COP29: Another Betrayal, But What’s Next?

Well, here we are again. COP29 has come and gone, and, unsurprisingly, it’s a failure. The draft deal on the table? A disaster. But honestly, isn’t it starting to feel like we’re stuck in a bad loop? Every year we build up hope, only to be left with empty promises and watered-down deals. And yet, it’s crucial we don’t let this pass without calling it what it is: a betrayal. The stakes are far too high to sit back and accept this complacency. So, where’s the outrage?

The Bare Minimum: Is That All We Can Expect?

Let’s not sugarcoat it. The agreement that came out of COP29 isn’t even close to the urgent, radical action we need. This is the bare minimum, a weak compromise on issues that should be demanding all-out action. Take climate finance and the transition away from fossil fuels: did we see the scale of change we need? Absolutely not.

Our leaders are still pushing real action far into the future, talking about “decades-long goals” and “long-term ambitions.” But we don’t have decades. Climate impacts are here now. People in vulnerable countries are suffering right now. We need change now, not in some distant, politically convenient future. But instead of making the hard decisions now, the focus is on vague promises for a time when they’ll no longer be held accountable. It’s infuriating.

And then there’s the fossil fuel industry. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as usual, has been a major roadblock, prioritizing profits over the planet. Fossil fuel interests have too much influence, and it’s crippling the process. We’re facing an existential crisis, and instead of bold leadership, we’re watching our leaders protect the profits of the very industries driving this crisis. When will it be enough?

The Finance Failure: A Setback We Can’t Afford

Climate finance was supposed to be one of the most critical points of discussion at COP29. Instead, we got weak promises that are as far from adequate as you can get.

Here’s the kicker: the G20 already recognized that we need to scale up climate finance from billions to trillions. And yet, the commitment at COP29? A measly $300 billion annually by 2035. Let that sink in. Not only is this far from what’s needed, but it’s set for a time so far in the future, it may as well be fantasy. Developing nations need this money now, not a decade from now.

This $300 billion is supposed to help developing countries deal with the devastation of climate change, adapt to future warming, and move away from coal, oil, and gas. But let’s be clear: this is nowhere near the $1.3 trillion that those countries were asking for. It’s better than nothing, sure, but just barely. Some delegations called this a step in the right direction, but with many developing nations absolutely furious about being sidelined, I wouldn’t hold my breath.

And then there’s the roadmap to raise $1.3 trillion by 2035. It sounds good, right? But here’s the reality: nobody actually believes this will happen. It’s political theater. If the wealthy countries don’t follow through, vulnerable communities will suffer. Again. And we’ll have to answer for that.

The truth is, the money isn’t just a “giveaway.” Climate finance isn’t just about charity—it’s about securing a safer future for everyone. We all know that cutting emissions in the Global South is critical for the health of the planet, which in turn benefits the Global North by reducing climate-linked crises that spill over borders. But much of the finance will be loans, not grants. That means profits for private investors instead of direct, untied support for the nations who need it most.

The Quiet Rise of China in Global Climate Talks

At COP29, one of the most notable shifts in the global climate landscape was the growing influence of China, particularly as the U.S. remains mired in political uncertainty under the looming threat of another Trump presidency. While the U.S. struggled to move past internal gridlock, China quietly solidified its role as a key player in global climate finance. Although China is still officially classified as a "developing country" under the UN framework, this year, it took a significant step forward by voluntarily contributing to the global climate finance pool—a move that signals a much more active role in supporting climate efforts, especially in the Global South.

This shift in China’s approach could prove pivotal, particularly if the U.S. continues to falter in its climate commitments or if the political situation worsens under another Trump administration. China’s increasing financial contributions could become an essential part of addressing climate challenges, especially for developing nations that are most vulnerable to climate impacts.

"Trump-Proofing" Climate Finance

Though Trump himself was not present at COP29, his influence was felt throughout the discussions. Wealthier nations were keen to ensure that any climate finance agreements reached would remain intact, regardless of the political turmoil in the U.S. To that end, several decisions appeared to be designed with a "Trump-proof" strategy in mind. A key example of this was the push to secure funding goals through 2035, which many saw as an attempt to ensure that the U.S. could rejoin global efforts once Trump was out of office.

Additionally, broadening the base of contributors—by engaging China more directly—was seen as a way to ensure that climate finance efforts wouldn’t collapse if the U.S. backpedals again.

Ultimately, this COP wasn’t just about addressing the urgent needs of the present—it was also about anticipating the political challenges that could arise in the coming years. In many ways, the negotiation process became a struggle to protect the global climate regime from the unpredictable nature of U.S. politics.

Campaigners Grow More Vocal

One of the most striking things at COP29 was the increasingly confrontational stance taken by environmental NGOs and activists. They were not shy about calling out the weak deal on the table, and in some instances, they didn’t hold back in making their voices heard.

U.S. climate envoy John Podesta was chased out of a meeting area with chants of “shame” ringing in his ears. And throughout the talks, there was a strong push from these campaigners to outright reject the deal. It felt like a new, more vocal chapter in the climate movement was unfolding right before our eyes.

At the final plenary, when the deal was accepted, there were loud cheers from developing countries who spoke out against the agreement. For them, this was a far cry from the comprehensive action they’d been promised. Could this aggressive form of activism become the new norm at COP? It’s certainly possible.

What’s the Real Takeaway Here?

Here’s the bottom line: the science is clear, and the window for meaningful action is closing fast. We’re already feeling the devastating impacts of global warming, and that pain will only intensify if we don’t act. But the science also gives us hope—there’s still time to make a difference. But it’s not going to come from COP29, COP30, or any other round of diplomatic negotiations. It’s up to us.

The system is broken. The institutions that were supposed to save us have failed. We cannot keep waiting for politicians to make the hard decisions. It’s time for us to rise up, demand accountability, and push harder than ever for real action. No more empty promises. No more half-hearted commitments. We need bold, immediate change, and we have to hold those in power accountable to it.

So, what’s next? It’s simple: we cannot afford to wait. We need to build a global movement that demands real climate action. We still have time to make a difference—but only if we fight for it.

So, what do you think about COP29? Is there still hope, or is it time to take a new approach? Drop your thoughts below—I want to hear from you. Let’s keep this conversation going, because the world is counting on us to demand better.