commitment, creating scepticism about future promises.

It was also reinforced that there is a need to accelerate transitions to renewable energy, with nations agreeing to triple global renewable capacity by 2030. However, debates over equity and burden-sharing persisted, with developed countries resisting binding commitments on historical emissions responsibilities.

India’s position at COP29 exemplifies the complex dynamics of responsibility, finance, and implementation in the Global South. The Indian representative to COP29, speaking on behalf of other developing countries, rejected the deal as presented, calling it an “optical illusion” that pays lip service to making strides towards mitigating climate change, but in actuality will change little. She also called out the fact that the new resolutions were passed without giving countries an opportunity to raise objections, calling the entire process stage-managed.

India, representing the Like-Minded Developing Countries, played a pivotal role in advocating for climate justice. The country emphasised equity, common but differentiated responsibilities, and the need for non-debt-inducing climate finance. Indian negotiators stressed that while the Global South contributes minimally to global emissions, it bears disproportionate impacts from climate-induced disasters, including floods, droughts, and heatwaves.

Whilst these negotiations were ongoing, the city of New Delhi in India was experiencing unprecedented levels of air pollution, with the Air Quality Index reflecting that people had to stay indoors. As a consequence, schools have been shut down over the past week, with students being advised to take their classes online. India, perhaps more than any other country, understands the urgency of receiving concrete support for climate and pollution mitigation efforts, and in its statement called out something that many suspect to be true: The annual Conference of Parties serves only to present a veneer that developed countries care about the declining state of the planet, allowing them to make lofty pledges and promises whilst in actually doing little concrete work to improve the situation. As well, it places undue responsibility on developing countries, who are not only least responsible for the current state of the climate but also disproportionately affected.

For COP29’s outcomes to be meaningful, several steps are essential. First, States must move beyond making financial pledges towards taking accountability in climate finance. Already, the initial target of $100 billion was not made, hence it is hard to believe states will work to meet the new target. Binding mechanisms must be put into place to ensure that states pay up. International collaboration is also sorely needed in order for climate mitigation efforts to become collective rather than individualised.

All in all, COP29 highlighted the global community’s intent but also its shortcomings in combating climate change. The journey from pledges to action remains fraught with challenges, particularly for developing nations that are crumbling under the weight of ever progressing climate problems. The decisions made in Baku set the stage for further negotiations, but without immediate and sustained efforts, the vision of a sustainable and equitable future risks becoming an unattainable ideal.

Ms Gitahi is an international lawyer