COP29: UN Climate Change Conference

The annual COP (Conference of the Parties) is the highest decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the primary multilateral forum for international climate policy. Here, the 198 signatory states negotiate agreements and assess progress in addressing the climate crisis. We provide an overview of past conferences and the current COP.

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About the COP29

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General information

COP29 will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, 2024 under the motto “In Solidarity for a Green World”
COP30 will take place in Brazil in 2025

Topics and goals

COP29 as a “climate finance COP”: Agreement on a New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance (NCQG) is the most important decision
Article 6: Negotiations on carbon markets to be concluded
Announcements of new national climate protection targets from 2025 (NDCs) are expected

Azerbaijan

With Azerbaijan, an authoritarian, repressive, oil- and gas-exporting state (after Egypt and the UAE) takes over the COP presidency for the third time in a row
Parallel to hosting the conference, the government is cracking down on independent civil society with a new wave of arrests

10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CLIMATE FINANCE IN 2024

COP29: Overview

Flame towers

New goals, old problems: the UN Climate Change Conference COP29 in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is the third authoritarian and repressive petro state in a row to host the COP presidency. The most important issues on the COP29 agenda: the new global goal on climate finance (NCQG) and the negotiations on carbon markets - and for both is true: the climate crisis is a matter of global justice.

By Linda Schneider

Publication

Cover: A change of course On the road to a climate-just world

A change of course. On the road to a climate-just world

Is it utopian to insist on a good life for all in the face of the climate crisis? No more unrealistic than the utopia of endless growth on a finite planet on the backs of the weakest. On the road to a climate-just world” describes ways to create a sustainable world worth living in for everyone - and exposes false hopes and dangerous false solutions.

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COP29: Climate Negotiations

Foto: Eine Gruppe Aktivist*innen sitzt und steht in einer Halle, hält Schilder mit Aufschriften wie „FIGHT BACK“ und „RESIST“ und hebt die Hände.

COP29 Exacerbates Climate Injustice

COP29 was expected to deliver a global goal for climate finance that meets the challenges of the future. It failed to do so. Instead, it launched international carbon markets that create new loopholes for fossil fuel emitters.

By Linda Schneider

COP 26

COP29: Is the Loss and Damage Fund Becoming an Empty Promise?

When the Loss and Damage Fund was created last year, it was hailed as a triumph for climate justice. But it might turn out to be just the opposite, as it not only fails to deliver the support developing countries need to cope with loss and damage, but also provides an excuse not to include such support in new climate-finance goals.

By Liane Schalatek

Zwei Personen stehen vor einer großen, industriellen Anlage mit mehreren Lüftern. Stahlträger und Rohre sind sichtbar.

UN climate talks could undermine precaution on geoengineering called for by the biodiversity convention

UNFCCC negotiations on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement risk legitimising dangerous Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) schemes and undermining precautionary work being undertaken in other UN fora.

By Linda Schneider and Silvia Ribeiro

Modernes Gebäude mit Mustern im Vordergrund, dahinter die drei markanten Hochhäuser der Flame Towers in Baku.

The future of climate justice will be decided in Baku

COP29 in Baku will decide the future of global climate finance. As developing nations demand $1 trillion in annual support, tensions rise over who should contribute and how funds are allocated. Will this summit deliver on the promise of climate justice and equity?

By Liane Schalatek

Überflutete Stadt mit Hochhäusern an einem Fluss. Einige Straßen und Gebäude sind von braunem Wasser bedeckt. Inseln und Brücken im Hintergrund.

Damage caused by climate change: Can the new climate fund deliver what it promises?

The new Loss and Damage Fund (FRLD) aims to support climate-vulnerable countries against escalating damages. Despite meeting setup milestones, key questions on funding scale, the operational model, and access policies remain unresolved. Can the FRLD truly deliver?

By Liane Schalatek

Foto: Großflächige Solarpark-Anlage mit unzähligen Reihen von Solarpaneelen auf einer weitläufigen, trockenen Ebene unter klarem Himmel.

The emissions path for China that will shape our planetary future

China produces more than 30 percent of global emissions. In this article, Adam Tooze explains why the People's Republic's next five-year plan will have a decisive impact on the global climate - and why this is reason for cautious optimism.

By Prof. Dr. Adam Tooze

Foto: Dicht bewaldeter Eukalyptuswald mit hohen, geraden Stämmen und wenigen Ästen. Der Boden ist mit grünem Buschwerk bedeckt.

Land Use in NDCs: A Guide to High Ambition

This guide identifies twelve ‘implementation areas’ in forestry, agriculture, land tenure, and other land uses that should be addressed in nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

Avel Chuklanov / Unsplash

Developing countries need ways to achieve fair and sustainable climate financing

Developing nations face debt burdens that make climate action unaffordable. Comprehensive reform and targeted debt relief are essential to unlock the climate investments these countries urgently need.

By Sarah Ribbert

Demonstrierende mit einem Banner mit der Aufschrift: Pay Up For Climate Finance Now!

In this fateful year of public climate financing, a quantum leap must be made

Climate finance is high on the agenda of this year's international climate negotiations. Climate finance expert Liane Schalatek explains the key sticking points and what civil society calls for.

Küstenansicht mit Booten im flachen Wasser, umgeben von Vögeln. Berge und Wolken im Hintergrund.

Loss and Damage: Who Pays for Climate Change in Central America?

Podcast-Episode

Central America hardly contributes to the climate crisis, but suffers particularly badly from the consequences of it. Now, a new international fund is set to provide direct assistance to affected communities for climate-related losses and damage.

COP29: Human Rights and Regional Perspectives

Photo: A row of police officers in helmets holding back a crowd. Some individuals are shouting, one person wears a vest labeled "Press."

Azerbaijan Greenwashes Authoritarianism at COP29

For the Azerbaijani regime, hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku represents a chance to obscure its poor climate record and relentless attacks on civil society.

By Arzu Geybulla

Baku, Azerbaidjan

The EU and Azerbaijan as Energy Partners: Short-Term Benefits, Uncertain Future

Azerbaijan has strengthened its energy ties with the EU since 2022, ramping up gas deliveries and articulating ambitions to export renewable energy and green hydrogen to Europe in the future. However, the EU’s shrinking gas demand and Azerbaijan’s lack of a genuine decarbonization strategy cast uncertainty on the long-term prospects of this partnership.

By Yana Zabanova

Junge Menschen beim Klimaprotest, eine Person hält ein Schild mit der Aufschrift "There is no planet b" hoch.

Marginalization of the marginalized

The climate crisis affects marginalized communities disproportionately more than others even though they are the least responsible. Reason enough to give them space in the UNFCCC climate negotiations - but the current tendency seems the exact opposite.

By Liliane Pollmann , Srijani Datta and Global Young Greens (GYG)

Baku Cityscape

A Mirror of Political Control: The Struggle for Environmental Participation in Azerbaijan

This article examines the critical issue of public participation in environmental governance in Azerbaijan, focusing on the intricate relationship between environmental procedural rights and political repression, particularly in the context of the country hosting COP29.

By Anonymous Author

Hinter einer schwarzen Silhouette einer Erdölanlage geht an einem gelbem Himmel die Sonner unter

COP29: Azerbaijan’s Quest for International Legitimacy and Funding

As the host country of the COP29 climate conference, authoritarian Azerbaijan wants to improve its international reputation. How should democratic states and international civil society approach the next COP?

By Dr. Sonja Katharina Schiffers

Civil Society Demands Attention to Human Rights and Climate Justice Ahead of COP29 in Azerbaijan

We, the undersigned civil society organizations, movements, groups and individuals, highlight the urgent need to address serious human rights concerns in Azerbaijan in the lead-up to its hosting this year’s United Nations Climate Conference (COP29).

Overview of Past Climate Conferences (COP 2013 - 2023)

Blick aus Luft auf die Skyline von Dubai, dahinter sandige Böden und staubige Luft

COP28: Dubai

Gran Via in Madrid

COP25: Madrid

COP22: Marrakech

COP19: Warsaw

COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh

COP27: Sharm El Sheikh

COP 24

COP24: Katowice

COP21: Paris

Glasgow

COP26: Glasgow

COP23: Bonn

COP20: Lima

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