What is COP?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n But let\u2019s backtrack, what actually is a COP? An acronym loosely bandied around, the Conference of the Parties is the world\u2019s most influential climate summit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1992 close to 200 countries signed an international treaty<\/span><\/a>, The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, pledging to address the impacts of the climate crisis. They now attend COP, a yearly meeting where countries work towards the treaty\u2019s goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n COP 29 so far\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As of writing, we have 24 hours left of the Baku, Azerbaijan summit, with over 50,000 delegates in attendance. Despite this crowd, we have seen minimal concrete action. The conference is overwhelmed by the usual circular discussions and empty promises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n COP29 has been colloquially dubbed the \u2018Finance COP\u2019 for its focus on loss and damage reparations. Developing countries, suffering a disproportionate amount of climate change disasters in comparison to their emissions, are demanding that the Global North proportionally offset their damage. We hope to see a resolution to the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance<\/span><\/a> (NCOG) in the final hours of the conference tomorrow, addressing the allocation of climate finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Talks around the Carbon Trading Agreement are also nearing conclusion. This would solidify an international \u2018carbon market\u2019, incentivising companies to reduce carbon emission by selling unused carbon credits, and having to buy extras for over-emitting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But is any of this what the public really want?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Whist officials stall talks on the international stage, at home in Newcastle, on the morning of September 16th<\/sup> , a climate justice rally is well underway. This local community echo the disappointment prevalent in Baku, calling for more action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I spoke to rally attendees and speakers alike to find out what people really want from our government at COP29, and whether they still have faith in the institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/keira-gratton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24116\/2024\/12\/Arzu_Aliyeva_at_World_Leaders_Climate_Action_Summit_COP29_Baku_Azerbaijan-1024x683.jpg\")
Image credit: <\/strong>The Presidential Press and Information Office of Azerbaijan<\/span><\/a>, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0<\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/keira-gratton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24116\/2024\/12\/image.png\")
Image credit: Keira Gratton <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n