The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP29, concluded on November 22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The conference, which ran from November 11 to 22, brought together representatives from nearly 200 countries to discuss and negotiate global climate action.
Key highlights from COP29 include:
- **Strengthening Ambitions**: The conference emphasized the need to cap global warming at 1.5°C, with leaders stressing the urgency of deep, rapid, and sustained emission reductions[1][3].
- **Climate Finance**: Discussions focused on setting a new climate finance goal to replace the former $100 billion target and fully activating the Loss and Damage fund to support vulnerable communities[1].
- **Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)**: Countries were encouraged to update their NDCs, outlining their plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change impacts[1].
- **Carbon Markets**: Finalizing guidelines for carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement was another critical agenda item[1].
The choice of Azerbaijan as the host country was controversial due to its status as a major oil and gas producer and concerns over corruption and authoritarian governance[1]. Despite these challenges, the conference aimed to foster global cooperation and commitment to climate action.
The event featured two main zones: the Blue Zone for official negotiations and the Green Zone, a public area showcasing climate-related products and services[1]. The conference venue, Baku Olympic Stadium, welcomed around 80,000 attendees, including senior government officials and international organizations[1].
COP29 marked a crucial step in the global effort to combat climate change, with the next conference, COP30, scheduled to take place in Belém, Brazil, in 2025[1][4].