The annual United Nations climate conference, COP29, has kicked off in Baku, Azerbaijan, but with a distinct absence of the big names and powerful countries that once graced these summits. The star power of past climate talks, reminiscent of a soccer World Cup, has faded in 2024, giving way to an atmosphere more akin to the World Chess Federation finals – lacking in recognizable names but rich in nerdy strategy and determination.
The absence of the top leaders from the 13 largest carbon dioxide-polluting countries, responsible for over 70% of 2023’s heat-trapping gases, is a stark reminder of the current state of global climate action. China and the United States, the world’s biggest polluters and strongest economies, are not sending their top leaders. The four most populous nations, representing over 42% of the global population, are also notably absent from the speaker list.
“It’s symptomatic of the lack of political will to act,” commented climate scientist Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics. He pointed to the absence of top leadership as a stark reflection of the “absolute mess we’re finding ourselves in.”
Despite the lack of high-profile appearances, the conference is still seeing a strong showing from leaders of some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. Several small island nations’ presidents and over a dozen leaders from across Africa are set to speak over the two-day World Leaders’ Summit.
While the absence of top leaders might suggest a waning sense of urgency, the focus is shifting towards strategic action and the voices of those most impacted by climate change. The presence of leaders from nations on the front lines of the climate crisis ensures that the conversation remains grounded in the realities of a warming planet.
The change in the dynamics of COP29 underscores a shift in the climate dialogue. While the lack of top-level representation from major polluters may be a cause for concern, the strong presence of leaders from climate-vulnerable nations and the focus on strategic action offer hope for a more collaborative and effective path towards a sustainable future.
