Attending COP29 in Baku was an insightful experience that deepened my understanding of the complexities of the climate crisis and the ongoing efforts to address it. The most memorable aspect of my time in Baku was undoubtedly the time spent in the Blue Zone, where I could engage in talks that aligned with my interests, particularly those focused on green transportation, carbon capture as well as climate finance for those initiatives. Another highlight of my time at COP29 was meeting and discussing with key political figures their view of the conference. These included Mark W. Libby, the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, and Esther de Lange, Head of Cabinet for the European Union Commissioner for Climate Action. These interactions were particularly impactful, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the intricacies of international climate diplomacy.
What struck me the most was the stark contrast in the dynamics of roundtable discussions between governments and private industries. The disconnect was palpable—while some representatives showed genuine commitment to sustainability, others seemed to fall into greenwashing, evident in speeches that lacked substance. This disparity highlighted how difficult it can be to implement meaningful initiatives at the governmental level, yet it also underscored the necessity of holding all stakeholders accountable.
Panels and keynotes on carbon capture, green transportation, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) initiatives in developing countries connected directly to my physics coursework at UChicago. I was impressed by Chile’s commitment to green transportation, particularly after hearing from their Minister of Transport, Juan Carlos Muñoz, who spoke about their pioneering efforts. The capital, Santiago, has positioned itself as the city outside China with the largest number of electric buses, with 2,000 in its fleet. This example reinforced the importance of national initiatives in tackling global climate challenges, and I learned that developing countries like Chile are crucial to the success of the climate transition. Another action that I found of particular interest was the Breathe Mongolia initiative, which focuses on collecting data on air pollution in Mongolia, where many people need to burn their own coal because of the lack of infrastructure. They provided concrete examples of how countries and local organizations are innovating within their unique contexts.
One of the key lessons I learned at COP29 was that, despite the progress, there is still much work to be done. Many critical actions are underdocumented or not communicated effectively, which means awareness needs to be raised in many sectors. The issue of financing the transition emerged as a recurring theme. And, as I saw in the presidency event on the first version of COP29’s NCQG on Thursday, coming up with a quantum objective is already a challenge. It also became clear to me that once that objective is quantified, the governments and the private sector will crucially need to collaborate and work hand-in-hand to achieve that goal.
I leave Azerbaijan with optimism after seeing how much work is being done, yet I also realize the enormity of the task ahead. Our objectives are incredibly ambitious, and while the window to meet them is tight, it’s clear that we must act now. I’ve also come to appreciate the importance of supporting developing countries in their sustainability transition. They play a key role in this effort, and the Global North must provide the necessary financial and technological support.
Looking ahead, I plan to explore in greater depth the projects I encountered at COP29, particularly those focused on carbon capture and urban mobility. Additionally, I am excited to bring the knowledge and inspiration I gained back to my university community, especially through the organization of an energy and climate conference in the Spring.