Hello,

Hope you are well, 

After nearly two weeks of intense discussions, COP29 wrapped up on November 24 instead of November 22 (as originally expected) due to negotiations running overtime !! — & let’s just say it wasn’t the most harmonious gathering ! 

Countries seemed to drift apart more than they came together at this year's COP, with one of the biggest sticking points being climate finance. A final deal of $300 billion by 2035 was stuck on the closing day - BUT this fell far shorter than the $1.3 trillion ask from developing nations for its climate mitigation & adaption support ! You can imagine the frustration. In fact, the principle of "equity" (which officially forms the basis of the climate-negotiations) was evoked !  

We’ve broken it the final week at COP29 into three key takeaways, along with some deep dives to make sense of what it all means.

But as we close on COP29, its fair to question: if these negotiations actually working anymore?

They’re undeniably slow, often feeling like one step forward and two steps back. In our previous newsletter covering week one of COP29, we highlighted calls from prominent ex-COP figures for a major overhaul—urging a shift from endless negotiations to concrete execution.

Yet, for all their flaws, we’re stuck with the current system for now. Overhauling the format could risk losing a few more years of precious action, and without COPs, the global coordination needed for effective climate action could collapse entirely.

The focus must now be on making COPs as purposeful and action-driven as possible.

Looking ahead, COP30 is to be held in Brazil at the end of 2025. It’s a crucial one - as countries are expected to update their national climate targets & submit new pledges — part of the five-year cycle of climate negotiations process.

Let’s hope the next round proves more productive!

Harish 

(Team OnePointFive)