Following another year of extreme weather events and record-breaking heatwaves, UNEP’s 2024 Emissions Gap and Adaptation Gap Reports showed slow progress on emissions reduction and adaptation planning and finance. Nations must deliver dramatically stronger ambition and action in the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and dramatically increase climate adaptation efforts, starting with a commitment to act on finance at UN Climate Conference (COP29).
COP29 will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November 2024, and presents a pivotal opportunity to accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis, as it brings together leaders from governments, business, and civil society to advance concrete solutions to one of the defining issues of our time.
A key focus of COP29 will be finance, as trillions of dollars are required for countries to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect lives and livelihoods from the worsening impacts of climate change. The conference will also be a key moment for countries to present their updated national climate action plans under the Paris agreement, which are due by early 2025. If done right, these plans will limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and double as investment plans advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) will participate in COP29, with experts available for interviews on the ground in Baku and remotely. UNEP will also launch its annual Eye on Methane Report and a Global Peatland Hotspot Atlas, as well as organizing and taking part in events and meetings.
The schedule is in Azerbaijan standard time (GMT+ 4).
UNEP report launches during COP29
13 November
UNEP-CCAC, INMS and FAO’s Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment
A new Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, in cooperation with the International Nitrogen Management System and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, is warning that nitrous oxide (N₂O), a potent and “forgotten” greenhouse gas, is rapidly accelerating climate change and damaging the ozone layer. Findings of the assessment will signal that emissions are rising faster than expected, and that immediate action is required to curb the environmental and health impacts of this super pollutant.
15 November
Launch of UNEP’s 2024 An Eye on Methane Annual Report
An Eye on Methane is the annual report of UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory. It takes stock of progress harnessing a data revolution to accelerate methane reduction on a global scale and provides decision-makers a framework of action to track and monitor methane emissions to plan targeted and ambitious mitigation. Alongside this year’s report, IMEO will launch an updated and refreshed version of its public data platform with new features and data.
21 November
Launch of the 2024 edition of UNEP’s Global Peatland Hotspot Atlas
The Global Peatlands Hotspot Atlas evaluates the status of peatlands worldwide and highlights the threats they face from urbanization, industrialization, land use changes, and climate change. By compiling a series of maps that analyze the global distribution of peatlands in relation to geographic data on these threats, the Atlas offers a comprehensive overview of vulnerable areas.
Other launches during COP29
19 November
Food, Agriculture and Water Day
The COP29 Presidency and the CCAC at UNEP will launch the COP29 Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste, as part of the COP29 Presidency’s Action Agenda. Martina Otto, Head of the CCAC will participate in the COP29 Presidency’s daily press conference at 1:15-2:00pm in the main media room, to speak about CCAC’s work and the COP29 Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste. This will be followed by a 20-minute Q&A for media on the initiative, and methane at COP29.
20 November
Official launch of the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC)
The ICBC official launch will take place during the High-Level Roundtable: Green Construction and Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Climate Resilience in Cities, as part of the Ministerial on Urbanization and Climate Change.
21 November
Re-Launch of REDD+ Academy
The UN-REDD Programme is relaunching the REDD+ Academy, its flagship forest and climate learning platform, with support from the Korea Forest Service. This revamped Academy will feature an AI-powered assistant for personalized learning experiences, innovative tools like learning journals and micro-learning modules, and a focus on community knowledge exchange.
21 November
Food, Agriculture and Water Day
The COP29 Presidency and UNEP will launch the Water for Climate Action, a key part of the COP29 Presidency’s Action Agenda. UNEP spokesperson (tbc) will participate in the COP29 Presidency’s daily press conference at 1:15-2:00pm in the main media room, to speak about UNEP’s work and the Water for Climate Action initiative and declaration. This will be followed by a 20-minute opportunity for media on the initiative, and water at COP29 (time/venue tbc).
UNEP at pavilion events
Buildings and Cooling Pavilion
At COP29 this year, the GlobalABC is collaborating with the UNEP Cool Coalition to host a joint Buildings and Cooling Pavilion. This Pavilion aims to bring together the entire built environment value chain and the cooling community, creating a unified voice to drive building decarbonisation and resilience, while addressing the challenges of extreme heat and sustainable cooling. Detailed programme and schedule can be found here.
UNEP will also participate in various events at the Faith Pavilion and Azerbaijan Pavilion at COP29. More details are available here.
Representatives from UNEP will also participate in the following events during COP29.
- 13 November | 12:00 – 13:00 | Blue Zone, UNFCCC Special Event Room 1 (Buta)
Scaling Ambition for NDCs 3.0: Good practices and Lessons Learnt from the NDCs 3.0 Regional Fora
- 14 November | 13:15 – 14:45 | Blue Zone, UNFCCC Side Event Room 6
Climate Technologies: Impact Stories from Country Support through the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism
- 15 November 2024 |13:15 – 14:45 | Blue Zone, UNFCCC Side Event Room 3
Peace and Security in a Changing Climate: From Analysis to Action
- 15 November | 15:00 – 16:30 | Side Event 8
Global Methane Pledge Ministerial
- 15 November | 16:30 – 18:00 | Blue Zone, German Pavilion COP29
International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) Ministerial at COP29
- 16 November | 09:00 – 10:30 | Nasimi
Ministerial Meeting on Circular Economy
- 18 November | 09:00 – 10:30 | Azerbaijan Presidency Pavilion/B room
- 18 November | 12:00 – 13:00 | SPE 5-Nasimi, Amphitheatre / Zone B 188, Global Climate Action space
High-level Adaptation Gap Report side event
- 18 November | 16:00 – 17:30 | UNFCCC Pavilion, 6th Capacity-building Hub, Baku Stadium
Local Innovators, Global Change: Youth Talk
- 19 November | 16:00 – 17:30 | COP29 Buildings and Cooling Pavilion, Blue Zone, Pavilion ICC, Number G10 – Online Event
Near-Zero Emissions and Resilient Buildings
- 20 November | 09:30 – 11:00 | COP29 Presidential Room Amphitheater
First Ministerial Meeting on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism
To receive press materials of reports under embargo and/or to send questions ahead of the launch, please contact: UNEP’s News and Media Unit (unep-newsdesk@un.org).
For more information, please see UNEP at the COP29 page for live updates.