COP29 Climate Talks End With Modest Progress and Calls for Reform

The Baku summit saw incremental funding increases for developing nations but stalled on critical fossil fuel agreements, raising questions about the process's effectiveness.

The COP29 summit in Baku concluded with a pledge to triple annual climate finance for developing nations to $300 billion by 2035, falling short of the $1.3 trillion these countries say they need.
Efforts to include binding commitments on phasing out fossil fuels were blocked by oil-producing states, pushing key decisions to COP30 in Brazil next year.
China's influence grew as the United States prepares to reduce its international climate commitments under President-elect Donald Trump, with China encouraged to take a greater leadership role.
Side agreements included commitments by 25 nations to halt new coal power projects and initiatives on ocean protection, deforestation, and methane reduction.
Criticism of the COP process has intensified, with calls for more frequent regional meetings, clearer host eligibility criteria, and a shift from negotiation to implementation.