COP29 Opens in Baku Amid Record Heat and Trump's Paris Exit Pledge

Nov 11, 2024, 08:45 AM

The United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, commenced on November 11 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, and will run until November 22, 2024. Delegates from nearly 200 countries have gathered for the two-week event to discuss critical climate issues, including clean energy, climate resilience, and sustainable financing for developing countries. The conference takes place against a backdrop of alarming climate developments; the World Meteorological Organization announced that 2024 is virtually certain to be the hottest year on record, with global temperatures temporarily reaching the crucial 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels. Furthermore, the re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. President has cast a long shadow over the talks, as he has pledged to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement once again and roll back other climate commitments. As world leaders convene in Baku, there is a renewed focus on climate finance, with developing countries pushing for a new collective quantified goal that could involve up to $1 trillion annually, far exceeding the outdated $100 billion target set in 2009. Negotiators are being urged to show that global cooperation is not "down for the count" despite the challenges, aiming to advance the Paris Agreement and secure vital funding for climate action.