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Highlights from the 2024 COP29 conference in Baku

Matti Kuittinen (Aalto University) reflects on the UN's 29th Climate COP, leaving a sense of disappointment and frustration among delegates and observers. The event yielded a commitment of only $0.3 trillion for climate funding, falling drastically short of the $1.3 trillion requested by developing nations. COP29 saw the broader recognition of the role of the built environment - including the launch of the International Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC).

The funding gap underscores the urgent need to address both the escalating costs of climate change and the investments required to transition to a sustainable, fossil-free future. Developing countries were vocal in their dissatisfaction, highlighting the urgent need for resources to prepare for weather-related disasters, develop sustainable infrastructure, and adapt to changing climatic conditions. These needs are immense, and the stakes are high: failure to secure adequate funding risks leaving the most vulnerable nations ill-equipped to face intensifying challenges. Historically, Europe and the United States have borne the greatest responsibility for global warming. However, the BRICS nations now account for 42% of global GHG emissions, reflecting a shifting landscape of accountability and capability.

A contentious issue at COP29 was the definition of a "developing country." When the Kyoto Protocol was adopted three decades ago, nations like China, South Korea, and oil-rich Middle Eastern states were classified as developing. Now, many of these countries have achieved significant economic growth, leading developed nations to argue that they should shoulder a greater share of climate financing. This debate, unresolved at COP29, represents one of the critical barriers to more equitable and effective climate action.

The venue for COP29-Azerbaijan, a nation heavily reliant on fossil fuels-fuelled scepticism about the conference's potential outcomes. President Ilham Aliyev's opening speech, in which he described oil and gas as a "gift of God" and defended fossil fuel exploitation, set a tone that many felt was antithetical to the event's purpose.

The conference ran over 30 hours past its scheduled conclusion as deep divisions persisted. Some delegations described the event as poorly managed, with little leadership during pivotal negotiations. A European representative criticised the host country for failing to mediate between differing viewpoints, while other delegates characterised the discussions as "chaotic." The atmosphere was further strained when several delegations, including those from small island states, the European Union, and the US, walked out of the final rounds of talks.

A step back from COP28

In several respects, COP29 marked a retreat from the progress achieved at COP28 in Dubai. Last year's conference produced a landmark agreement to phase out fossil fuels, a decision that was widely celebrated as a significant step forward. By contrast, oil-producing nations at COP29 successfully blocked any references to fossil fuels in the final text, reflecting a troubling regression in climate ambition.

The lacklustre outcomes of COP29 place immense pressure on the next climate COP, set to take place in Brazil in 2025. Dubbed the "COP of Cities," the event will focus on urban areas and the built environment, sectors critical to achieving net-zero targets.

Sharpening focus on the built environment

Despite its broader shortcomings, COP29 brought greater recognition to the built environment's pivotal role in addressing climate change. Key developments included the official launch of the International Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC), an array of construction-themed pavilions, and a renewed call for collaboration among researchers and policymakers.

The ICBC aims to advance the implementation of the Chaillot Declaration, a global policy framework introduced in March 2024 to promote the decarbonisation of buildings and infrastructure. Speaking at the Buildings and Cooling Pavilion, Kennedy Matheka of the Kenyan government suggested that the ICBC could pave the way for a new international treaty on the climate impacts of construction. Afterall, the only global treaty is the existing Safety and Health in Construction Convention of 1988.

One of the underlying issues behind the previous lack of recognition of the role of the built environment may lie in how it is globally managed. Buildings and infrastructure typically fall under the responsibility of cities and municipalities, which do not have a mandate to participate directly in climate negotiations at COPs. Multilevel engagement appears necessary in the future, as the role of the built environment cannot be decided without the involvement of the owners and operators of these assets.

Researchers echoed these ambitions, issuing a call to action for legally binding whole-life carbon limits on buildings by 2035, along with a commitment to social equity and evidence-based policymaking. Greg Foliente (University of Melbourne) underscored the importance of collaboration between the Global North and South, stating: "Only together can we develop effective policies and actions to address the climate challenge."

Industrial CO₂ removal

Meeting the Paris Agreement's goals will require removing up to 8 gigatonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere annually by 2060, according to the IPCC. This poses significant challenges for industries reliant on high-emission materials like concrete and steel. Jim Skea, Chair of the IPCC, noted that these industries have thus far been shielded from stringent climate policies due to concerns over competitiveness and carbon leakage.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) remains the primary strategy for decarbonising concrete production, but current efforts fall woefully short of what is required. The International Energy Agency estimates that global CCS capacity could reach 1,000 MtCO2 by 2030 under optimistic scenarios. As the concrete sector alone is projected to require 1,370 MtCO2 in CCS capacity by 2050, scaling up CCS infrastructure is imperative, especially in emerging economies where projects remain significantly underfunded and underdeveloped

Financing challenges in the built environment

According to estimates from the UNDP and IMF, public funding for climate adaptation needs to increase by up to 18 times, while mitigation financing requires a 15-fold boost. The built environment alone demands $0.2-$0.4 trillion annually for adaptation and an additional $1 trillion for mitigation by 2030. However, the $0.3 trillion secured at COP29 for developing countries underscores the significant shortfall in public funding. This gap is likely to lead to an increased reliance on private investors, raising concerns about equity and the potential exploitation of vulnerable nations.

Daily protests at the Baku stadium highlighted the urgency of addressing these disparities. Demonstrators called on wealthy countries to contribute their fair share, a sentiment echoed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who warned: "Pay up, or humanity will pay the price."

A critical moment for climate action

Expectations for COP30 in 2025 are high, but significant challenges remain, particularly the potential withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement under a new administration. Such a move could undermine global climate efforts, prompting fears of further backsliding.

If international climate COPs fail to deliver meaningful commitments, the burden of action will increasingly fall on cities, private companies and grassroots movements. COP29 may serve as a wake-up call, highlighting the need for more decisive, collective action to secure a sustainable future.

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