Photo: Pixabay / Pexels.
This page offers analysis, research and resources on the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Explore SEI’s events and participation at COP29.
COP29 opens on 11 November, with the World Leaders Climate Action Summit following on 12–13 November. During the summit, leaders will outline their countries’ progress on the Paris Agreement.
Dialogues will focus on raising ambitions for mitigation and adaptation through nationally determined contributions (NDCs), national adaptation plans (NAPs), and long-term low-emission development strategies. Key goals include advancing the new climate finance goal (NCQG), addressing loss and damage, and fully operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund.
Additionally, the COP29 presidency, alongside the US and China, will host a methane and non-CO2 greenhouse gas summit. Final negotiations will take place on 22 November.
The new climate finance goal is the make-or-break success indicator for COP29. SEI climate finance expert Katherine Browne says:
The goal is intended to set a new commitment for wealthy countries to provide financial support for poorer and more vulnerable countries to take climate action. It will replace the USD 100 billion goal from the Paris Agreement with a new, larger number.
This includes operationalizing the loss and damage fund agreed at COP28 and will likely involve innovative finance instruments and new trade models. Short-lived, high-impact gases such as methane are expected to feature prominently in this year’s discussions.
Was COP29 a breakthrough or a missed chance? Explore the key takeaways, from the climate finance deal to unresolved challenges, and what is next for COP30 in Brazil.
Perspective / SEI delegates share their key COP29 takeaways and next-stage expectations.
As COP29 seeks to secure an ambitious new climate finance goal, explore key insights on scaling financial commitments, operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund and ensuring that finance reaches vulnerable communities to drive equitable climate action.
Perspective / What a new goal for adaptation finance must have, to be sufficient, effective and equitable.
Perspective / Recognizing an urgent need for climate-resilient sanitation projects, the Green Climate Fund has developed new guidelines that provide practical guidance.
Feature / This Q&A with Katherine Browne, SEI research fellow, maps the climate finance landscape and what is at stake in negotiations leading to a new goal.
Perspective / SEI researchers propose seven measures to help the global financial system better address interlinked climate and sustainable development goals.
SEI brief / The NCQG must include these must-haves to ensure funding meets the objectives of sufficient, effective and equitable climate adaptation.
SEI report / The authors propose ways to transform voluntary net zero commitments into ground rules for the economy overall.
SEI brief / The authors propose a framework for distributive equity of adaptation finance at the national and subnational levels.
With COP29 emphasizing stronger nationally determined contributions (NDCs), SEI experts explore how countries can raise ambitions, craft low-emission development strategies, and submit impactful, science-based commitments by the 2025 deadline.
Perspective / Next round of national climate plans is not just an opportunity to mitigate climate risks, but to build stronger economies and resilient societies.
Perspective / From sanitation to food systems, improved Nationally Determined Contributions can unlock untapped climate action, say SEI experts.
SEI report / The authors propose ways to transform voluntary net zero commitments into ground rules for the economy overall.
Other publication / This report aims to support government officials, tasked with identifying, evaluating and implementing climate and sustainable development plans and policies.
Other publication / Read a scenario analysis of potential demand for renewable electricity and renewable hydrogen in the EU's green iron and steel transition.
Tool / Analyse and compare how climate actions correspond to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Tool / The Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) is a powerful, versatile system for energy planning and climate change mitigation assessment.
At COP29’s methane and non-CO2 summit, leaders will aim to reduce emissions from high-impact gases; here, SEI experts offer insights on advancing the Global Methane Pledge through practical actions in agriculture, sanitation and energy sectors.
Press release / The Fossil Fuel Atlas is a new tool that allows the public to see where existing and emerging fossil fuel extraction projects encroach on protected ecosystems.
Perspective / Recognizing an urgent need for climate-resilient sanitation projects, the Green Climate Fund has developed new guidelines that provide practical guidance.
Perspective / Countries' Nationally Determined Contributions provide a roadmap to take actions to achieve the aim of the Global Methane Pledge to reduce methane emissions.
Perspective / Sanitation's overlooked role in methane emissions is critical for the pledge's success, demanding urgent action and innovation.
As COP29 seeks to accelerate adaptation goals, explore strategies to enhance NAPs, strengthen resilience funding and support vulnerable regions through targeted adaptation finance and collaborative planning.
Perspective / SEI delegates share their key COP29 takeaways and next-stage expectations.
Other publication / This roadmap outlines 15 measures that can help the Hindu Kush Himalaya region address transboundary and cascading risks posed by climate change.
Tool / weADAPT is SEI's pioneering, user-led platform and network for climate change adaptation.
