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More than 50,000 delegates have descended upon Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 29th United Nations climate conference, where discussions will center on reducing carbon emissions and securing financial commitments from industrialized nations to support developing countries.
Notable climate activist Greta Thunberg has opted to skip COP29, criticizing the host nation Azerbaijan through BBC, stating they “has no ambition to take climate action” and dismissing the event as “greenwashing.”
Happening Now: Swedish environmental activist @GretaThunberg is protesting COP29, which is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from Tbilisi, Georgia 🇬🇪
📸 Mindia Gabadze/@Publika_ge pic.twitter.com/gIqOPEZOk6
— PUBLIKA (@Publika_ge) November 11, 2024
The conference’s primary objective is to negotiate a massive increase in climate finance for developing nations, targeting up to $1 trillion annually, a significant jump from the previous $100 billion goal.
“We are asking for the down payment of a very large debt – a down payment of $5tn [a year],” said Tasneem Essop, executive director of Climate Action Network, global alliance of more than 1900 civil society organisations in over 130 countries.
Proponents argue that wealthy nations, having built their prosperity through fossil fuel consumption, should financially support developing countries in adopting cleaner technologies and managing climate-related disasters.
“We know the debt is much larger, but $5tn is what we come here to demand,” Essop told the Guardian.
The conference occurs amid uncertainty about U.S. climate commitments, with President-elect Trump’s promised withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement looming over proceedings.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has organised a demonstration against the #COP29 summit in Baku with Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Georgian activists. pic.twitter.com/Fo5C6AdJSF
— OC Media (@OCMediaorg) November 11, 2024
U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell addressed participants, emphasizing that “Now is the time to show that global cooperation is not down for the count.” He further cautioned wealthy nations against viewing climate finance as charitable giving, stating, “An ambitious new climate finance goal is entirely in the self-interest of every nation, including the largest and wealthiest.”
The two-week summit, running from November 11 to 22, expects to host over 51,000 attendees.
