The twenty-nineth Conference of the Parties – better known as the COP29 UN Climate Summit, or COP29 – runs from 11 to 22 November. This year it takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
What is COP29 – and who attends?
The ‘parties’ refers to all the countries who ratified the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). Most have also joined the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
Between 40,000 and 50,000 delegates are expected to attend the yearly climate summit, including representatives from all UN member states, the EU and more.
Representatives from these countries meet each year to discuss ways to tackle the climate emergency.
Scotland and COP29
Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Gillian Martin is attending COP29 to continue Scotland’s strong contribution to climate change discussions and share the wealth of experience and expertise our country has in working towards the just transition to net zero.
Read more about Scotland’s contribution to COP29 on the Scottish Government’s website.
Health at COP29
There is a Health Pavillion at COP29, featuring a diverse programme of health-related events throughout the two-week conference.
The events bring members of the global health community together to explore solutions and evidence demonstrating the health benefits of tackling climate change – and ensure health is central to climate negotiations.
Health Day takes place on Monday 18 November, and there is also a day of events dedicated to the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate Change and Health (ATACH).
Find out more about the Health Pavillion and the events programme on the World Health Organisation (WHO) website. You can also read the COP29 Special Report on climate change and health, developed by the WHO and the global health community.
ATACH resources for healthcare
The Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate Change and Health (ATACH) was set up to build on the commitments made by 50 Ministries of Health at COP26, where they pledged to develop climate-resilient and low-carbon sustainable health systems.
ATACH aims to support countries to deliver on climate resilience and health sector decarbonisation through a range of activities and resources.
Access the resources (including a resource repository, case studies, and an additional ‘First Wins’ case studies library) and find out more on the ATACH website.