The UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) takes place on November 11-22, 2024, in Azerbaijan, a country known for its challenging human rights situation, allegations of corruption and a heavy dependence on oil and natural gas. The choice of venue for talks focused on conquering climate change and on the Paris climate targets that have thus far been implemented may at first seem contradictory. But it provides an opportunity to clearly illustrate the tensions between fossil fuel dependency and global climate goals.
The negotiations will focus on the question of financing global climate protection – a decisive building block of climate justice. There are significant differences among the participating countries on the issue. Additionally, it remains unclear whether enough countries will strengthen their climate action plans – or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – by the beginning of 2025 to ensure that the 1.5-degree target remains feasible. Time is of the essence: Thus far, only very few countries have established concrete plans.
Additional core objectives are:
The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), which is closely linked to Social Democracy and to the labor union movement, places a particular emphasis on a socially just transformation, the so-called Just Transition. For all negotiation topics, we examine the extent to which climate policy adheres to the requirements of social justice. The Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) agreed to at COP28 in Dubai now requires clear, measurable targets. The definition of such objectives is an urgent task.
To ensure that Just Transition and climate justice enjoy the highest priority at COP29, we are on site with an international delegation of 40 partner organizations from civil society and trade unions. These agents of change contribute important voices and perspectives from the Global South to the negotiations in addition to strengthening both the exchange of views and networking. As such, they pave the way for a socially just transition.
In addition, we are organizing side events and sessions at the COP29 venue to drive the discussion on these key issues and draw attention to their urgency. An overview of some of our side events:
Monday, November 18th, 11:30-12:30 Azerbaijan Time (AZT) & Livestream, ILO Pavilion:
Fixing Just Energy Transition Partnerships: how to make JETPS truly inclusive, socially just and sustainable
Tuesday, November 19th, 12:00 – 13:30 Azerbaijan Time (AZT) & Livestream, German Pavilion:
Implementing the COP28 Energy Package: African Perspectives and opportunities for SDG7
Wednesday, November 20th, 11:30—13:00 Azerbaijan Time (AZT), SIDE EVENT:
Climate, Care and Gender
Thursday, November 21st, 14:00 – 15:00 Azerbaijan Time (AZT), UNIDO Pavilion:
Advocacy and Activism for a Just Energy Transition
Yvonne Blos, our expert on international climate and energy policy, is accompanying the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung'sinternational delegation to the World Climate Conference in Azerbaijan. She combines expertise from different regions at the global level and, together with our regional climate experts, contributes to Just Transition and climate justice playing a stronger role in international climate policy.
On this topic page FES@COP29, you will find information about the World Climate Conference, our positions and perspectives from the Global South.
#COP29 #UNFCCC #JustTransition #ClimateAction #ClimateJustice
Yvonne Blos
Policy Officer for International Energy and Climate Change Policy
Yvonne.Blos(at)fes.de
Irène Sabarly Organization
Irene.Sabarly(at)fes.de
Zina Arvanitidou
Communications
zina.arvanitidou(at)fes.de
Which role does COP29 play in your region?
COP29 provides an important the opportunity to further develop our work on climate justice in sub-Saharan Africa. The exchange with African civil society and trade unions makes it possible to incorporate their perspectives and solutions directly into our projects and to represent their concerns more strongly in global climate policy.
Which topics are particularly important for COP29?
Our focus is on “Adaptation Finance” and “Loss and Damage” meaning financial support for climate adaptation and addressing losses and damages. For many African countries, it is essential that sufficient funds are pledged and that fair access to them is ensured.
Which expectations do you have for your region regarding COP29?
We expect that the countries of the Global North will fulfill their responsibility and make reliable funding commitments. The people in sub-Saharan Africa are already experiencing the climate crisis as a daily reality.
Which role does COP29 play in your region?
For the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, COP29 represents a valuable opportunity to bring our work on a just energy transition in Asia to the global stage. It allows us to spotlight regional challenges and highlight the approaches and concerns of our partners. Our experts actively contribute to global debates, bringing progressive perspectives from Southeast Asia..
Which topics are particularly important for COP29?
Key issues from our perspective include a just transition in energy and access to climate finance. It’s essential that the Asian region’s response to climate change is not only sustainable but also socially just.
Which expectations do you have for your region regarding COP29?
Therefore, our expectations for COP29 are clear: we need concrete, actionable commitments that strengthen regional initiatives and support the climate ambitions of Asian countries, without compromising social justice.
Which role does COP29 play in your region?
Decarbonization, competitiveness and security - the EU is pursuing these three goals in both domestic and foreign policy. This requires strategic partnerships worldwide and consistent “green” diplomacy. The COP will be a litmus test of how well it is already positioned.
Which topics are particularly important for COP29?
The COP29 Presidency has proposed three key global initiatives that will play a role in our region: Hydrogen Action; Green Energy Zones; Energy Storage and Grids. In addition, the EU is pushing for greater participation of economically strong countries such as China and the Gulf States in the central topic of this year's COP, global financing for climate action.
Which expectations do you have for your region regarding COP29?
An agreement on financing would be important, but is rather unlikely. At the same time, the focus in Brussels is currently very much on issues such as strengthening strategic industries and safeguarding jobs. Brussels is also still in the process of confirming the candidates for the top positions in the new EU Commission. At the same time, Trump's US election victory will play an important role for the future climate agenda and will certainly also influence the EU's appearance at the COP.
Which role does COP29 play in your region?
There is little interest in COP29 among our project partners in Latin America; the focus is already on COP30 in Brazil. We are therefore only sending a small delegation of long-standing partners from civil society, parliament and trade unions to Baku, who will report on the progress and results and be available to our project partners as contacts.
Which topics are particularly important for COP29?
From our point of view, COP29 will focus on key issues: the socially oriented energy transition, just transition and the role of local groups, especially indigenous groups. In view of the demand for raw materials such as lithium and copper for the energy transition in the Global North, environmental and human rights movements are concerned about the expansion of environmentally harmful mining.
Which expectations do you have for your region regarding COP29?
Expectations for COP29 are low. As in previous years, the conference is being held in a country that relies on fossil fuels and restricts the scope for civil society. Climate conferences are important for the participation and networking of NGOs. It is eagerly awaited how Brazil will position itself within the troika as the next venue for COP in 2025.
Which role does COP29 play in your region?
COP29 is a crucial platform for us to highlight regional issues. Especially in the Middle East and North Africa, where water scarcity and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, we must ensure these challenges are heard. On a regional level, we are working to place social justice at the core of climate policy - there will be no sustainable solution without fair transitions.
Which topics are particularly important for COP29?
Climate justice is our top priority. The countries that have contributed the least to climate change are suffering the most. While we advocate for the expansion of renewable energy, it is equally important to address the social impacts of the climate crisis. There needs to be more support for adapting to the consequences of climate change.
Which expectations do you have for your region regarding COP29?
We expect clear commitments for funding climate adaptation measures in our region. It cannot just be about promises but concrete actions. Additionally, we hope that the voices of the most affected regions will carry more weight.
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the annual meeting of the member states of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC was adopted at the UN Environmental and Development Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and the parties have met to discuss answers and solutions to fighting climate change multilaterally and at international level since 1995. Particularly far-reaching climate policy decisions were taken at the third COP (COP3) in Kyoto, known as the Kyoto Protocol, and at COP21 in Paris, which resulted in the Paris Agreement.
