The level of media coverage surrounding COP29 appears less prominent compared to previous years, raising questions about whether we are truly gaining traction on these critical issues. Undoubtedly, pressing factors such as UK inflation, economic impacts, budget constraints, and the outcomes of the US election dominate global attention. However, with these competing priorities is COP29 receiving the focus and urgency it needed, given the escalating climate crisis and its far-reaching implications?
Last year, I wrote a blog about COP28, highlighting commitments and raising concerns. A year later, the question remains: have these been addressed?
In short, NO!
At COP28, the conference drew participation from 154 Heads of State and government, alongside an impressive 85,000 attendees. In contrast, COP29 saw a significant drop in attendance, attracting around 55,000 participants and approximately 100 Heads of State and government. However, notable absences from key nations like France, China, the UK, and Papua New Guinea were widely reported, with a variety of reasons cited for their non-attendance.
Prime Minister Marape stated that his government will not tolerate empty promises and inaction at COP anymore, whilst people in Papua New Guinea continue to suffer the devastating consequences of climate change. He also said that the last three COP meetings, since COP26 have gone round in circles with no tangible results for small island states.
Whilst disappointment and frustrations over perceived inaction are understandable, choosing not to participate is not the answer—it only increases the challenges we face. If attendance at such pivotal events, such as COP is based on priorities, we must ask: what could possibly be more important than the protection of our planet?
All who can, should use their voice and fight for the right solutions. Inaction does not deliver results!
COP29 was billed as the “finance COP” with one of the key focuses being to set a new global climate finance goal this year along with national climate commitments.
As described at COP28 by Simon Stiell on several occasions, climate finance is “the great enabler of climate action”. COP28 was billed as a critical moment to keep 1.50C alive. As of 2025, stronger national climate plans are due from all countries and must cover all greenhouse gases and all sectors. According to the official site:
COP29 saw two G20 countries – the UK and Brazil – signal clearly that they plan to ramp up climate action in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), because they are entirely in the interests of their economises and peoples.
Two! What about the other 17? Among the key outputs from COP29 were:
1. Agreement of the finance goal, formally known as the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on Climate Finance which:
- Triples finance to developing countries from USD $100 billion to USD $300 billion annually by 2035.
- Secures efforts to scale up finance to developing countries from public and private sources to the amount of USD 1.3 trillion annually by 2035
2. Agreement on carbon markets and how they will operate under the Paris Agreement.
It will be interesting to see if these agreements are delivered upon on time and in full!
Disappointingly, agreement was not made on transitioning away from fossil fuels, as first agreed at COP28. Closing summations at COP28 stated that we needed to signal a hard stop to humanity’s core climate problem – fossil fuels and their planet-burning pollution and dubbed it as the outcome being the beginning of the end. This need has not changed.
This lack of agreement is not a good sign and swifter action in transitioning is key to achieving the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to limit global warming.
At COP29, the final summations highlighted “no country got everything they wanted, and we leave Baku with a mountain of work to do”. Additionally, it was noted that governments must accelerate their efforts to meet urgent climate goals.
Whilst some progress seems to be made each year, it simply isn’t enough. The 2030 target set under the Paris Agreement looms even closer, and the pathways to achieving it, though challenging, are undeniably essential. We must act with greater urgency, work faster, and deliver tangible results. Avoiding, delaying, or shirking responsibility is simply not an option. The stakes are too high—for the good of our planet, the success of our businesses, the well-being of our children, and the futures of generations to come.
This approach has direct relevance to the packaging industry. Whether you are a packaging manufacturer, retailer or brand owner there is much more to do to reduce our environmental impact. Often, concerns over increased costs, juggling priorities or a lack of understanding hinder progress. However, taking meaningful action not only benefits the planet but also strengthens our businesses in the long-term. Open conversations and collaborations to explore options and opportunities cost nothing but can pave the way for significant change. It’s time for everyone to take action, take responsibility and join the movement toward more sustainable approaches and operations.
There will always be distractions, competing priorities and challenges, but we must confront them head-on, and the time to act is NOW.
