COP29: Who was there to advance dialogue? Who was there to restrict it?

It was a month ago now… But the memories are still so much alive!

It’s been quite a challenge to complete this final step of the journey, but here we are, finally coming to you with a summary of the Open Dialogues team’s engagement at this year’s UN Climate Summit - the COP29 in Azerbaijan.

What did we do at COP29?

You have certainly already heard about our side event on 19 December, but we are especially proud of it this year! With over 30 people watching from the audience and with a diverse set of speakers representing our brilliant #ODCC2024 national teams and partners, we managed to have some true dialogue - not only among the panellists, but across the entire room! The conversation was such a fresh, empowering, and hopeful experience among all the uncertainties of a high-level political event, and a safe space for many people like us, who came to share their honest opinions and true stories of climate action at all levels! The programme ended up well balanced, logistically successful, and inspiring to many of our participants.

As we take with us the slides, the audience written and spoken contributions, and the recording of the side event, we will make sure to always keep them in our minds while preparing the next edition of the Open Dialogues on Climate Change, and any other projects we will undertake.

Throughout the 2 weeks, we also participated in the COP negotiations process, focusing on topics such as just transition, climate education and participation, and climate finance. We supported YOUNGO, the UNFCCC Youth Constituency, as well as other civil society groups in their political advocacy efforts. We made our voices heard by speaking during several side events across the different COP rooms and pavilions. We participated in an exclusive meeting of young leaders with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. We networked, we formed relationships and partnerships, we created ideas, and we shared stories. We kept the spirits high and we remained in action, against all odds. Many many thanks to everyone who was part of this journey!

It goes without saying that this COP was one of many lost hopes, as we saw so many important decisions failing to be delivered in the final days, with the Just Transition Work Programme that we closely followed leading this set, and the nearly-failed and unsatisfactory outcome on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance closely following it. Some of the events were incredibly alarming - the Azerbaijani Presidency trying to take control of the process and breaking its rules, certain delegations openly disrespecting others against collective progress, and the overall dynamic hinting at the world moving away from cooperation more than ever…

Well, at this special point in time, our mission appears more clear than ever: we must protect cooperation, we must preserve dialogue, and we must show the world how to do it. We will stay committed to do so - and we need all voices on board, including yours!

~Zuzanna Borowska

From UNGA to COP29: How Inclusive Dialogue can shape our World

“Change in the world starts from the individual’ (Destiny Afu)

Our recent DialogueON event ‘From the UN General Assembly 79 to COP29’ demonstrated that active participation and forums for dialogue do hold the potential to change the world. Joined by our two fantastic speakers, Destiny Afu and Marco Yeung, our audience engaged in productive dialogue on the involvement of civil society in international negotiations. 

Destiny gave a thorough presentation on what can be done to reform the UNGA and how we can better meet the challenges of the world today. With the increasing climate devastation, particularly in his country Cameroon, there has to be a new approach on global governance. Crucial to this is inclusion. Destiny stressed that international dialogue and cooperation is more important than ever. Civil society needs to push for collaboration opportunities and prevent paralysis within the system.

Marco provided a forward-looking account on climate finance ahead of COP29. From his years in sustainable debt finance markets and involvement in CarbonCare InnoLab, he will be attending COP to support discussions on the climate transition. Marco highlighted the need for a new funding goal post-2025 and exposed the budget challenges, particularly for adaptation and the Lost & Damage fund. This year’s COP is a critical year. Despite the ongoing disagreement between parties, Marco remains hopeful for progress.

The dialogue part followed with the same spirit of possibility. Both Destiny and Marco expressed their positivity for cooperation in the face of globalized challenges. Forums such as DialogueON open conversations and civil society participation.

One participant, Cyrus, spoke of the importance of a youth perspective and the growing need for advocacy. The audience agreed that change is driven by grassroots organizations. Marco emphasized that youth participation is the future, not the past. Historically, civil society has been marginalized from international politics but there is increasing consensus on the importance of observers and advocacy groups at events like COP29.

The event ended with a call for more forums of dialogue and education, highlighting the importance of active participation. Often individuals are scared to speak up, but we are global citizens in an increasingly interconnected world. The UNGA79 and Summit of the Future outcome documents demonstrated this. Now, we need to see the same spirit of cooperation and dialogue at COP only days away.

~Naomi Lea

How can businesses be socially responsible? We have now figured out!

Summary of DialogueON Corporate Social Responsibility

Our DialogueON event on ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ drew our highest attendance and opened diverse discussions on the ethics of business practices. We were joined by two keynote speakers; David K. Awusi and Abiola l. Agnontcheme, who reflected on company accountability towards communities and the environment.

David centred his dialogue on how businesses may build a stronger sense of social acceptance. A significant concern raised is that greenwashing is a facade of environmental responsibility without substantive action. Using the case of pineapple production in Ghana, David remarks how the industry is tainted by child labour. This example highlights the broader necessity for businesses to understand their impact on people, profit and the planet.

Abiola’s dialogue stressed the importance of initiatives like Africa 50, which focus on sustainable business models and prioritise climate projects, particularly in promoting affordable and clean energy. The need for making CSR and ESG goals measurable was also considered as the issue of company tax evasion calls on the need to tackle corruption as a critical step towards social responsibility. 

The dialogue followed with a series of discussion questions to all participants, who expressed the view that we should empower communities to hold businesses accountable. Grassroots initiatives were brought up, like David’s ‘Speak Up’ project that aims to educate young people to become citizen journalists, enabling them to report on corruption by using visual and auditory evidence. This is vital for pressuring companies to be more transparent and responsible.

The event concluded with a call to action, emphasising the use of boycotts and social media to mobilise public opinion and expose companies engaging in unethical practices. The overarching message was clear: CSR is a shared responsibility, requiring collective efforts to drive meaningful change. 

~Sophie Kumar