xx

By Faridat Salifu

The COP29 Presidency has officially released the final versions of nine Declarations and Pledges designed to bolster climate action ahead of the UN climate summit scheduled for November in Baku, Azerbaijan.

These documents, part of the COP29 Action Agenda, offer a comprehensive framework for nations and stakeholders to align on key climate priorities, as global efforts to mitigate climate change gain urgency.

Unveiled on Monday, October 21, 2024, the final texts mark a significant milestone in the lead-up to COP29. The Declarations and Pledges, which emerged from extensive public consultation, are aimed at catalysing action across critical sectors such as energy, digitalisation, methane reduction, and water resource management. While not part of the formal UNFCCC negotiation process, these initiatives serve as a blueprint for global cooperation and ambition.

Among the nine key initiatives is the COP Truce Appeal, which draws inspiration from the Olympic Truce. It calls for a cessation of conflicts during the COP29 period to reduce military emissions and underscore the vital link between peace and climate action. The Appeal has already garnered support from 127 countries and over 1,100 non-state actors, underscoring the growing recognition of the interplay between conflict and climate change.

Driving Global Climate Ambition

The Declarations and Pledges are central to COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev’s vision of enhancing global climate ambition. Babayev emphasised the role of these initiatives in sending strong market signals, directing financial resources, and fostering shared responsibility among nations and non-state actors.

“These Declarations and Pledges are critical instruments to drive forward climate progress,” Babayev stated. “They provide clear pathways for enhanced action and serve as vital complements to the ongoing formal negotiations. I urge all parties and stakeholders to endorse these texts as a means of building momentum toward achieving the Paris Agreement goals.”

One of the flagship pledges—the Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge—aims to increase global energy storage capacity by sixfold, targeting 1,500 gigawatts by 2030. It also includes a commitment to upgrade 25 million kilometres of energy grids by the same year, addressing the infrastructure challenges that have hindered the energy transition in many countries.

Targeting Key Sectors for Climate Action

The COP29 Action Agenda includes a variety of sector-specific initiatives. The Hydrogen Declaration aims to unlock the potential of clean hydrogen markets, addressing regulatory and technological barriers. The Declaration on Green Digital Action focuses on accelerating emission reductions in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, promoting the adoption of climate-positive digital solutions.

Waste management and methane reduction are also at the forefront of COP29’s agenda. The Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste sets quantified targets for reducing methane emissions from waste and food systems, aligning national climate policies with global methane reduction goals.

In the tourism sector, the Declaration on Enhanced Action outlines sectoral targets to reduce emissions and promote resilience, pushing for greater transparency and sustainable practices in tourism-related food systems.

The importance of water in climate mitigation and adaptation is underscored in the Declaration on Water for Climate Action, which calls for integrated approaches to water management. It also launches the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action, designed to ensure continuity in water-related climate efforts across future COP summits.

Building Foundations for Future Progress

As the world prepares for COP29, the Presidency’s final texts reflect an inclusive process, integrating insights from diverse stakeholders.

The goal is to ensure these Declarations and Pledges act as catalysts for real-world action, encouraging nations to integrate them into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and national policies.

“The final texts are the product of extensive collaboration and consultation,” Babayev noted. “This process has demonstrated the power of inclusive dialogue in shaping our collective response to the climate crisis. These initiatives, particularly the COP Truce Appeal, highlight the interconnectedness of peace and climate action—key to protecting the most vulnerable.”

As COP29 approaches, attention will turn to how these Declarations and Pledges will be integrated into broader global efforts. The COP29 Presidency has also announced plans for Presidency-hosted events during the summit, designed to foster further dialogue and facilitate the formal launch of these initiatives.

While the Declarations and Pledges are not part of the formal UNFCCC negotiation process, they are seen as complementary tools that provide additional pathways for commitment, particularly for non-state actors whose role in climate action is becoming increasingly significant.

With the final texts now published, stakeholders have the opportunity to review and endorse these documents ahead of their official launch at COP29 in November.

As the international community gathers in Baku, the hope is that these initiatives will help accelerate progress toward the goals set out in the Paris Agreement, offering a tangible path forward in the fight against climate change.