1 Month to COP on the Steppe
Keeping you updated about the COP on the Steppe!
Welcome to the fifth edition of our COP29 newsletter! As Baku gears up for this historic climate conference, we're here to keep you informed with the latest updates, insights, and news leading up to the event.
Stay tuned for more updates as we cover the key developments surrounding COP29 and its potential impact on the region and beyond.
Countdown to the COP: 1 Month to go!
Insights:
At COP29, one of the critical areas of focus is the harmonization of financial mechanisms for loss and damage. This is essential to ensure that vulnerable nations can access funds through structures like the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF), providing them with the necessary resources to adapt to and recover from climate-related impacts. With developing countries calling for up to $1 trillion annually in climate finance, the summit underscores the urgency of securing substantial financial commitments to meet global climate goals and assist nations most affected by climate change.
In parallel, over 100 CEOs from major global firms are pushing for stronger climate targets and increased investments, urging governments to create frameworks that encourage green investment and accelerate the low-carbon transition. A roundtable in London further highlighted the centrality of climate finance and security at COP29, emphasizing the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Other Developments around COP29 last weekÂ
France and the UK are actively participating in pre-COP29 discussions, focusing on climate finance and cooperation, with both countries playing key roles in shaping the agenda.
Azerbaijan urges nations to work together and avoid blame-shifting, while President Aliyev emphasizes the country's commitment to renewable energy and global climate action. Hosting COP29 is seen as a global recognition of Azerbaijan’s role in addressing climate challenges.
Over 100 CEOs are pushing for stronger climate targets, advocating for carbon pricing, energy efficiency subsidies, and clearer frameworks to drive green investments ahead of COP29.
Russia’s President or PM and representatives from Bangladesh will attend COP29, with Bangladesh showcasing the documentary "Latika", which explores environmental and cultural challenges.
NGOs and human rights organizations are calling for stronger commitments from Azerbaijan on human rights during COP29, raising concerns about the country’s domestic record amidst its role as summit host.
Youth leaders in Jordan are being empowered to engage in COP29 discussions, while foreign media representatives have toured Azerbaijan’s COP29 facilities, learning about preparations and the emphasis on reducing the event’s environmental impact.
Trends from COP
In an exclusive interview with Trend, Professor Steven Hamburg, Chief Scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), highlighted Azerbaijan's key methane initiatives ahead of COP29. He emphasized the significance of the upcoming Declaration on Methane, which targets emissions reduction in the oil and gas sector. Hamburg also praised Azerbaijan's efforts to curb methane emissions from food waste, contributing to both land cleanliness and atmospheric purity, with COP29 expected to drive substantial progress in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.
For more details: Environmental Defense Fund spotlights expectations for COP29 (Exclusive) at trend.az
Polling on regional attitudes towards COP29
Our polling aimed to understand regional perspectives on COP29 being hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, as climate action becomes increasingly critical.
The results show that 37% of respondents across the region view the event positively, with particularly strong support in Azerbaijan, where 51% express enthusiasm about their country hosting the summit. This highlights the pride and high expectations tied to Azerbaijan’s role as the host nation.
However, views are more varied in other parts of the region. In Tajikistan, only 27% see the event positively, while 22% express negative opinions, reflecting a more skeptical or indifferent stance. The overall regional sentiment, with an average score of 6.3, suggests cautious optimism, though attitudes differ significantly from one country to another.
What We’re Reading
More than 100 CEOs call for climate action even as divide emerges - Attracta Mooney
Explained: What Is Climate Finance, Why It Is A Key Issue At COP29 - NDTV World
The best new books on climate ahead of COP29 (ft.com) - Pilita Clark
If you have any questions re contents of this newsletter or need advice or assistance at COP29, please don’t hesitate to contact us at eurasia@montfort.london, or our partners at Trend at news@trend.az.