Insights
Daniel Lapidus, Director of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, highlights RTI's innovative work in green fertilizer during a session at the U.S. Center at COP29. Photo Credit: U.S. State Department.
The 2024 UN Climate Summit (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, concluded with the adoption of a new finance goal. High-income nations committed $300 billion annually under the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) to help low-income countries reduce emissions and strengthen climate resilience. However, the pledge fell short of the $1.3 trillion requested, with concerns over reliance on both public and private funding.
A decade of negotiations also led to a significant milestone on carbon markets, establishing a centralized U.N. system to track and trade carbon credits starting next year. While the system could attract significant investment in climate projects, questions remain about market integrity and oversight.
Still, some participants questioned how COP can remain meaningful, given the uncertainty of global politics, the continued strong influence of fossil fuel interests—for the third year in a row it was hosted by a petroleum-producing nation—and the lack of rapid progress in slowing global warming and it’s increasingly devastating impacts from hurricanes, floods, extreme heat, and droughts.
RTI leads climate mitigation and adaptation projects that span numerous sectors across the globe, and several of our experts attended COP29. Here are their key takeaways.
Alyssa Mesich
"Once again, we’ve experienced the hottest year on record. It is a stark reminder of the accelerating impacts of climate change on our wellbeing and health. The evidence is all around us. From school closures caused by air pollution and extreme heat to a rise in mental health concerns. The ripple effects are being felt across every aspect of daily life. At COP29, the message was clear: we can’t afford to wait—we must integrate health into National Adaptation Plans and strengthen coordination between health, environment, and other sectors to protect lives and communities, especially those most vulnerable. Together, we must act decisively to create a safer, healthier future for all."
Daniel Lapidus
"As COP29 wraps up, and our hope of staying below 1.5°C fades, we enter a new phase of the climate crisis. Instead of charts and figures of the future, we can point to pictures and stories of destruction today. This year, I heard mounting dread seeping through the backdrop of Azerbaijan’s oil fields, but also the desperate hope of people who have dedicated their lives to addressing climate change. Indeed, as the climate crisis worsens every day and the destruction becomes more clear, it is sometimes difficult to see bright spots. But this year, I was reminded of a few. As the cost of clean energy continues to drop and becomes competitive with fossil fuel-based alternatives, its momentum appears to be unstoppable. Also, as the emphasis on agri-food systems seemed to grow in importance as that sector starts to finally get the attention it deserves for its potential to turn back to nature to promote economic development, climate mitigation, and climate adaptation. Or in plain language: Sustainable food. Biodiversity. Community. Well-being."
Ashley Boddie
"This was my first COP and I really appreciated seeing a range of stakeholders—from large agricultural associations and companies representing work in industrialized countries to organizations serving smallholder, marginalized farmers. While agriculture contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, farmers in low-income countries contribute only a fraction of the total yet bear the brunt of climate change impacts—a major point of discussion at COP29. But it’s inspiring that the biggest emitters are actually trying to do something about it, especially when met with the right incentives. Farmers are inherently interested in sustainability, but a real business case is needed to encourage changes in agricultural practices at scale.
There is also a growing recognition that adaptation needs to be promoted alongside mitigation, as farmers are already experiencing the effects of unpredictable rain patterns, frequent droughts and increased flooding. This rings true across the global north and the global south, but smallholders have the fewest resources to adapt. I hope the next COP continues to elevate agriculture and food security, while shifting the discourse from finger-pointing to identifying realistic solutions that work for everyone."
Jonathan Quebbeman
"Across discussions at COP29, a common theme was resilience, which defines how individuals, communities, environments, and even economies adapt to or recover from the impacts of climate change. Extreme floods, droughts, and heat are weather-related responses exacerbated by our changing climate. But one common link for adaptation across sectors is water. Flood prediction, forecasting, water storage, ecological management, energy generation, food security—all are affected or constrained by water. There is no single answer or universal response for water management, but it was very clear at COP that we must listen to the local voices, understand the local issues and needs, use local data, and define resilience to climate change in a locally aware context. Resilience to climate change is locally enabled water-resilience."
Tom Bishop
"Attending COP29 has been an uplifting reminder of the climate innovation happening at the community level and across the globe. From grassroots-driven nature-based solutions to new renewable energy and battery storage technologies, the creativity on display was a clear demonstration of the determination to address our shared climate challenges. Yet, amid the optimism, the final climate finance agreement fell short of the aspirations of many developing nations, reflecting a gap between global commitments and the realities on the ground.
The final funding agreement underscores the urgent fact that current levels of public finance, while insufficient, must be leveraged strategically to unlock significantly larger pools of private sector investment. By deploying public funds as catalytic tools—whether through risk-sharing mechanisms, blended finance models, or fostering enabling policy environments—we can amplify the impact of every dollar. Developing countries hold the key to many innovative and scalable solutions, but these require accessible and meaningful financing partnerships to thrive."
Candise Henry
"Offering a hopeful perspective at COP29, U.S. Special Envoy for Climate, Rick Duke, reflected on progress over the past decade. A decade ago, during his time in the Obama-Biden administration, climate researchers projected a 4°C warming future. Today, thanks to international priorities, national policies, and technological innovation, we’re on track for 2.5–3°C. While this remains above the critical 1.5°C threshold—underscoring the urgent need for action—it demonstrates that progress is possible when collective efforts are made.
To stay on the path to 1.5°C, four key priorities stand out:
- Targeting non-CO2 emissions in the energy and industrial sectors
- Halting and reversing deforestation
- Decarbonizing the industrial sector
- Deploying CO2 removal technologies
As many have emphasized at COP29, state governments and the private sector have important roles in the upcoming years to help the U.S. advance these priorities. Climate researchers and champions can work closely with these stakeholders to continue our collective efforts in reaching 1.5°C."
To learn more about RTI's climate work, visit our Center for Climate Solutions
Disclaimer: This piece was written by Alyssa Mesich (Senior Manager, Communications ), Daniel Lapidus (Director of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems and RTI Climate Liaison), Ashley Boddie (Senior Food Security and Agriculture Advisor), Jonathan Quebbeman (Director, Water Resources), Tom Bishop (Senior Climate Finance Advisor), and Candise Henry (Senior Energy Specialist) to share perspectives on a topic of interest. Expression of opinions within are those of the author or authors.