The annual United Nations Climate Conference, known as COP29, officially began today in Baku, Azerbaijan. This is the 29th summit where the majority of the world's nations—the so-called "parties"—gather to address climate issues. The acronym COP stands for "Conference of Parties," referring to the countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro. This was the first international treaty dedicated to addressing global warming. Since the inaugural meeting on 28 March 1995 in Berlin, the COPs have convened annually—except in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic—marking both successes and failures in the global effort to combat the climate crisis. Let us explore some key milestones to better understand the history of these climate conferences.
The origins of the climate conferences predate the 1995 COP in Berlin by several decades. In 1968, Sweden, recognising the growing impact of human activities on the environment, called for an international conference to address these issues. This prompted the United Nations to initiate various studies on the state of the environment. Four years later, these efforts culminated in the first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm, which led to the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The creation of UNEP in 1972 was a landmark moment in the development of international environmental law. The years following the Stockholm Conference saw significant milestones in climate action, including the Earth Day celebrations of 1990 and the signing of international environmental treaties such as the 1987 Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. As awareness of human-induced climate change grew, UNEP and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. The IPCC was tasked with reviewing and assessing the latest scientific, technical, and socio-economic information on climate change.
The Rio Summit and the Birth of the UNFCCC
The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro marked a turning point in recognising the need for global action on climate change, founded on the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities." The summit resulted in the signing of the UNFCCC, which lays the foundation for international political efforts to combat climate change to this day. The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, also adopted at the summit, was inspired by the Stockholm Declaration of twenty years earlier and redefined the concept of sustainable development through 27 principles designed to uphold it. The theme of the environment was firmly tied to economic and social development, with Principle 4 of the Rio Declaration stating that 'environmental protection must constitute an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in isolation.'
As already indicated earlier in this text, the most significant outcome of the Rio Summit was the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Coming into force in 1994 and now with 198 member countries, it remains the cornerstone of international climate action. The COPs stem from the signing of this treaty. While the framework does not set emission limits, it requires member countries to meet annually at a Conference of Parties, where they negotiate binding protocols and agreements.
Key Milestones in COP History
- The first major breakthrough came during COP3 in Kyoto in 1997, where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted. This was the first legally binding agreement on greenhouse gas emissions reduction, targeting industrialised nations. However, the protocol faced resistance, particularly from the United States, highlighting the challenges of achieving global consensus.
- COP15 in Copenhagen in 2009, though failing to deliver a binding global agreement, led to the creation of the Green Climate Fund to support developing nations in addressing climate impacts.
- Subsequent COPs tackled critical issues such as financing, accountability, and mechanisms for compensating loss and damage, achieving significant but often contentious progress.
- COP21 in Paris in 2015 was a landmark event, with the adoption of the Paris Agreement. This universal treaty aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, with voluntary national contributions at its core.
- COP26 in Glasgow in 2021 reinforced global emission reduction commitments through the Glasgow Climate Pact but underscored the urgency of tangible actions to meet the Paris Agreement's goals.
- COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh in 2022 established the Loss and Damage Fund, addressing demands for financial support for vulnerable nations recovering from climate impacts.
- COP28 in Dubai in 2023 focused on consolidating progress, raising ambition in climate pledges, accelerating renewable energy transitions, and enhancing financial and technological support for developing countries.
Despite the complexities of international climate negotiations and the challenges in implementing agreements, COPs remain vital platforms for dialogue and cooperation. Over the years, they have shaped international climate policy, mobilised financial resources, promoted scientific research, and heightened public awareness of the climate crisis. The upcoming COP29 in Baku in 2024 represents a crucial opportunity to strengthen global commitments, accelerate climate action, and pave the way for a sustainable future.
