When COP29 kicked off in Baku, the hosts held out hope that this summit would mark a milestone in the UN’s climate conference history. Instead, it became another grim reminder of how much work remains—and how little is being done. If anything, COP29 will likely be remembered more for its frustrations than for any meaningful progress.
The negotiations themselves were a showcase of squandered opportunities. Consider the ambitious climate financing goal of $1.3 trillion per year from developed nations to combat global warming. This lofty target was quickly abandoned, replaced by a drastically reduced $250 billion—a figure so diminished it felt more like capitulation than compromise. Even this scaled-back commitment sparked disputes among negotiators.
COP29 in Baku: A Global Truce for Climate Action and PeaceTensions flared as the European Union pressed China to increase its financial contributions, exposing the deep divisions between global powers. While China outwardly supported the original $1.3 trillion target—seemingly to align itself with developing nations—it was unwilling to shoulder the financial burden such a pledge would entail. Meanwhile, draft agreements sidestepped critical details like specific country contributions, leaving developing nations understandably enraged.
Mohamed Adow of Power Shift Africa captured this discontent, describing the........