Why Our Climate and Environment Are Heading the Wrong Way: A Deep Dive into Urgent Challenges and Solutions

2024 was a tough year for climate action at the global level. December saw the COP29 climate summit, the first dedicated to financing. Countries in the global south argued that wealthier nations should foot the bill for transitioning to low-carbon systems. They estimated a need of $1.3 trillion annually, but the most powerful economies only committed a meager $3 billion. This shortfall poses a real threat to climate efforts, especially for nations that have contributed the least to climate change yet face the greatest risks.

In 2024, COP29 took place in Azerbaijan, a country criticized for its lack of civic freedoms. The local government suppressed dissent, limiting meaningful discourse. With many fossil fuel lobbyists present, negotiations leaned toward the interests of powerful states. The absence of strong leadership left critical issues, like fossil fuel reduction, unaddressed.

A few months earlier, another summit, COP16, took place in Colombia, focusing on biodiversity. This meeting was actually meant to secure funding for ambitious conservation goals—conserving 30% of land and sea by 2030—but it ended in disappointment. Wealthier nations failed to commit to setting up a new fund for these efforts, pushing decisions further into the future.

While COP16 didn’t meet its main goals, it did make some progress. A deal was reached to ensure that companies using genetic data from global south countries will pay into a new fund, although participation is voluntary. This could help those nations gain some benefit from their resources.

The summit also established a new body representing Indigenous peoples, ensuring their voices are part of future discussions. This move aims to balance the overwhelming influence of the private sector, which had record attendance.

On another front, discussions for a binding treaty on plastic pollution faltered. Delegates met in Busan, South Korea, but left without an agreement. The debate largely split between nations advocating for a strong treaty versus those, often oil-rich, pushing for weaker commitments focused on waste management instead of overall reduction. Plastics, derived from fossil fuels, are seen by the oil and gas sector as a fallback in the fight against climate change.

Despite these setbacks, civil society has remained vigilant. They advocate for scientific research and public awareness while pushing for meaningful policy changes. Their continued efforts hold the potential to steer negotiations in a positive direction.

In summary, while 2024 brought significant challenges in global climate summits, it also showcased the importance of voices advocating for urgent action. Effective change hinges on holding powerful players accountable and ensuring that the most vulnerable communities are included in the process moving forward.



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