COP 29 was a failure, but human rights can pave the way for justice

COP29 in Baku will probably be remembered as the worst COP ever—a failure cloaked in empty promises and backroom deals hijacked by fossil fuel interests. Despite last-minute objections, a paltry funding agreement—the New Collective Quantified Goal—was pushed through: an increase from $250 billion to $300 billion annually by 2035, coupled with a vague aspiration of reaching $1.3 trillion. The reality is grim: inflation reduces this to a mere 1.5% real increase. Worse still, much of this funding relies on loans, deepening debt for nations already grappling with climate devastation. This isn’t climate justice—it’s exploitation.

It should sadly come as no surprise that the grossly insufficient funding agreement was passed without a single reference to human rights. The finance goal also lacked any mention of women’s rights or gender, despite the starkly gendered nature of the climate crisis. Women are 14 times more likely to die in extreme weather events, yet were deemed unworthy of specifying in the world’s signature climate finance document. This omission also undermines the broader struggle for gender equality, inseparable from achieving climate justice.

What the agreement left out precisely highlights that solutions are within reach. By viewing climate justice through a human rights lens, we see how transformative action is not only necessary—it’s achievable. Human rights offer a clear framework for equitable and effective climate action through policies that prioritize the voices and needs of those most impacted, while holding wealthy nations accountable for their historical responsibilities. “Climate finance is not a matter of charity, nor an opportunity to make money. It is a human rights obligation. Rich countries must pay up. There is enough money for public, grant-based climate finance,” stated our Executive Director, Dr. Maria Ron Balsera.

For example, rights-based fiscal policies can address the structural inequities in raising and distributing resources. Taxing just 0.5% of extreme wealth could raise $250 billion annually. A windfall tax on fossil fuel profits could generate nearly $1 trillion. Ending fossil fuel subsidies, prioritizing public grants over loans, and investing in a just transition can uplift everyone.

Human rights principles also demand a comprehensive reform of the global debt system, including debt cancellation for countries burdened by climate-induced crises, and restructuring debt agreements to align with human rights obligations. By prioritizing people's needs over creditors' profits, these reforms would free up fiscal space for nations to fund urgent climate action and social protection.

Achieving these systemic reforms requires unprecedented solidarity and collaboration among civil society organizations and social movements. Climate justice, economic justice, and human rights are all fights for dignity, and addressing these challenges demands breaking down silos and uniting across issues and sectors. We must work together, from grassroots activists to global advocacy networks, forging alliances that amplify our collective power. By standing united in the fight for a just and livable future, we can push back against entrenched interests and ensure that justice, equity, and human dignity remain at the heart of climate action. Now, more than ever, we must join forces.