COP29: Everything you need to know about the global climate conference that started today in Azerbaijan

2024-11-11 2024-11-11T10:52:43Z

Arab Weather - The Azerbaijani capital, Baku, is scheduled to host the 2024 United Nations Climate Conference (COP 29) next week from November 11 to 22 , where world leaders will make crucial decisions on the growing climate challenges. The conference comes amid growing international calls to rein in the fossil fuel industry, which is considered one of the most prominent sources of environmental pollution.

Wide presence of representatives of countries and organizations during COP29

COP29 is expected to attract between 40,000 and 50,000 delegates, representing UN member states as well as international organizations such as the European Union, NGOs, and climate and human rights activists. Effective participation by local civil society is challenged in Azerbaijan due to government restrictions on media and freedom of expression.

COP29 Objectives

The conference aims to push countries towards taking more effective measures to combat climate change, by reducing emissions and achieving the goal set in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, which is to prevent global temperature rise by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. The conference focuses on measuring progress towards this goal, while emphasizing the importance of helping the most affected countries.

Focus on climate finance

The conference, known as the COP Finance Conference, is a critical opportunity to scale up the financing needed to help low-income countries transition to carbon-neutral economies and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The goal is to reach $1 trillion in annual financing to help developing countries.

Human Rights Issues in Azerbaijan

Restrictions on freedom of expression and human rights in Azerbaijan are of concern to rights groups, including Amnesty International. Activists and journalists face ongoing restrictions and repression, limiting the ability of civil society to engage effectively on environmental and climate issues.

Azerbaijan's record in fossil fuels

Azerbaijan’s economy is heavily dependent on fossil fuel revenues, despite international pressure to phase out these sources. Azerbaijan is a major oil and gas producer, but its plans to expand in this area conflict with its climate commitments, raising questions about its commitment to its COP29 pledges.

Representatives from major oil companies such as Shell and BP are expected to attend the conference, which could pose challenges to attempts to achieve climate justice and reduce the use of fossil fuels.

The #COP29 climate conference is just days away.

Once again, young people are leading the call for #ClimateAction and ambition.

I am on their side.

Together, let's keep fighting for the future they deserve — and the planet humanity needs. pic.twitter.com/2N7Ug2lsgf

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) November 8, 2024

Climate change impacts in 2024

This year, the world has witnessed significant increases in temperatures and natural disasters, highlighting the need for urgent action to address climate change. Indigenous peoples and local communities are suffering from these challenges, which cause massive loss of life and livelihoods and affect global stability.

Amnesty International's demands at COP29

Amnesty International calls for human rights to be put at the heart of climate policies, for climate finance to be boosted to help developing countries transition to clean energy and offset their losses, and for fossil fuels to be phased out fairly and rapidly.