COP 29: The Good, The Bad, and the Fossil Fuel Reality

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Every year, the Conference of the Parties (COP) brings the world together under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – a global stage for nations to gather and commit to climate action.

COP’s mission is clear: to tackle climate change. But what exactly is COP, and why does it draw so much attention? Is it living up to the hype?

What’s COP All About?

COP was born from the 1992 Earth Summit when the UNFCCC introduced a new concept: that countries would work together to measure, report, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since the first COP in 1995, these gatherings have evolved into the heart of climate diplomacy and global climate commitments.

Notable milestones:

• 1995: COP begins its journey, pushing for climate discussions and international commitments.

• 2015: COP21, the Paris Agreement, united nearly every country in pledging to limit global warming to well below 2°C, with a 1.5°C target. This was historic: developed and developing nations committed to a collective goal for the first time.

Fast-forward to COP29, and we’re still asking: Is it enough?

Why COP Matters: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

COP tackles a crisis that impacts us all: climate change. From rising temperatures and extreme weather to biodiversity loss, no nation is untouched. This crisis demands a united response—one that goes beyond borders.

So, let’s get into the good, the bad, and the ugly:

1. The Good
   COP has set ambitious climate targets. The Paris Agreement, born from COP21, is a beacon guiding global climate action, setting out the goal to keep warming below 2°C, ideally under 1.5°C. This commitment acts like a compass, highlighting the urgency of rapid emissions reductions and sustainable practices.

   But here’s the catch: while targets are set, the pathway to achieving them isn’t always clear. Many countries pledge lofty ambitions but face hurdles in implementation. For all its talk, COP still struggles with moving from paper to practice.

2. The Bad
   The reality on the ground often falls short. Despite the national climate action plans (NDCs) submitted as part of the Paris Agreement, global emissions are still on the rise. Fossil fuels remain the backbone of most economies, and progress toward a renewable future lags behind promises.

   There’s a lot of talk and not enough walk. Nations may expand their renewable energy efforts, but dependence on coal, oil, and gas is proving hard to shake. The unfortunate truth? While COP’s ambitious goals are inspiring, the accountability mechanisms aren’t strong enough to ensure countries actually follow through.

3. The Ugly
   Let’s face it: the climate debate is increasingly hijacked by politics, and COP is no exception. Recent hosts have faced scrutiny over their fossil fuel dependency, with COP 28 held in the UAE—a country deeply reliant on oil—and now, Azerbaijan set to host, raising similar concerns. This fuels a Western narrative that downplays the roles of these host countries, casting them as climate laggards even as they serve as platforms for international dialogue. It’s a complex issue, as fossil dependency isn’t unique to these nations but a global reality, with many economies still heavily reliant on oil and gas.

   And now, with Trump back in office, we’re likely to see the U.S. pull out of the Paris Agreement once again, weakening global cooperation just when it’s most needed. The focus has shifted from enforcing climate targets to political theater. Just as we should be doubling down on climate finance and accountability, attention veers toward host countries' fossil fuel reliance and the implications of U.S. policy swings.

   Instead of action, COP risks becoming a stage for spectacle over substance—a frustrating distraction when the stakes for climate action have never been higher.

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So, Who Attends?

COP 29 will bring together a vast range of participants, from government representatives to grassroots activists, all with unique perspectives on climate action. Attendees include national delegations from nearly every country, United Nations bodies, intergovernmental organizations like the World Bank, specialized agencies such as WHO, non-governmental organizations, and private sector leaders, alongside media, researchers, and technical staff. This diversity makes COP a powerful platform for uniting voices from every corner of society to push for meaningful change.

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