Lawmakers Continue to Attend COP29. Does it Matter?

As COP29 unfolds in Baku, Azerbaijan, lawmakers, NGOs, and companies are once again in the spotlight to address the escalating climate crisis. While these international summits ebb and flow in their impact on U.S. politics, this year feels particularly poignant as we move towards a new Republican-controlled White House and House and Senate. It raises the question whether COP29 will directly impact domestic politics on climate and what we should pay attention to.

Climate Finance Commitments: A central theme at COP29 is the mobilization of climate finance to support developing nations in mitigating and adapting to climate change. The U.S. faces international pressure to fulfill and increase its financial commitments. While it is unlikely that the Trump administration will increase or maintain existing international climate financing, other countries will be considering how to fill the void.

Carbon Market Mechanism: COP29 has seen progress in establishing international carbon market standards under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, facilitating the trading of carbon credits between countries. There is growing interest in the U.S. to institute a carbon border adjustment mechanism based off of EU carbon levies.

Methane Emissions: As COP29 highlights methane’s outsized role in driving climate change, it could provide momentum for U.S. methane regulations. The Trump administration is likely to roll back the Biden administration’s work on a methane fee, which could hinder global progress.

Global Pressure on Deforestation and Carbon Markets: The carbon credit market continues to grow, and with that comes increased pressure to issue credible credits. This COP will inevitably result in deeper thinking on the topic which will be utilized by U.S. companies and potentially the federal government.

Relationship Building: The relationships built at the international climate summits can be helpful to lawmakers, particularly who engage in foreign affairs. Ultimately, this is an opportunity for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to show their commitment, talk with companies and NGOs in attendance and better understand the most pressing global climate issues. 

COP29 offers a platform to reframe climate action as both a moral imperative and an economic opportunity. While it is unlikely to sway the U.S. significantly, it demonstrates that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle continue to show up dedicated to forging and maintaining relationships and showing that climate will remain a priority in the upcoming Congress.