Amnesty International on Thursday emphasized the importance of prioritizing climate justice and human rights at the upcoming UN COP29 climate change conference, which will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22.

The human rights organization’s pre-summit statement underscores the necessity for COP29 leaders to integrate human rights considerations into all decision-making processes and highlights the pressing need for substantial climate finance to address the growing impacts of climate change.

Amnesty International, alongside other human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch, is also calling for strong human rights safeguards at COP29, particularly given shortcomings in the Host Country Agreement. The organization emphasizes the need to protect freedom of expression and peaceful protest for all participants and urges efforts to limit the influence of fossil fuel lobbyists.

With over 190 treaty parties participating in the conference, the spotlight for COP29 is on the pivotal role of finance in enabling countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions effectively and safeguard communities from the repercussions of climate change.

The COP29 Expectations Document highlights the potential of the conference to shape the future of global climate action in alignment with the Paris Agreement and the Global Stocktake outcomes. While previous COP agreements have laid the groundwork for transitioning away from fossil fuels and establishing funds for loss and damage response, insufficient funding remains a significant challenge. The gap between the resources required for adaptation measures and the resources available continues to widen, particularly affecting frontline communities most affected by climate change.

The 2024 UN Nationally Determined Contributions Synthesis Report reveals that current national climate commitments fall short of the necessary measures to prevent catastrophic global warming. COP29 presents an opportunity for nations to present updated national climate action plans under the Paris Agreement, due for submission by early 2025.

Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, underlined the urgent nature of the global climate crisis, warning that without decisive action, the world is on course for a devastating temperature increase this century. The escalating frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters, from droughts to wildfires, underscore the imperative for immediate and collective action to avert further environmental degradation and its severe consequences on human life and well-being.