The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP29, is currently underway in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, 2024. Here are some key trends and developments:
- **Health and Climate Action**: A significant milestone was achieved with the establishment of the Baku COP Presidencies Continuity Coalition for Climate and Health. This coalition, co-led by Azerbaijan, Brazil, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to integrate health considerations into climate policies[4].
- **Climate Finance**: Discussions are centered on securing and prioritizing climate funding, with a focus on setting a new climate finance goal to replace the former $100 billion target. The conference emphasizes the need for deep, rapid, and sustained emission reductions to keep temperatures under 1.5°C[1][3].
- **Transportation and Logistics**: Baku has implemented a comprehensive transport management plan to minimize traffic during the conference, including dedicated COP29 fleets, complimentary shuttles, and adjusted public bus routes[2].
- **Political Dynamics**: The conference has seen contrasting views from U.S. representatives. While Biden administration officials and Democrats have pledged to continue the transition to renewable energy, a delegation of House Republicans has aggressively supported fossil fuels, signaling potential future policy shifts[5].
- **Global Participation**: The conference has near universal membership, with 198 parties (197 countries plus the European Union) participating. However, Papua New Guinea has boycotted the summit, criticizing it as a "total waste of time"[1].
COP29 is crucial for advancing global climate action, with a focus on integrating health considerations, securing climate finance, and managing logistical challenges. The conference's outcomes will set the stage for future climate policies and actions.