Negotiators at Cop29 hoping but struggling to make progress

For many millions of people, climate change is already a dangerous reality, writes Fionn Rogan

Activists participate in a demonstration against fossil fuels called weed out the snakes at the Cop29 UN Climate Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. Picture: AP 

Over 190 countries plus the European Union are registered at Cop29 in Baku. At the start of the conference two days are set aside for the leaders of these countries to each deliver a 3-minute “national statement”. This year, about 80 heads of state or government made an address. Keir Starmer, one of the few G7 leaders in attendance announced higher targets for the UK for future GHG emissions reductions. It was a strong bid for international climate leadership.

However, a lot of the discussion during the world leader segment was on who wasn’t speaking or attending. The US, China, and Brazil all had envoys or vice-presidents rather than leaders, while Germany, France, and India were not represented at all. Due to the Irish election, no-one spoke on Ireland’s behalf.