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Climate Action From Geneva To Baku | UN Climate Change Conference COP29

Last updated: 05 Dec 2024

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The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference – UNFCCC COP29 – took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 24 November 2024. This page provides updates on the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference and the involvement of International Geneva.

UN Climate Change Conference (COP29)

The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference – UNFCCC COP29 – took place in Baku, Azerbaijan. Intially scheduled to last from 11 to 22 November 2024, it concluded on Sunday 24 November, at 5:31 AM.

COP29 marked an important moment ahead of the unveiling of the new generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) at COP30, which will inform if the world is on track to meet the Paris Agreement targets. Among the main deliverables in terms of negotiated outcomes were the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG), a new global climate finance goal that the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA) shall set from a floor of USD 100 billion per year, prior to 2025. COP29 was expected to reach a final decision on Paris Agreement Art. 6 (6.2 & 6.4) with technical negotiations that could unlock the potential of carbon markets. Other notable items on the agenda include the  Just Transition Work Program, the global goal on adaptation, gender and the host institution for the Loss and Damage Fund.

The Bonn Climate Change Conference, held from 3 to 13 June 2024, took “modest steps forward” leaving a vast number of issues to be tackled at COP29, nonetheless, progress was made on the NCQG, adaptation indicators, a better functioning international carbon market, laying the groundwork for COP29. →  Find out more in the Report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on its sixtieth session, held in Bonn from 3 to 13 June 2024. Addendum. Draft decision forwarded for consideration and adoption by the Conference of the Parties (FCCC/SBSTA/2024/7/Add.1), the UN Climate Change Press Release, and the ENB Summary

COP29 Official Website
Host Country Website

Relevant Outcomes and Highlights

At closure, COP29 reached agreement on:

Agreement was not reached on the dialogue on the implementation of the outcomes of the Global Stocktake and on the just transition work programme. Discussions will continue at the Subsidiary Bodies’ sessions in June 2025.

While some delegations applauded the deal, others from developing countries, including India, Bolivia and Nigeria, expressed their deep disappointment at what they argued was an “insultingly low” financing target. Reacting to the outcomes, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that while an agreement at COP29 was essential to keep the 1.5-degree limit alive, “I had hoped for a more ambitious outcome – on both finance and mitigation – to meet the great challenge we face.” Looking ahead, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen insisted that “The road to Belém (COP30) must be one of concerted action and living up to commitments. There is no other way.” Additional reflections on the outcomes include:

Declarations at COP29

COP 29 Presidential Action Agenda – Global Initiatives

COP Presidencies Troika

The first Global Stocktake (GST) held during COP28 clarified that the world is off-track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. As a consequence, Parties rallied behind a shared understanding of the gaps in global climate action and delivered a unified vision for course correction to keep 1.5°C within reach. The unprecedented urgency in this critical decade to scale climate action across all pillars of the Paris Agreement requires a renewed impulse towards implementation of Parties’ decisions under the UNFCCC process, while supporting nationally determined ambition. It is in this context that the first GST mandated the “Roadmap to Mission 1.5” through which the COP Presidencies Troika has been established.

With the Troika, the UAE, Azerbaijan, and Brazil – Presidencies of COP28, COP29 and COP30 respectively – aim to build continuity and coherence between Presidencies to ensure momentum going from Dubai Conference into Baku COP in 2024 and beyond into Belem COP in 2025, through an innovative and strategic partnership that can help Parties move from negotiated texts to action and implementation, in order to help put into action what we all have agreed multilaterally. This will include joint initiatives and activities focused on enhanced climate action. At the same time, the Troika will seek to enhance consistency and coherency of existing mechanisms within and outside the UNFCCC process by creating a shared platform for action and set of activities, coordinating, and building on existing Presidency initiatives, and advocacy on submissions of 1.5°C – aligned NDCs by early 2025.

COP29 Thematic Programme

Side Events & Exhibits
COP29 Documents

Key Reports at COP29

Key Resources and News at COP29

COP29 Parallel Events

Ahead of the 2024 UN Climate Change Conferences, various preparatory and parallel events are taking place:

19th Conference of Youth (COY19)

The 19th Conference of Youth (COY19), the annual UN Climate Change Conference parallel event organized by the official children and youth constituency of the UNFCCC, YOUNGO, took place from 7 to 9 November 2024.

Youth-led Climate Forum

The Youth-led Climate Forum (YCF) aims to ensure that the voices of young people are not only heard, but also vital to the process of policy making. The forum was articulated in five thematic sessions during the first week of COP29 and a headline event on the first day of week 2.

  • New Collective Qautified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) | 13 November 2024
  • Advocating for Health and Educational Equity: The Role of Children and Youth in Climate Action | 14 November 2024
  • Youth Perspectives on Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Water Resource Management | 15 November 2024
  • NDC 3.0 | 15 November 2024
  • Climate Mobility and Loss and Damage | 16 November 2024
  • Headline Event | 18 October 2024

International Geneva at COP29

Climate change is deeply linked to biodiversity loss, human rights, economic prosperity, trade, health, and many other issues at the heart of multilateral processes in Geneva. These multilateral processes can be used to foster international cooperation on climate change. Below is a list of Geneva-based organizations and their engagement at COP29.

Adaptation at Altitute Programme

Adaptation at Altitude was be at COP29 supporting and co-organizing side events.

CIEL

At COP29, CIEL experts monitored and engaged in negotiations, particularly at the intersection of climate justice, human rights, and the role of the fossil fuel industry.

DCAF

DCAF participated in several events at the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku.

Community of Practice on Environment, Climate, Conflict, and Peace

The ECCP was at COP29 to raise awareness about the importance of peace and conflict sensitivity in climate change negotiations. In preparation, it developed policy recommendations for COP29 and launched Common Principles for Effective Climate Finance and Action for Relief, Recovery, and Peace on 15 November 2024.

EMG

EMG hosted a COP29 high-level roundtable to strengthen coordination within the UN system.

FAO

FAO is supporting the COP29 Presidency organizing a comprehensive programme on Food, Agriculture and Water Day on 19 November, at which the COP29 Presidency with the support of FAO launched the Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers.

As co-host of the Food and Agriculture Pavilion for the third consecutive year and key partner of the Water for Climate Pavilion.

FES

To ensure that Just Transition and climate justice enjoy the highest priority at COP29, FES is at COP29.

GANHRI

GANHRI was at COP29 to hold the NHRI Symposium on Climate Change and Human Rights, on 13 November,  bolstering NHRI involvement and collaboration with peers and partners, in climate-related human rights work across a broad, cross-sectoral range of areas. The symposium offered a platform for NHRIs, civil society organizations (CSOs), and experts to exchange insights, showcase best practices, and address challenges and opportunities in integrating human rights into climate action.

ICRC

At COP29 ICRC urges parties to the UNFCCC and the governing bodies of the Conference of Parties (COP) to make three commitments to ensure that people enduring armed conflict are not left behind:

IEC

At COP29, IEC is partnering with ISO and UL Standards and Engagement (ULSE) to promote the use of standards as effective tools for implementing climate action at the Standards Pavilion.

IISD

IISD followed closely COP29 discussions, offering support to negotiations and delivering daily reports on the decisions shaping global climate action.

ILO

At COP29, the ILO highlights that enforcing labour rights in the climate change context is essential for just transition policies. The ILO in partnership with the European Union, is establishing a Just Transition Pavilion at COP29.

Follow the ILO Live at COP29 & read ILO Key Messages for COP29

IOE

IOE hosted the Employers’ Green Skills Pavilion in the COP29 Blue Zone and represented employers in various discussions, high-level events and at the ILO Just Transition Pavilion.

IOM

IOM was at COP29 hosting the Climate Change and Human Mobility Pavilion Programme and providing key messages on the links between climate and migration.

IPCC

The IPCC had a strong presence at COP29 including participation in the World Leaders Climate Action Summit on 12 November, in the Earth Information Day event and at the opening of the 2024 Annual High-Level Ministerial Round Table on the pre-2030 Ambition. The “Science for Climate Action” pavilion had have a rich program of approximately 40 scientific panels and events. IPCC´s contribution to the programme is designed to serve as a “toolbox” for the delegations and participants of the conference regarding IPCC’s work in the seventh assessment cycle.

ISO

At COP29 ISO showcased how International Standards are key to transform ambitious climate commitments into concrete, measurable actions.

ITC

As the United Nation’s small business agency, ITC has planned a number of engagements at COP29, all seeking to include micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the global climate talks.

ITU

The Green Digital Action track focused on fostering wider partnerships, securing new commitments, and engaging global leaders to advance the use of sustainable technology and build climate resilience. ITU supported the first-ever Digitalisation Day.

IUCN

As Parties convene in Baku, there is an urgent need to accelerate progress across all the pillars of the Paris Agreement – particularly finance – guided by the latest science and building on the outcome of the landmark first global stocktake concluded last year.

IPU

The IPU, in partnership with the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, convened parliamentarians from around the world for a Parliamentary Meeting on 16 and 17 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan during COP29, the annual UN Climate Change Conference.

Platform on Disaster Dispacement

The Platform on Disaster Displacement was at COP29 to share its messages and expertise on the interconnections between displacement and human mobility relating to disasters and the adverse impacts of climate change. Read the key messages to learn more.

Convention on Wetlands

The Convention strived to make sure that wetlands are incorporated in national climate strategies, showing their dual role in supporting biodiversity and reducing the impact of climate change while also helping to halt climate change.

TESS

TESS was at COP29 co-organizing sessions at the Trade and Investment House Pavilion.

UN CC:Learn

UN CC:Learn developed the COP29 Climate Classroom, a short, interactive learning experience designed to help those attending or following climate meetings get quickly up-to-speed on important climate issues.

UNDRR

Aligned with the two-pillar vision for COP 29 – Enhance Ambition, and Enable Action, UNDRR calls to achieve Zero Climate Disasters.

UNECE

UNECE wase fully engaged at COP29 to support urgently-needed climate action, leveraging cooperation and practical resources in key areas. It participated in over 50 events among which the launch event of the Third Environmental Performance Review of Kyrgyzstan and the Third Environmental Performance Review of Azerbaijan.

UNEP

UNEP was at COP29 supporting various pavilions and participating in discussions.

UNEP FI

At COP29, UNEP FI mobilized its extensive network of over 500 banks, insurers, and investors to emphasize the essential role of finance in climate action.

OHCHR

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Human Rights Council (HRC) work to highlight the links between climate change and human rights and call for a rights-based approach to guide global climate change policies and action

UN Page

At the ILO Just Transition Pavilion at COP29, PAGE and its partners are putting forward the debate on a just transition for all to enhance ambition and to build the required social consensus for implementing bold climate measures.

PreventionWeb

Prevention Web collects content produced for COP29 by the Disaster Risk Reduction community.

UN Trade and Development

UN Trade and Development was at COP29 supporting various initiatives including the Presidency-led Baku Initiative for Climate Finance, Investment and Trade (BICFIT) and the Trade and Investment House together with WTO, ICC and ITC.

We Mean Business Coalition

We Mean Business Coalition hosted the Business Pavilion at COP29 this year.  Similar to previous years, the Pavilion played a pivotal role as a central hub for sponsors to position business leadership on their priority topics.

WBCSD

WBCSD was at COP29 to enable the translation of policy and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) into real business action. The focus is to make sure that climate, nature, and equity are interconnected in the discussions and decision making.  

WHO

The COP29 Azerbaijan Presidency is working closely with WHO and other partners on a number of health-related initiatives. WHO hosted the COP29 Health Pavilion in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust and the health community.

WMO

WMO supports the UNFCCC with latest scientific evidence on climate change and hosted the WMO-IPCC-MERI Science for Climate Action Pavilion where events will be dedicated to Early Warnings for All by 2027 , Climate science and services for Climate Action, Global Greenhouse Gas Watch, Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), Water and Climate Interdependencies.

WTO

WTO Secretariat supported trade-focused events at COP29. Together with the COP29 Presidency, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Trade Centre (ITC), UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), WTO hosted the Climate Finance, Investment and Trade (FIT) Day on 14 November 2024 and the Trade and Investment House together with ICC, ITC and UN Trade and Environment.

WWF

WWF was at COP29, expecting the conference to deliver on finance and energy.

Zoï Environment Network

Zoï Environment Network was at COP29 supporting and co-organizing side events.

Geneva stakeholders were engaged in hundreds of events, including in pavilions led or co-led by Geneva stakeholders: Health Pavilion | ILO Just Transition Pavilion | IOM Climate Change and Human Mobility Pavilion | Employers’ Green Skills Pavilion | ITU Green Digital Action track events | Trade and Investment House | Standards Pavilion | Business Pavilion | Buildings and Cooling Pavilion | Faith Pavilion | WWF COP29 Pavilion

Mobilizing Climate Actors in International Geneva

Events

Events taking place in Geneva in preparation for COP29 are listed below.

Beyond COP29: Youth Impact & Rethinking Climate Policy

27 November 2024

Official Ceremony for the Endorsement of the Geneva Pledge for Gender-Responsive Climate Action

7 November 2024

UNCTAD report on The New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance: quantitative and qualitative elements

4 November 2024

UN Trade and Development

Cop29: Can countries unlock new climate finance?

4 November 2024

Geneva Solutions, Geneva Press Club

Announcement of COP29 Health Initiatives

23 October 2024

WHO

Briefing on the Trade Days organized at both United Nations biodiversity and climate change conferences, CBD COP16 and COP29

17 October 2024

UN Trade and Development

The important role of agrifood systems across the Rio Convention Conference of Parties to the United Nations CBD, UNFCCC, and UNCCD

9 October 2024

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Liaison Office in Geneva

COP29 briefing | UNECE Sustainable Energy Week

20 September 2024

UNECE, COP29 Presidency

COP29 Information Session | WTO Public Forum

13 September 2024

WTO, COP29 Presidency

Announcement of COP29 Health Initiatives

12 September 2024

WHO

Consultation with the Health Community on the COP29 Special Report on Climate Change and Health

4 September 2024

WHO

Preparing for COP29: Inter-parliamentary dialogue on climate change

11 June 2024

Inter-Parliamentary Union

Human Rights in Azerbaijan ahead of UNFCCC COP29 | HRC55 Side Event

21 March 2024

Institute for Human Rights

Media and Civil Society Under Pressure ahead of COP29 in Azerbaijan

15 March 2024

Human Rights House Foundation

COP28 debrief on relevant outcomes and the road to COP29

12 March 2024

UN Trade and Development

Who to Follow on X (Twitter)

#COP29 

→ To dive into COP29 negotiations watch the live webcast, catch up with the UNFCCC updates, follow the Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily coverage, or read the Climate Action Network International (CAN) ECO Newsletter @ COP29.