COP29: keeping 1.5C and the hope alive
Climate Justice at COP29: The People's Pavilion and a Scorecard for Accountability
Today marks the beginning of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan—a moment that brings together world leaders, climate advocates, and civil society to address the escalating climate crisis. Amid the official negotiations and polished speeches, the Climate Justice Delegation, powered by the ACE Observatory and the People's Pavilion, stands as a beacon for grassroots voices demanding accountability and transformative action.
The People's Pavilion, a fully virtual space for dialogue and collaboration, serves as a vital counterpoint to the main conference. It amplifies voices from frontline communities, youth, Indigenous leaders, and activists who often face barriers to participating in high-level climate talks. This year, we introduce the Climate Justice Scorecard, a tool to measure and report how well COP29 addresses the critical demands for climate equity and justice.
A New Tool for Accountability: The Climate Justice Scorecard
COP29 comes at a time of profound urgency for climate justice. Frontline communities bear the brunt of climate impacts while contributing the least to the problem. Yet, global climate negotiations have often failed to center their voices and needs. To change that, the Climate Justice Delegation is introducing the Climate Justice Scorecard—a dynamic tool that evaluates COP outcomes against key justice-based demands. This Scorecard builds upon a set of consultations prior to COP29 such as the Alliance of Frontline Communities, the Latin America Regional Conference of Youth, and the African People's Counter COP.
The scorecard assesses actions in categories including climate finance, fossil fuel transition, land and food sovereignty, migration, education, community participation, and equity for environmental defenders. Each demand is rooted in the lived experiences of marginalized communities, drawing from frameworks like the African People's Climate Justice Declaration, the Equity and Justice Framework, and the Latin America Youth Climate Policy Brief. By holding negotiations accountable to these criteria, the scorecard ensures that justice is not sidelined in favor of compromises that perpetuate inequities.
What’s at Stake at COP29?
As negotiations unfold, three critical areas demand immediate attention:
Climate Finance: Will COP29 establish a new goal that ensure finance reaches frontline communities without red tape? Will the Global North finally step up with reparative funding, acknowledging their historical climate debt, and provide grant-based public finance that does not create more debt burden?
Fossil Fuel Transition: Africa and the Global South are demanding an end to fossil fuel extraction that devastates local ecosystems and economies. Will COP29 deliver a decisive phase-out plan, or will it continue to endorse false solutions like carbon trading schemes?
Community-Led Solutions: From food sovereignty to energy democracy, COP29 must prioritize community-driven climate solutions that uplift local economies and preserve ecosystems. Will negotiators commit to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) mechanisms and guarantee participation for Indigenous Peoples and marginalized groups?
The People’s Pavilion: A Platform for Justice and Collaboration
The People’s Pavilion is more than just a virtual space; it’s a movement. Designed to bring together activists, policymakers, and the public, the Pavilion hosts panels, workshops, and open forums where participants can discuss urgent issues like loss and damage, just transitions, and equitable finance.
As part of this effort, the Climate Justice Delegation will use the Pavilion to highlight the findings of the Climate Justice Scorecard in real time. Delegation members, including youth leaders and frontline representatives, will share their experiences, moderate discussions, and create opportunities for global solidarity.
Call to Action: Your Role in Climate Justice
COP29 presents a critical opportunity to align global climate policy with the principles of justice and equity. But progress won't happen without pressure from people like you. Here's how you can contribute:
Join the People’s Pavilion: Engage in discussions, share your perspectives, and amplify grassroots voices.
Track the Scorecard: Follow the Climate Justice Delegation’s updates to see how COP29 measures up to justice-based demands.
Support Frontline Communities: Advocate for reparations, direct funding, and policies that prioritize the most vulnerable from your home.
Conclusion:
As COP29 begins, let’s remember that climate justice is not just a demand; it’s a necessity. Through the People’s Pavilion and tools like the Climate Justice Scorecard, we aim to ensure that the voices of those most affected by the climate crisis are not just heard but acted upon.
Together, we can push for a COP29 that doesn’t just make promises but delivers tangible, justice-centered solutions for our planet and its people.
Stay tuned for live updates, scorecard evaluations, and stories from the frontlines, powered by the People’s Pavilion. Let’s make this the COP where justice prevails.