Activists in a sit-down protest with signs calling for better climate finance and loss and damage funding.
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COP29: another climate conference of broken promises and lofty rhetoric

The usual headlines flooded our timelines as the dust settled on high hopes for transformative change from COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan (the glamour on this website is not all gold!) that were met with familiar disappointment as the summit concluded, marked by grandstanding, inadequate pledges, and a stark north-south divide, struggling to deliver the action needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. The urgency of the climate crisis was not just a backdrop but a palpable reality, with some advancements in carbon market regulation and adaptation financing. However, it felt more like an exercise in rhetoric than decisive action, underscoring the urgent need for substantial and immediate climate efforts. 

The “Finance COP” and the uncomfortable truth of inadequate funding

COP29, dubbed the “finance COP,” highlighted the critical role of financial support in tackling the climate crisis. The hypothesis that climate finance could be a game change was very much the hot conversation in Baku. However, the limited progress underscores the danger of viewing finance as a panacea. The uncomfortable conversations that led to the $300 billion deal, a figure far below what is needed, exemplify the developed world’s continued reluctance to fulfill its historical responsibilities. It is important to note that this  $300 billion is a fraction of what is needed to adequately address the climate crisis’s severe impacts, transitioning away from fossil fuels and strengthening defenses against rising sea levels, increasingly severe storms, and prolonged droughts.

Developing nations entered COP29 with a demand for at least $1.3 trillion annually. This amount is the minimum needed to transition away from fossil fuels and strengthen defenses against rising sea levels, increasingly severe storms, and prolonged droughts. Instead, they were offered less than a quarter of that figure, with 69% of the funds structured as loans. This approach exacerbates the debt crisis facing much of the Global South, forcing these countries to choose between repaying foreign creditors and investing in the welfare of their populations. Unfortunately, the world’s largest economies — the United States, China, and the European Union — again evaded their responsibilities. These economic giants are responsible for most historical emissions, yet their financial commitments were minimal, as always.

A closer examination of the key outcomes reveals both progress and persistent challenges:

  •  Climate Finance: The agreed new climate finance goal of at least $300 billion annually by 2035 represents a significant increase from the previous $100 billion target. However, this figure remains far below the $1.3 trillion yearly that developing countries have consistently articulated as necessary. The lack of specific sub-goals for adaptation, loss, and damage and grant-based funding for the most vulnerable countries raises concerns about the quality of financial resources and their equitable and fair distribution.
  • Mitigation Work Programme: The failure to agree on the Mitigation Work Programme (MWP) represents a significant setback. The lack of concrete guidance on how the global stocktake outcomes will be integrated into national climate pledges (NDCs) raises concerns about the MWP’s ability to drive ambitious emissions reductions.
  • The breakdown of negotiations on the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) at COP29 was particularly concerning. A ‘just transition’ refers to the idea that shifting to a low-carbon economy should be fair and not leave workers or communities behind. The JTWP was designed to address this transition’s social and economic implications, ensuring that workers in industries affected by climate policies are not left unemployed and communities dependent on these industries are not left in poverty. The inability to agree on a work plan that effectively addresses these issues undermines efforts to ensure a just and equitable transition for workers and communities.
  • While the global stocktake provided a crucial assessment of progress and underscored the urgent need for accelerated action, the lack of a concrete plan to implement its findings remains a significant concern. However, the decision to defer further discussions on the UAE dialogue to COP30 in Brazil is a potential turning point. This decision nnderscores the lack of political will bandsets the stage for a potentially transformative COP30. It should inspire hope and anticipation for the next steps in the fight against climate change.

People in the UK: learn about COPs and name your contribution to this fight

The ongoing discussions around Conferences of the Parties (COPs) raise several important questions that remain unanswered and warrant deeper exploration. COP stands for “Conference of the Parties,” and it refers to the countries that have signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC. These conferences have been happening annually since 1995, and each one of them builds upon previous agreements and sets new targets for global climate action; the most notable example is the Paris Agreement, adopted at COP21 in 2015, where countries agreed to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably 1.5 degrees, compared to pre-industrial levels., and they serve as a platform for nations to negotiate and collaborate on climate action. Critics argue that these conferences are often bogged down by bureaucracy, political maneuvering, and a lack of accountability.

People in the UK must understand that the decisions made at COPs have real-life consequences for people in the Global South. The lack of concrete commitments and inadequate financial support undermines trust and makes achieving the Paris Agreement goals even more challenging. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. There are specific actions individuals can take to engage actively in the climate movement. This could involve advocating for policy changes, participating in local environmental initiatives, or supporting organizations focused on climate justice. No matter how small, each individual’s action can make a significant difference. So, see what the UK is doing about climate change and hold your elected leaders accountable for their promises and pledges to the Global South.

So, do we need COPs if they continue to be dominated by the interests of petro-states, countries heavily reliant on oil and gas exports? The question itself underscores the growing frustration and disillusionment with the current system. While COPs provide a platform for dialogue and knowledge sharing, their effectiveness is severely hampered by a lack of accountability and the undue influence of powerful nations with vested interests in fossil fuels. The presence of 1770 fossil fuel lobbyists at COP29 illustrated this concerning influence, leading to the postponement of crucial mitigation discussions. The hope is that through continued dialogue, collaboration, and pressure from civil society, COPs can lead to more ambitious and equitable climate action that benefits all nations, especially those most vulnerable to climate change.

“Me Before we”: a roadblock to collective multilateralism

The “me before we” mentality, prioritizing national self-interest over global cooperation, poses a significant obstacle to achieving collective multilateralism. COP29 exemplified this ideology, as developed nations prioritized economic growth over substantial climate finance commitments, leaving vulnerable countries burdened with debt and inadequate support. This perpetuates a system where the global north dictates terms, leaving the global south struggling to adapt and mitigate climate change impacts. A shift towards collective multilateralism requires acknowledging shared interests, emphasizing common ground, and addressing misperceptions that fuel social polarization, where nations act not out of self-preservation but out of a shared commitment to a sustainable future for all. 

Looking ahead to COP30 in Brazil, the time for incrementalism is over.

There’s no better place to see climate solutions come together than the UN climate summit in November 2025 (COP30). This conference is the first summit in the  Amazon Rainforest, which stores billions of tons of greenhouse gases. COP30 presents a crucial opportunity to course-correct and deliver the transformative change needed to address the climate crisis effectively. To achieve this, COP30 must:

  • Centering Equity and Justice: Prioritize the needs and demands of the Global South to shift the focus from incrementalism to transformative action. This entails ensuring equitable representation and decision-making power for developing countries, centering Indigenous voices, and addressing historical injustices through measures like debt cancellation.
  • Operationalizing Climate Finance: Develop a clear and actionable roadmap to achieve the $1.3 trillion annual climate finance goal. This includes specifying clear timelines, prioritizing grants over loans, improving funding accessibility and predictability, and establishing specific sub-goals for adaptation, loss and damage, and the most vulnerable nations.
  • Delivering on a Just Transition: Agree on a robust and comprehensive Just Transition Work Programme that outlines clear steps to ensure a socially and economically just transition. This includes prioritizing decent work creation, protecting workers’ rights, supporting communities reliant on fossil fuels, and ensuring that the benefits of the green economy are shared equitably.
  • Moving Beyond COPs: Acknowledge the limitations of the current COP system and explore alternative models of global cooperation that prioritize equity, justice, and rapid action. This includes strengthening south-south collaboration, empowering local and regional climate initiatives, and establishing mechanisms for holding countries accountable for their commitments.

Meaningful Children’s Engagement in COP Processes

 I could not go without stressing the imperative of using  COP30  to set the pace for more meaningful children’s engagement in these processes, which UNICEF and its partners termed a COP fit for children. The future of our planet hinges on the actions we take today, engagement of children in COP processes is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity. Children are not merely passive recipients of the impacts of climate change; they are powerful agents of change, capable of driving innovation and demanding accountability; as a child rights advocate and child development student, I do not feel it’s right to have children with adult humans in a diverse space like COP together with no clear structures and safety mechanisms. 

The Baku deal: a bridge to transformative action at COP30?

The $300 billion pledge, while significantly insufficient, does represent a step forward. This deal mustn’t be viewed as an end but as a foundation to build more ambitious and equitable climate finance mechanisms. COP30 in Brazil must leverage the Baku deal to push for:

  • A Clear Roadmap to $1.3 Trillion: Developing countries, already burdened by climate impacts and a legacy of colonialism and economic exploitation, are rightfully demanding more fantastic financial support. The “Baku to Belém roadmap to $1.3tn” should outline tangible steps and commitments to reach this target.
  • Grant-Based Funding: While potentially helpful, loans burden developing countries with debt. COP30 must prioritize grant-based funding to ensure equitable access to finance.
  • Accountability Mechanisms: Without precise mechanisms to ensure that pledged funds are delivered and used effectively, trust in the system will continue to erode.

The world is at a critical juncture. The science is precise, the impacts are accelerating, and the window for action is rapidly closing 2024 was the hottest year on record. Yet, 2025 pauses significant threats, too. While COP29 showcased some progress, it ultimately demonstrated the inadequacy of the current system in delivering the required scale and pace of change. As we move towards COP30 in Brazil, we must shift from a compromise paradigm to transformation. This requires a fundamental reorientation of priorities, power dynamics, and approaches to global cooperation. Failure to act decisively just exacerbates catastrophic consequences, particularly for the most vulnerable communities and ecosystems.


Darren Namatovu is an environmental educator and grassroots organizer from Uganda. She is the founder and executive director of the Phoenix Children Foundation, and attended COP29 to advocate for energy democracy and climate justice.