As we approach COP29, the climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, it's clear that we're witnessing a year of unprecedented weather extremes. Devastating floods in eastern Spain last month claimed hundreds of lives, underscoring the dire consequences of our changing climate. As scientists predict that 2024 may set the record for the warmest year globally, the need for urgent action has never been more critical.

1. Record Carbon Emissions

Global carbon emissions reached an alarming 40.6 billion tonnes last year and are on track to surpass this mark by the end of 2024, with atmospheric carbon levels over 50% higher than pre-industrial times. Given this trajectory, experts are alarmed at the stagnation in global responses to this escalating crisis.

2. Urgency of Transition from Fossil Fuels

During last year's COP28 in Dubai, there was a historic commitment to move away from fossil fuels. This marked a significant moment in climate negotiations, although many activists feel it lacks the urgency required. This has been further complicated by the recent election of Donald Trump in the US, a figure often associated with climate skepticism.

3. Trump’s Impact on Climate Diplomacy

Trump's victory casts a shadow over COP29, particularly with leaders like European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron indicating they might not attend. With Trump's track record of undermining international climate agreements, many fear the summit may not achieve meaningful progress.

4. The Climate Crisis: A 'Big Hoax'?


Trump has previously labeled climate change a "big hoax," raising concerns that he may withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement again. “With his leadership, the faint hope of limiting global warming to 1.5°C could be extinguished,” warns climate policy expert Bob Ward.

5. The Era of Global Boiling

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has been vocal about the current climate emergency, stating that we have moved from global warming to "global boiling." He warns that fossil fuel companies are exacerbating this crisis, and urgent action is needed to avoid catastrophic consequences.

6. The Tipping Point Fear

Climate scientists are increasingly worried that the long-anticipated 1.5°C threshold will be breached multiple times by the decade's end. Such a reality could trigger irreversible changes like the melting of ice sheets and the collapse of ecosystems, threatening millions, especially in developing nations.

7. Financing Climate Solutions

Developing countries are estimated to need an additional $500 billion to $1 trillion annually in climate finance to address their unique challenges. The discussions at COP29 will focus on mobilizing private sector investment and rethinking current financial commitments.

8. Azerbaijan’s Controversies

However, the summit is not without its controversies. A senior official from Azerbaijan's COP29 team was recently caught on video discussing potential investments in the country's oil and gas, raising eyebrows among delegates and casting doubt on the summit's commitments to fossil fuel divestment.

9. A Stepping Stone to Future Success

Despite the obstacles, some optimists, like Lord Stern of the Grantham Research Institute, view COP29 as a stepping stone toward broader success at COP30 in Brazil. Negotiators hope to lay the groundwork for future commitments regarding climate finance and more ambitious emission reductions.

10. Time is Running Out

Experts stress that we are running out of time. Johan Rockström of the Potsdam Institute warns that Trump’s return could stall progress and "we simply can’t afford a four-year pause." Yet, many delegates remain resilient, recalling past obstacles and maintaining hope for actionable results.

As the COP29 discussions unfold, the world watches closely, recognizing that decisive action—or a lack thereof—will shape the planet's future for generations to come. The stakes couldn't be higher; the world is counting on leaders to act boldly and without delay.