The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 29, ended in Baku, Azerbaijan, on a note of disappointment for those who had hoped for real commitments from governments. In the hottest year on record, the gap between action and reality remains as wide as ever. Yet the international conference proved to be a unique opportunity for civil society to take action. As participants of the COP 29, we at Lawyers without Borders Canada offer a mixed assessment of the event but remain hopeful for the future.
This 29th COP was held from November 11 to 22 against a tense international backdrop, with the criminalization of those who defend the planet and human rights. The authorities of the host country, Azerbaijan, have been flouting international law and repressing political opponents, activists and journalists for many years, a situation we strongly condemn.
The agreement on a new quantified target is not up to the task, and above all the commitments by high-income countries to raise $300 billion by 2035 to help low-income countries fall far short of the needs of the populations most affected by climate change. Rising sea levels, erosion, floods and droughts threaten the survival of millions of people, exacerbate poverty and have a direct impact on the rights to life, health of the people in every region of the world.
Yet without the active participation of thousands of civil society organizations, the environmental cause and human rights would have suffered even greater setbacks. The non-governmental organizations present in Baku kept up the pressure on the leaders and negotiators.
“What moved me most during this COP was the unwavering determination of women, particularly indigenous women, who fight with incredible strength and passion to defend their rights and protect their territories. Their courage and resilience in the face of adversity are a true testament to their deep connection to the land and the community”, says our Director of Legal Affairs, Me Karine Ruel, who was present in Baku during the summit.
LWB Canada contributed to the climate talks in Baku as part of a side event, with Anti-Slavery International, on the themes of reparations and climate justice, but was also present in Cali at the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP16) accompanying communities experiencing the impact of the climate and environmental crisis. LWB Canada’s intention is to ensure that the human rights of people in vulnerable situations are respected, applied and promoted in the context of climate change.
The eyes are now turned towards COP 30, to be held in Brazil in November 2025. Civil society intends to mobilize over the coming months to make real gains in tackling the climate emergency.
Two requests for advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on the obligations of States with regard to climate change are also expected shortly.
LWB Canada will be following and commenting on these new developments over the coming months.