Why the Youth is Angry at COP29’s Results

Commentary

For 29 years, youth groups have been calling for immediate solutions to climate change yet wealthy nations are locked in golden towers counting coins as the world warms up! 

Youth Action at COP29
Teaser Image Caption
Youth advocates have called for an increase in climate finance to USD 5 trillion annually.

COP29 was supposedly a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for climate justice, yet it concluded with profound disappointment, particularly regarding the New Collective Quantified Goals (NCQG). This agenda item was anticipated to establish a robust financial framework to support developing countries in their climate actions. However, after two weeks of intense negotiations, developed nations agreed to contribute a mere USD 300 billion per year by 2035, a figure that falls drastically short of what is necessary. 

Broken Promises of NCQG Final Text in COP29

A deal on the NCQG was made at COP29 but the final text reflects a significantly false solution rather than progress. The disappointment surrounding the USD 300 billion commitment stems from its vague stipulations. The text does not clarify that these funds will be provided as grant-based climate finance; instead, it includes non-concessional loans and existing expenditures from debt-inducing multilateral development banks like the World Bank. Moreover, the text allows countries to contribute less than the total amount over the ten years leading up to 2035, besides, nothing in the UNFCCC agreement is obligatory. 

This lack of accountability is particularly troubling given that developed nations bear historical responsibility for the climate crisis. The NCQG text indicates that it “Encourages developing country Parties to make contributions, including through South–South cooperation, on a voluntary basis”. The expectation in this text is that developing countries would also voluntarily contribute to this goal is unjust and undermines the historical responsibility of the developed countries and tries to “voluntarily” shift it to developing countries. However, developing countries through different climate negotiations trying to involve the developed countries in holding responsibilities of emissions or climate finance which is not fair as the developed nations have the significant responsibility of the climate crisis we currently endure. 

Walkouts and Whispers: Youth Activists' Last Stand at COP29

As youth activists gathered at COP29, our hopes were high for meaningful outcomes. However, we were left disillusioned as they witnessed the final hours of negotiations unfold. The atmosphere was charged with urgency as young people and civil society organizations organized numerous actions, demanding that wealthier nations fulfil their obligations and address issues of climate justice. 

The situation escalated when negotiators from Small Island Developing States (AOSIS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) walked out of the room as a protest over their exclusion from discussions. This exclusion only intensified feelings of frustration among youth activists who had dedicated themselves to advocating for change and were even sleepy on the floor in the very late hours of COP29 before the closing plenary. 

Silenced Voices and Exclusion, the Bitter Reality of COP29

The closing plenary of COP29 further exacerbated these sentiments. The COP presidency's announcement of the NCQG text was abrupt and dismissive, leaving no room for objections or discussions from affected (developing and least developing) countries. Despite India's request to speak before the announcement, their voice was ignored, raising serious concerns about the transparency and inclusivity of the negotiation process. 

Such actions led us youth activists to question whether their efforts had any real impact within a system that appears to prioritize procedural outcomes over substantive engagement. The overall atmosphere at COP29 reflected a broader sense of disillusionment among youth activists. Although attendance was lower compared to previous years, those who participated arrived with clear demands: a phase-out of fossil fuels, an agreement on Just Transition (JT), and concrete commitments on NCQG funding. 

Despite the historical pledge, back in 2009, from developed nations to provide $100 billion in climate finance, it remains less than the actual need for developed countries (in terms of adaptation, mitigation, Loss and Damage). Youth advocates have called for an increase in climate finance to USD 5 trillion annually, emphasizing that such funding must be grant-based rather than loan-based. The outcome at COP29 - USD 300 billion - is insufficient and indicative of a lack of genuine commitment from wealthier nations.

Militarism, Colonisation, and Resistance: The Hidden Climate Battleground, what is Next? 

As discussions continued at COP29, global conflicts and militarization persisted unabated, resulting in immense human suffering and environmental degradation. Youth activists noted the glaring omission of military emissions in climate negotiations, despite military activities contributing significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. This oversight is particularly troubling given that military spending among major polluters is estimated at USD 2.24 trillion - far exceeding what is needed for reparations for developing countries most affected by climate change. 

Looking ahead to COP30 in Brazil, youth activists are determined not to let COP29's shortcomings deter their efforts. They are calling for a complete reimagining of climate negotiations that prioritizes genuine inclusion and transparency while demanding meaningful action from developed nations. The path forward will require persistent grassroots organizing and relentless advocacy for climate justice.

In light of COP29's disappointing outcomes, there is a sense of urgency among youth activists who feel their mobilization efforts are at risk of being tokenized by those in power. They recognize that true change cannot occur without their voices being integral to decision-making processes. As they prepare for COP30, youth demands will focus on ensuring accountability from developed nations regarding financial commitments and addressing the intersectionality of climate justice with broader social issues such as peace and human rights. 

The fight for climate justice continues; while COP29 may have been a setback, it has galvanized youth activism worldwide. The challenge to the youth and civil society is clear: we must continue to campaign for true climate action, continue to organize in our home countries and mobilize for fossil fuel phaseout, to resolve the climate crisis at its root while providing support with climate finance, demanding the richest nations to pay up. Together, we can work toward a world that prioritises the safety and well-being of everyone, placing people and the planet above power and profit. We demand climate justice and peace: stop war and militarisation!