17 september 2024 : The COP29 Presidency has introduced a new action agenda seeking global support for non-negotiated partnerships aimed at speeding up climate action. This agenda complements the core programme of the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference, to be held in Baku from November 11 to 22. In a letter addressed to stakeholders, COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev outlined initiatives spanning key areas like energy, finance, agriculture, cities, and climate resilience, underscoring the interconnected nature of these sectors.
Notable initiatives include the Baku Initiative on Climate Finance (BICFIT), which focuses on boosting investment and trade to address climate resilience. Additionally, the Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) aims to create healthier, more resilient cities, while the Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF) proposes voluntary contributions from fossil fuel producers to fund climate adaptation and disaster relief in developing nations.
The COP29 Presidency’s efforts emphasize transparency, with draft texts being shared for feedback. The overarching goal is to inspire every actor to take action, no matter how small, as every fraction of a degree in temperature rise makes a difference. However, there remain ongoing challenges in securing agreement on key issues, such as establishing a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) for the post-2025 period. Developed nations are pushing for more contributors, while developing countries argue that the funding should flow from wealthier nations, as stipulated by the Paris Agreement.
Babayev’s reminder that “every action matters” resonates with those who understand the power of individual efforts—whether in the world of climate action or the simple act of sparking positive change, a message that might echo through many challenges beyond climate itself.