As global temperatures rise and climate impacts escalate, the stakes at this year’s COP29 have never been higher. Held from November 11th-22nd, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan, the 29th UN Climate Change Conference brings leaders, climate advocates, and nations together to tackle some of the most pressing climate challenges. Hearts of Green is proud to be part of the Kenyan delegation, amplifying the call for climate finance, adaptation, resilience, and equity—particularly for African and other developing nations on the frontlines of climate change.
Why COP29 Matters for Africa and the Global South
The effects of climate change are disproportionately felt in regions like Africa, despite contributing minimally to global emissions. From floods in Kenya to drought across the Horn of Africa, the impacts are severe, affecting communities, economies, and ecosystems. COP29 represents a pivotal moment for the Global South to secure fair, needs-based funding to build resilience and support adaptation.
This year’s conference will focus on establishing a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), which aims to address these funding gaps with a more ambitious, predictable, and transparent financial target. For Kenya, and Africa as a whole, this could mean more resources for vital adaptation projects, such as tree planting, ecosystem restoration, and the implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
Key Themes at COP29: Climate Finance, Adaptation, and Resilience
- Climate Finance and the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG)
The NCQG is a reimagining of the $100 billion target that developed countries pledged back in 2009. COP29 offers the opportunity to set a financing framework that truly reflects the realities of climate needs in developing nations. Adequate climate finance would support:- Adaptation and resilience-building for vulnerable communities
- Mitigation efforts to reduce emissions
- Loss and damage compensation for nations experiencing irreversible climate impacts
For Hearts of Green, this funding is essential to our mission of landscape repair and transformation. Our work in Kenya—such as tree planting, ecosystem restoration, and community engagement—is grounded in climate resilience, but requires sustainable, reliable funding.
- Advancing National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)
NAPs are essential for nations to identify and address their unique climate vulnerabilities. COP29 will focus on accelerating progress from planning to actionable implementation of these adaptation strategies, moving from theory to action. Hearts of Green is committed to supporting Kenya’s adaptation efforts by engaging communities, planting trees, and building local resilience. - Loss and Damage Funding
Extreme climate events, such as recent floods in Libya, hurricanes in North America, and wildfires across Southern Europe, highlight the need for loss and damage funding. Loss and damage is not about charity; it is a matter of climate justice. For communities in Kenya, this funding could be a lifeline to recover from climate-related disasters and to invest in preventive measures to minimize future damage.
At COP29, Hearts of Green will work closely with the Kenyan delegation to advocate for climate finance that supports adaptation and resilience for all communities, particularly those in vulnerable regions. Our focus is on:
- Landscape Repair and Transformation: Replanting degraded lands and empowering communities to nurture and protect natural resources.
- Community Engagement: Encouraging tree planting, raising awareness, and empowering locals to adopt climate-resilient practices.
- Advocating for Fair and Accessible Climate Finance: Ensuring that climate finance mechanisms are accessible to African nations, without excessive barriers.
Through strategic partnerships, we aim to ensure that voices from the Global South are heard and that climate commitments are meaningful and actionable.
Our vision for COP29 is clear: a global commitment to a fair, needs-based climate finance goal that allows nations like Kenya to address the challenges of climate change effectively. A successful outcome at COP29 will not only support our projects at Hearts of Green but will also pave the way for a more sustainable, resilient future for all.
Together, with strong partnerships and continued advocacy, we can transform landscapes, empower communities, and build climate resilience. Follow Hearts of Green as we work toward a greener future at COP29 and beyond.