The Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Climate Change Conference will convene, in its 29th iteration, in mid-late November, with the goal of creating a more equitable world by strengthening the implementation of the Paris agreement and enhancing international cooperation. This conference provides a platform for countries to come together and exchange ideas that will shape the future of climate action. In addition to shaping the future of climate change, the conference aims to make progress in areas such as sustainable cities and clean energy with the overarching goal of addressing unprecedented challenges, thereby serving as a reminder to act and protect the world for current and future generations. In COP29, delegates will engage in a wide range of debates aimed at addressing the pressing issues of climate change, with a goal of shaping the global climate agenda.

topics and questions to consider

Topic 1: Following steps to achieve the aims of the Paris Agreement, and advancing the goals of the Framework Convention on Climate Change

Questions to Consider: 

1. What are the most pressing issues from the Paris Climate Agreement that have been either unaddressed or unenforced?

2. What measures can be put into place to enforce the Agreement?

3. Are there any matters that were not covered, or not covered adequately, in previous agreements or previous COPs, that need to be covered presently?

4. How can the enforcement of the Paris Agreement be equitably distributed and fair to all parties?

5. What mechanisms can be implemented to hold countries accountable for their emissions reductions?

6. How can financial systems be restructured to integrate climate risk and support green investments?

7. What role do carbon capture and storage (CCS) and other emerging technologies play in achieving net-zero emissions?

8. How can trade policies align with climate goals to ensure sustainable global commerce?

9. How can countries improve the transparency and comparability of their emissions data?

10. What are the long-term plans, and what are their contingencies?

Topic 2: Addressing the impacts of armed conflicts on the climate.

Questions to Consider: 

1. How significant is the impact of armed conflicts on the climate, and how does it exacerbate climate change and environmental degradation?

2. How significant is the carbon footprint of military forces, and what can be done to reduce it?

3. What challenges may countries face while reducing emissions from military operations while maintaining national security?

4. How do conflict and instability affect a country’s capacity to formulate and follow through on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)?

5. How can post-conflict recovery efforts integrate climate resilience and environmental sustainability?

6. How does armed conflict facilitate the illegal exploitation of natural resources, and what is its impact on the environment?

7. How can governance structures and international agreements be strengthened to protect natural resources in conflict zones?

8. How can peace agreements and post-conflict governance systems include provisions for environmental protection and climate resilience?