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The UNFCCC Conference of the Parties(external link) (COP) is an annual international climate change meeting held by the United Nations. International climate negotiations at COP are where the world takes decisions to respond to climate change, including the implementation of the Paris Agreement. World leaders and ministers attend COPs, demonstrating political will to address climate change, as well as holding countries to account for their climate action. COP is increasingly becoming a platform for countries, NGOs, businesses, youth, and indigenous organisations to run side initiatives and events that seek to influence the global rules, showcase world-leading climate action, clean tech businesses and innovative transition tools. In recent years, COPs have had 40,000-100,000 participants, with around 75% being civil society and business representatives and 25% being government negotiators.
Where is COP this year?
The 29th session (COP29) will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, 11-22 November 2024. Azerbaijan, as host, is expecting around 40,000 delegates. It is predicted the civil society element of COP29 will be smaller than COP28 in Dubai (which had over 100,000 attendees). Hotels and flights will still book out quickly, and those planning to attend will need to get on to this quickly. The COP29 website is not yet available, but you can keep checking updates on the UN Climate Change website(external link) for more information.
What are the key expected outcomes for COP29?
The New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance (NCQG) will be decided this year. This will be the first finance goal under the Paris Agreement and will address both the provision of finance (from developed to developing countries’ governments) and the mobilisation of finance (investments that are crowded in from other sources, instruments, and channels, including private finance or other innovative sources). COP29 will also follow up the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake (GST) from COP28, including the agreement to transition away from fossil fuels. Overall, work on a wide range of issues will be undertaken, including on adaptation, agriculture, just transition, gender, mitigation and carbon markets.
What is New Zealand’s role?
New Zealand is an active participant in the annual COPs and international climate framework. The Government sends a small delegation of officials from New Zealand and Tokelau, plus invited non-officials such as Iwi / Māori representatives each year, led by the Minister of Climate Change. New Zealand’s international climate change priorities are threefold: leveraging international opportunities to support New Zealand’s domestic transition; supporting climate resilience across the Pacific region; and advocating for effective global climate action. For our Pacific neighbours, climate change is an existential threat, and we push for collective action to get back on track to limiting warming to 1.5 degrees.
In addition to the official New Zealand delegation, many New Zealanders (including businesses, NGOs, researchers and media) also participate in COP as observers. Last year, around 100 New Zealanders attended COP28 on Party Overflow badges, helping make the kinds of connections needed for New Zealand’s green transition.
You can find out more about New Zealand’s role in global climate agreements on our website.
Can I go to COP29?
Most events related to the COP (including negotiations, most side events, country and organisation Pavilions) require a badge for access. Countries and accredited organisations(external link) can give out badges.
For COP29 the New Zealand Government is offering Party overflow badges to interested New Zealanders. This is intended to increase accessibility and to reflect the need for a whole-of-society response to climate change. If you receive a Party overflow badge you will be responsible for funding and organising your own travel. You will not be part of the official New Zealand delegation or be authorized to speak on behalf of the New Zealand Government. A badge will allow you access to the conference venue, so you will be able to attend events and, as space allows, observe some of the negotiations.
There are Q&A’s on our website. An application form will be available on the website around July when the UN Climate Change open formal registrations. Please email NZ.COP@mfat.govt.nz if you have any questions.