What is COP29 and why is it important? 

The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), held annually, is the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference which this year will take place from 11th November 2024 to 22nd November in Baku, Azerbaijan. 

The annual COP conference is where critical decisions on global climate goals are made, as governments and key stakeholders unite to set targets amidst an increasingly worsening global climate crisis. With the situation growing ever more urgent - especially for countries like Afghanistan who are already facing dire consequences - the need to properly and sustainably prevent the situation from getting worse and support people to adapt is incredibly important.

What was achieved last year?

Last year, a breakthrough agreement on the 'Loss and Damage' Fund was made, marking the beginning of the implementation of financial instruments aimed at supporting countries disproportionately vulnerable to climate change. It motions for developed nations - as well as the private sector and innovative sources - to financially compensate for climate-related disasters, such as floods and droughts, occurring at heightened rates across the world. However, the $700 million pledged is far below what's needed for vulnerable populations, such as in Afghanistan.

COP28 also proposed the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to facilitate the phasing out of coal, gas, and oil. Additionally, The conference endorsed sustainable agriculture and recognised the link between climate change, conflict, and humanitarian crises, urging investment in climate adaptation.

What does COP29 hope to achieve? 

This year, there will be a special priority on investing in rapid and sustainable emission reductions to keep global temperatures under control and below 1.5°C as time runs out to do so. A key part of this year’s framework for action is “Enhancing ambition and enabling action” - or in other words, ensuring all participating countries are increasing their climate commitments and mobilising sufficient funds to turn these commitments into results. A few priorities include:

• Ensuring nations adopt ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) which outlines plans for emission reductions, emphasising transparency and accountability in progress reporting;

• Ensuring nations adopt National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) by 2025 to enhance resilience against climate impacts, particularly in vulnerable regions;

• Implementing Loss and Damage Fund created last year, to assist populations severely affected by climate-related disasters;

• Implementing an Inclusive Process for Inclusive Outcomes ensuring diverse participation while centering the voices of the most marginalised to create effective, shared solutions.

Afghanistan and the climate crisis

Afghanistan continues to be one of the countries most affected by the climate crisis, being eighth on the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index of countries most vulnerable and least prepared to adapt to climate change. This is despite being one of the lowest emitters of greenhouse gases. As a predominantly agricultural society, the livelihoods of ordinary Afghans are severely impacted by climate disasters like extreme weather, floods, and droughts exacerbated by rising temperatures. Despite this, Afghanistan was not represented at last year’s conference as the Taliban are not an internationally recognised government. This year Afghanistan will be represented by climate change activist, Abdulhadi Ackakzai. It is crucial that the experiences of the most marginalised Afghans, such as women, girls, and people with disabilities, are also prioritised at the conference, as the ones disproportionately affected by climate disasters. 

COP29’s focus on keeping global temperatures under control, investing in rapid climate adaptation, and inclusive decision making will highlight the issues faced by communities in Afghanistan and the rest of the global south who are facing extreme food and water insecurity and widespread displacement due to climate change. 

How Afghanaid helps communities affected by climate change 

Whilst conferences like COP29 are crucial for addressing the urgent need for sustainable systemic change to combat the escalating climate crisis, Afghanaid is actively providing immediate support to rural communities most affected by climate disasters. Our efforts focus on delivering practical assistance and resources to those who need it most, ensuring that vulnerable populations can withstand the impacts of climate change. Some of the ways we support include: 

• Delivering emergency assistance when disasters strike, to ensure communities have the food, shelter, and money they need to fulfil their immediate needs;

• Enhancing local capacity for anticipating and safeguarding against climate emergencies, while providing the necessary tools and training for effective responses;

• Reducing flood risks by constructing flood protection walls, hillside trenches and terraces, and lessening the adverse affects of drought by constructing water reservoirs, wells and pumps, and irrigation canals, while also planting trees and shrubs to restore degraded soil and enhance biodiversity;

• Increasing access to clean water by providing emergency water, sanitation and hygiene projects, water wells, reservoirs, water stand taps, and solar powered water supply systems which also helps girls stay in school;

• Improving access to food and income by supporting agricultural workers in adapting their farming techniques to a changing climate, providing them with drought-resistant seeds and protective equipment like polytunnels. Additionally, ensuring rural families have alternative income streams outside of agriculture to enhance their resilience against climatic shocks when they hit.

A multilayered approach is required to tackle the global climate crisis. While COP29 will address the responsibilities of nations and entities that have significantly contributed to the current crises and must take the lead in enacting bold, rapid measures, you can do your part too: it is our collective responsibility to work towards a sustainable earth and support those who are disproportionately impacted by climate disasters. 

One way to help is by donating to Afghanaid so that we can continue our life-saving on the ground efforts to support the most vulnerable communities in protecting themselves against ongoing and increasingly severe climate crises. While the largest responsibility lies with the biggest contributors, every individual action counts toward building a more resilient future:

Want to support local Afghan change-makers, but unable to donate? Here's some other ways you can help.