Advancing Natural Resource Governance: Key Takeaways from COP29
By: Blessing Ekpoh
COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev (third from left) with team members from UNEP, UNCEE, and WMO at the launch of the COP29 Declaration on Water for Climate Action. Source: COP 29 Azerbaijan
Introduction
Natural resource governance is key to tackling the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequities. How we manage and utilize the planet’s resources profoundly impacts our ability to achieve climate goals, protect ecosystems, and ensure equitable access to these resources.
The Conference of Parties (COP), an organized annual event under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), serves as a global platform for fostering collaboration, aligning strategies, and accelerating actions to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. Each year, world leaders, policymakers, scientists, and advocates gather to discuss critical environmental issues, share innovative solutions, and renew commitments to a sustainable future.
COP29 made significant strides in promoting climate resilience and biodiversity-friendly policies, it made a noteworthy step igniting conversations around resource extraction and supply chain challenges. The key initiatives and developments unveiled at COP29 offer valuable opportunities to enhance resource management practices and pave the way for a sustainable and equitable future.
Key Outcomes
A prominent highlight was the recognition of the crucial role of subnational governments in advancing climate and biodiversity agendas. The session “From Cali to Belem: The Leadership of Subnational Governments for Climate Action and Biodiversity,” organized by Lombardy and Regions4, showcased how regional governments have the potential to lead tailored, impactful policies that reflect local community needs and challenges. This recognition was not just theoretical; it was exemplified by concrete actions, such as Lombardy’s energy efficiency projects in public buildings, Quebec’s climate and biodiversity strategies that include a $10 billion climate action plan, and California’s innovative financing mechanisms for conservation. These examples underscore the importance of empowering subnational governments with the necessary resources, technical support, and financial mechanisms to bridge gaps in governance and drive outcomes that are nature-positive and climate-resilient.
The discussions at COP29 extended beyond subnational governance to the critical issue of water resources. The launch of the “Water for Climate Action” initiative, supported by nearly 50 countries and key non-state actors like WWF and Water.org, highlighted the need to integrate water-related climate adaptation and mitigation measures into national climate policies. This initiative is a significant step toward fostering regional and international cooperation on water management and reinforcing the scientific research needed to understand and mitigate climate impacts on water resources. Complementing this initiative, the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action served as a platform to deepen collaboration on water, climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and desertification. As COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev aptly noted, “Water is the link that flows between the climate, biodiversity, and desertification crises,” emphasizing the interconnectedness of these issues and the need for a holistic approach to address them.
Similarly, the Baku Ocean Declaration underscored the vital role of oceans in both climate mitigation and adaptation. It called for increased international collaboration, funding, and capacity building, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other vulnerable regions, to enhance ocean observations, research, and technology. This is essential to advancing ocean-based solutions that align with climate, biodiversity, and desertification goals.
The launch of the 2030 Marine Biodiversity and Ocean Health Breakthrough Roadmap at COP29 further solidified this focus, aiming to reduce the impact of the shipping industry on marine biodiversity. This initiative, aligned with global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, provides a roadmap for responsible ocean governance and marine conservation, with clear targets for the next few decades.
In parallel, At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the UK committed £239 million to support countries like Colombia and Indonesia in combating deforestation, This is part of its £11.6 billion climate finance pledge by 2026. The funding includes £188 million for the SCALE program to develop high-integrity forest carbon markets, £48 million to unlock private investment in sustainable forest enterprises, and £3 million to the UN for forest protection initiatives. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband highlighted forests’ critical role in climate security, reinforcing the UK’s dedication to preserving global forest ecosystems. The UK’s funding aligned with its commitment to reversing forest loss by 2030.
The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy spoke at an Asian Development Bank event on the Innovative Finance Facility for Climate in Asia and the Pacific. Drawing from his personal and political commitment to addressing the climate crisis, he emphasized the significance of empowering Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) as central to global efforts to combat deforestation and climate change. Highlighting the $1.7 billion IPLC Forest Tenure Pledge made at COP26 by 25 donor countries, including the UK, he reiterated the UK’s dedication to fulfilling and expanding this commitment. “This is our goal for the next IPLC Forest Tenure Pledge,” he stated, stressing the importance of extending these essential programs beyond 2025. The UK will collaborate closely with Indigenous leaders to plan the next phase of this pledge at the upcoming COP30 in Brazil, ensuring long-term support for these communities. Additionally, the UK has committed over 10% of the funding pledged under the IPLC initiative, reaffirming its role in championing Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship. The Foreign Secretary underscored a vital truth: preserving forests is not only essential to achieving global climate targets but also an investment in the survival and empowerment of Indigenous communities worldwide.
Lastly, during the Natural Resource Governance Institute’s (NRGI) press briefing, it was highlighted as mentioned by the UN secretary general that “The Race to Net Zero cannot trample over the poor”. Sequel to this statement, three pertinent issues were highlighted around benefits sharing, addressing core corruption and building regional and international cooperation as promising steps to advance the course of developing countries to realize the full potential of natural resource independence.
Conclusion
COP29, while a significant step forward, enhanced the urgency of addressing the critical gaps in natural resource governance (NRG). The conference offered valuable insights, demonstrating the interconnectedness of climate action, biodiversity, and equitable resource management. From the empowering role of subnational governments, as exemplified by Lombardy’s energy efficiency projects, to the critical importance of water conservation, highlighted by the “Water for Climate Action” initiative, and the vital role of the ocean, emphasized by the Baku Ocean Declaration, COP29 showcased what is possible when stakeholders unite for a shared cause. Additionally, discussions underscored the need for improved governance in mining to ensure sustainable extraction practices that align with the Paris Agreement and energy transition goals.
However, these glimpses must translate into concrete action. Bridging the gaps in NRG requires a multi-pronged approach. We must empower subnational governments, strengthen regional and international cooperation on water management, invest in ocean-based solutions, prioritize forest protection, improve governance of mining and empower Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
As the global community looks ahead to COP30 in Brazil, the challenge lies in translating these commitments into actionable frameworks that deliver measurable impacts. This requires a mix of ambition, robust funding, and meaningful engagement with all stakeholders, including local communities, civil society, and the private sector. Only then can we secure a sustainable future for our planet’s resources and the millions who depend on them. By uniting ambition with action, the global community can ensure that COP29’s initiatives are not just aspirations but catalysts for real-world change, securing a sustainable future for generations to come.
