The Conference of the Parties (COP29) faced a significant setback as it failed to quicken the sluggish pace of post-Paris adaptation negotiations. Despite the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issuing an urgent call in its 6th Assessment Report for enhanced ambition and quicker action on adaptation, little progress was made.

"COP29's Impact on Adaptation Negotiations Unclear"

Finance's Limitations in Adaptation

Even with the prospect of increased adaptation finance, its impact remains constrained. National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) often lack coherence and ambition, presenting wish lists of desired actions instead of integrated and programmatic approaches. This hinders the effective utilization of funds and limits the potential for meaningful change. 2: The lack of a unified and focused NAP framework means that the available financial resources are not being allocated optimally. There is a need for a more coordinated and strategic approach to ensure that funding reaches the areas that require it the most and leads to tangible results.

Discussions in Baku and Unresolved Issues

The discussions held in Baku centered around the crucial need for finance to support the implementation of NAPs. Additionally, the importance of considering gender, age, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities during the preparation and implementation of NAPs was emphasized. However, a decision could not be reached, and a draft text with around 159 pairs of square brackets indicating unresolved wording will be revisited in Bonn in June 2025. 2: This highlights the complexity and challenges involved in reaching consensus on crucial adaptation-related matters. The inability to resolve these issues at COP29 delays the progress needed to address the urgent challenges of climate change.

The Fragmented Nature of Adaptation Negotiations

The fragmented nature of adaptation negotiations in Baku resulted in only paper progress, perpetuating cycles of negotiation that postpone implementation. The Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) serves as a prime example of this stagnation. 2: When initial attempts to operationalize the GGA proved unsuccessful, the Glasgow–Sharm el-Sheikh Work Programme was launched in 2021. After two years and eight workshops, it led to the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience, which in turn initiated the two-year UAE–Belém Work Programme to develop indicators for measuring adaptation progress.

Procedural Diversion and Delayed Action

COP29 continued the pattern of procedural diversion from action, focusing more on maintaining the appearance of progress through deferring difficult decisions on technical issues where countries have differences. Parties established the Baku High-Level Dialogue on Adaptation to identify ways to enhance the implementation of the UAE Framework and launched the Baku Adaptation Road Map to advance progress towards the GGA. The modalities for work under this road map will be further negotiated in 2025. 2: This diversion from action only exacerbates the gap between the need for adaptation and our ability to take meaningful steps. The delay in reaching decisions and implementing actions further distances us from effectively coping with the rapidly changing climate.

The Growing Need for Adaptation Action

As our climate continues to change at an accelerated rate, the adaptation action required to address these changes becomes more challenging. The current state of affairs, with ongoing negotiations and delays, leaves us further from being able to effectively respond to the impacts of climate change. 2: There is an urgent need for a more concerted effort and a shift in focus towards implementing practical adaptation measures rather than getting stuck in endless negotiations. Only by taking decisive action can we hope to make a meaningful difference in the face of a changing climate.