• COP29 Presidency unveils the Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery to tackle the urgent nexus of climate change, conflict, and humanitarian needs.
• Establishes the Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub to coordinate peace-sensitive climate initiatives and support vulnerable countries affected by conflicts.
• An unprecedented collaboration between Global North and South countries, including Egypt, Italy, Germany, Uganda, the UAE, and the UK.

At COP29 in Baku, the COP29 Presidency launched the Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery (BCCAP), a milestone initiative aimed at addressing the critical intersection of climate change, conflict, and humanitarian crises.

Why it matters:

The adverse effects of climate change—such as water scarcity, food insecurity, land degradation, and human displacement—can catalyze conflict and instability, especially in the most climate-vulnerable regions.

Key details:

• The Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub is established as a cooperative platform to facilitate collaboration between national, regional, and international peace and climate initiatives.
• The Hub aims to ensure peace-sensitive climate action and scale up support and finance for the most climate-vulnerable countries also affected by conflicts and high humanitarian needs.
• This initiative builds upon previous efforts like the COP27 Climate Responses for Sustaining Peace Initiative and Germany’s Climate for Peace Initiative.

What they’re saying:

COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev stated:

“With a disproportionate impact on the most at-risk communities, particularly in developing, lower-income, climate-vulnerable, and conflict-affected states, the Baku Call emphasizes the importance of peace-sensitive climate action. It also prioritizes support for the most vulnerable groups, including women, children, and youth, who bear the brunt of these intersecting crises.”

Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov said:

“We appreciate the confidence of the Co-lead partners in entrusting Azerbaijan to host the Hub and reaffirm our commitment to continue inclusive, cooperative, and results-oriented operationalization of the Hub. Together, we must seize this critical moment to deliver bold and inclusive solutions, to turn pledges into tangible actions so that climate and peace nexus will eventually bear not a connotation of crisis and destruction but the one of peace and development.”

Special Envoy for Climate Change of the Italian Government Francesco Corvaro commented:

“We highly appreciate the leadership of COP29 Presidency in creating a truly inclusive and transformative process. By bringing together an unprecedented set of nations from the Global North and South, COP29 Presidency has exemplified the spirit of global unity and cooperation needed to address the climate and peace challenges.”

The big picture:

The BCCAP is the result of collaboration among countries from both the Global North and South, including Egypt, Italy, Germany, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. These nations have endorsed the Call, highlighting a unified approach to global challenges.

RELATED ARTICLE: ISO Launches Global ESG Implementation Principles at COP29

Background:

Developed through consultations over the past six months with international partners, governments, UN agencies, development banks, civil society, and the private sector, the Baku Call focuses on:

• Water Scarcity: Enhancing sustainable water management practices.
• Food Insecurity: Promoting climate-resilient agricultural solutions.
• Land Degradation: Supporting land rehabilitation and ecosystem restoration.

Looking ahead:

The Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub will coordinate efforts to deliver on pledges and mitigate challenges at the intersection of peace and climate. It aims to transform the climate and peace nexus from one of crisis to one of development and cooperation.

Follow ESG News on LinkedIn