ESR Science Leader on Climate Health Impacts Dr Angela Baschieri comments on the outcome of COP 29, the UN Climate Change Conference that took place in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11 to 22 November 2024.
Last week at COP 29 in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku, discussions have been on finance, transforming systems and cities, strengthening human capital, supporting adaptation and resilience. Countries were urged to submit more ambitious nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to align with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The health sector played a critical role, with WHO, the Azerbaijani presidency and other partners hosting key roundtables on the on climate resilient health systems, financing and a low-carbon future.
COP 29 happened against the backdrop of 2024 being declared the warmest year on record. The Lancet Countdown on Climate Change and Health highlights how delayed action continues to threaten global health, with record temperatures contributing to a 167% rise in heat-related deaths among those over 65 years old since the 1990s. Catastrophic events, such as Valencia's devastating flood, where more than 200 lives were lost after a year’s worth of rain in just eight hours, demonstrate the dramatic impact of extreme weather on lives and livelihoods. In New Zealand, ex-tropical cyclones Hale and Gabrielle caused severe flooding and landslides further demonstrating the results on lives of global inaction.
What has COP 29 achieved?
A central focus has been the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance, which will replace the $100 billion annual commitment post-2025. Negotiations have grappled with balancing adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage financing, as well as defining the scale of contributions from developed nations.
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Finance Progress: A major milestone was the adoption of a global carbon market framework under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. On November 11, 2024, nearly 200 nations approved new UN standards enabling countries to trade carbon credits to meet climate targets.
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Loss and Damage Fund: Created at COP 27, this fund is now operational, ready to receive contributions, and aimed at supporting nations most impacted by climate change.
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New Commitments: Multilateral banks pledged $120 billion annually in climate-related lending, with the Asian Development Bank announcing $7.2 billion for climate projects, including adaptation programs in Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus.
What are the gaps?
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Carbon Markets: Concerns remain about the potential misuse of carbon offsets by major polluters to avoid substantial emission reductions.
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NCQG Challenges: After a challenging negotiation process that extended beyond the scheduled timeline, the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) was agreed upon on Sunday at COP 29. The NCQG commits countries to providing $300 billion annually until 2035. However, many nations have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the NCQG, arguing that it falls significantly short of the financial support required to assist developing countries, which is estimated to be in the order of $1.3 trillion annually.
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Access to Funds: Vulnerable nations continue to face significant barriers in accessing pledged funds, underscoring the need for innovative mechanisms to mobilise and effectively deploy resources at scale.
The discussions at COP 29 make it clear: without immediate and bold actions the 1.5°C target is slipping out of reach. Achieving this goal requires enhanced commitments, rapid emissions reductions and significant financial support to drive a global transition to sustainable energy and build resilience to climate impacts.
Why Are These Decisions Critical for Health?
Without decisive action, global temperatures could rise by 3.2°C by the end of the century, exposing 75% of the population to life-threatening heat and humidity. Global CO₂ emissions hit record highs in 2023, further undermining efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. This trajectory not only accelerates climate impacts but also intensifies health crises, such as heat-related illnesses, respiratory diseases, and the spread of vector-borne pathogens.
Climate finance is not just about mitigation – it’s about empowering countries to adapt, build resilient health systems, transition to clean energy and safeguard vulnerable populations. Supporting the Global South is essential for driving progress toward a low-carbon future that benefits everyone. It’s a win-win for the planet and its people.
What was achieved?
At COP 29 in Baku, health and equity emerged as central themes in climate discussions, marking a significant shift. November 18 was designated as Health Day, underscoring the critical intersection of climate change and health and WHO urged all countries to include health in their climate negotiations, and the Baku Continuity Coalition for Climate and Health brought together leadership from COP26 to COP30 and the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure health remains integral to the climate agenda.
Health was explicitly acknowledged in discussions on adaptation and loss and damage, reflecting a shift toward people-centered climate strategies, while countries pledged to strengthen climate-resilient healthcare systems in vulnerable regions such as Asia-Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa.
What Are the Critical Remaining Gaps?
COP 29 underscored the growing recognition of the interconnectedness between climate change and health, with key outcomes like WHO’s Special Report, the introduction of Health Day, and increased focus on building climate-resilient health systems. However, key gaps remain: inadequate funding for health-related adaptation, limited frameworks to ensure equity, slow progress on methane reductions (a major driver of air pollution and direct impact on health), and insufficient finance for health-focused climate action.
Closing these gaps requires robust commitments, equitable resource distribution, and actionable strategies. As climate impacts intensify, prioritising health in climate strategies is essential to safeguard lives and promote a healthy sustainable future for the people and the planet.