A rough guide to COP29
COP29, this year’s UN climate summit, will bring together world leaders and climate experts to continue driving forward global climate action.
, this year鈥檚 UN climate summit, will bring together world leaders and climate experts to continue driving forward global climate action.
Picture: 漏 UN COP29
The 29th annual summit of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29 for short) will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11-22 November 2024. This year, a diverse range of scientists, civil society representatives, private companies, NGOs, IGOs, and Heads of State are expected to attend.
Aiming to build on the progress made at COP28 in Dubai last year, this year鈥檚 summit will address critical themes for global climate action. COP29 is shaping up to deliver a packed agenda, offering a platform for collaborative knowledge-sharing and decision-making. Questions have understandably been raised regarding conflicts of interest with COP being held in Baku this year 鈥� a second successive major oil-producing nation playing host to these crucial climate negotiations.
We are campaigning for a more sustainable future and believe that chemistry has a vital role to play. Our work spans many sustainability issues, from climate change, energy and plastics to critical raw materials, across research, design, manufacturing, recycling and waste, education and policymaking.
Read our position statement on climate change, which includes our asks of government and the role of the chemical sciences community in tackling this issue.
A critical moment for climate action
In the lead-up to COP29, thousands of delegates will be preparing for an intensive two weeks of panel sessions and negotiations. Amidst recent news that , COP29 presents an important opportunity for strengthening climate commitments and setting ambitious new targets.
According to the , top climate scientists warn that, unless nations are prepared to imminently deliver 鈥榙ramatically stronger ambition and action鈥�, the Paris Agreement鈥檚 goal of 1.5掳C will be entirely lost. reports that we could otherwise be facing a projected 2.6-3.1掳C rise in average global temperatures this century.
We have called for our economy to be defossilised as part of a just transition to net zero, to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. As an organisation, we are committed to leading the way in taking urgent action to play our part in this transformation, See our Manifesto of Actions
Picture: 漏 UN COP29
In 2021, we joined the , setting the goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, with an interim goal of halving emissions by 2030. As part of the , we have committed to publishing annual progress reports, documenting our journey to net zero.
Why not explore our chemistry and climate change page, where you can find more information, as well as links to previous events and sustainability-themed resources.
COP29: agenda at a glance
Deemed the 鈥楩inance COP鈥�, the first few days of this year鈥檚 summit will focus primarily on climate finance, which covers the budgeting and allocation of financial resources for climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience.
This is an important theme on the topic of climate inequity. While the largest and most powerful economies drive climate change, the impacts are disproportionately felt by the world鈥檚 poorest countries and people.
We expect to see decisions made on the new climate finance goal (known as the New Collective Quantified Goal, NCQG), as well as discussions on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
The new NCQG will replace the old $100 billion annual target, set in 2009, designed to support developing countries in their climate actions. A more ambitious financial framework will help to bridge the gaps in climate finance from 2025 and beyond. The NDCs are post-2020 climate action plans which 鈥� in accordance with the 2015 Paris Agreement 鈥� parties are due to update by early next year.
Also on the agenda, negotiations will work towards agreeing the specifics of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), established by the landmark Paris Agreement. The GGA provides a framework for improving adaptive capacity and resilience, to reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.
Later in the agenda, we are anticipating discussions on important climate themes, with key dates including:
This day will centre on the role of clean energy technologies in supporting climate resilience and recovery, especially for vulnerable communities impacted by climate-related disruptions. At the 欧美AV, we advocate for innovation in sustainable energy solutions, such as advancements in battery technology, green hydrogen and solar materials, to support these global goals. Explore our work on chemistry and climate change to learn more about how we advocate for chemical research in renewable energy. To find out more about solar chemicals, their development and future applications and .
Naturally occurring elements are critical to our daily lives in everyday consumer goods, but some of them have supply chain risks, and the processes needed to mine and refine them can come at considerable environmental cost. As part of a just transition away from fossil fuels, . , such as lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements are vital in renewable technologies industries 鈥� from solar panels, to wind turbines and batteries. With demand outpacing supply, we are advocating for the implementation of a circular economy of materials. See our materials strategy action plan.
Current recycling processes for the recovery of critical minerals in used batteries and other consumer technologies are inadequate. We are calling on the UK government to address this, for more information see our campaign. Find out how we encourage everyone to think more carefully about their e-waste.
As the COP29 agenda turns to science, technology and digital transformation, we would like to showcase chemistry鈥檚 vital role in sustainable development. We believe that chemistry lies at the heart of our move to a more sustainable future. We are calling on the Government to create an ambitious, inclusive and stable R&D policy environment for UK science and innovation.
Long-term, secure funding for scientific research and innovation provides a significant return on investment and drives economic growth. Investment in the chemical sciences is crucial to securing a sustainable future, from advancements in battery technology and green hydrogen, to solar chemicals and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).
See our discovery, research and innovation policy, evidence and campaigns
With themes like health and education, COP29 brings to light the importance of equitable development in climate action. We advocate for a world-class chemistry education for all, to ensure that future generations are well-equipped for the emerging economy. We believe in the importance of accessible routes and equitable pathways through a relevant and adequately resourced school curriculum. This will enable young people to develop the knowledge and skills they need to participate in efforts to tackle climate change and sustainability issues.
See our work on chemistry education policy, evidence and campaigns
Additionally, our initiatives in green chemistry promote safer chemicals and products, reducing public health risks associated with traditional manufacturing and processing methods. Current attempts to address chemical pollution are not working, posing significant threats to the environment and our health. We are urging for senior-level engagement with the chemical sciences community through an intergovernmental science-policy interface to drive forward chemical regulation in the UK and beyond.
Read more about our work to inform chemicals, waste and pollution policy
Water security and sustainable agriculture are crucial to COP29鈥檚 discussions on climate adaptation. At the 欧美AV, we have been leading discussions on chemical regulation to ensure water quality and address the impact of pollutants on agriculture, ecosystems and health. See our recent work on tackling Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in water, a subset of pollutants which are often unregulated and poorly understood. CECs (like toxic chemicals and plastics) in water bodies have concerning health implications, and can significantly impact marine and freshwater ecosystems.
As part of our ongoing #CleanUpPFAS campaign, we are calling on the UK Government to overhaul drinking water standards. Our analysis revealed more than a third of water courses tested in England and Wales contain levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) that would be considered medium or high risk if consumed. PFAS are sometimes referred to as 鈥榝orever chemicals鈥� because they are almost indestructible in the natural environment and our bodies. Some have been linked to a range of serious health conditions in humans. While , government legislation has not yet been passed to reflect that position.
As part of our push for a sustainable chemicals revolution, we have been participating in negotiations to establish a new UN Science-Policy Panel (SPP) on Chemicals, Waste, and the Prevention of Pollution. We believe that this is the best way to strengthen the global science-policy interface and improve strategies for chemicals and waste management.
More details about this process, and recordings of our Burlington Consensus interim meetings
There is no time to waste 鈥� as part of this overhaul, we are calling on the government to form a UK Chemicals Agency.
The penultimate day of COP29 is dedicated to critical themes around nature and biodiversity, indigenous peoples, gender equality, and ocean and coastal zones. This focus allows for a deep dive into intersecting issues crucial to climate resilience and environmental preservation. At the 欧美AV, we are supportive of sustainable practices and scientific research for environmental preservation.
COP29 discussions will emphasise protecting natural habitats, ensuring the rights and involvement of Indigenous communities, promoting gender equality in climate action, and safeguarding ocean and coastal ecosystems that are highly vulnerable to climate impacts.
We continue to foster an inclusive, scientifically informed approach to climate action, and emphasise the role of chemistry in preserving both natural ecosystems and social equity in the face of climate challenges.
Conclusions
The final day of COP29, scheduled for November 22, is dedicated to final negotiations. This day will focus on consolidating key agreements and finalizing the commitments across various agenda items discussed throughout the conference, particularly on global climate finance targets. We hope to see world leaders commit to delivering on ambitious pledges if we are to limit global warming .
For us, COP29 presents an opportunity to further our engagement in global climate policy, advocating for the transformative role of chemistry in addressing climate challenges across energy, technology, health, and environmental resilience.
See our sustainability-focused journals, and related events.