Navigating the Breaking Point: Climate Crisis, Fragility, and the Quest for Global Resilience (COP29 Review)

By: Ibrahim Wambai

Introduction:

As the world stands on the precipice of an unprecedented climate crisis, whose ripple effects are shaking the very foundations of human security. From rising seas swallowing communities to desertification igniting resource conflicts, the intersection of climate change, conflict, and fragility has never been more pronounced. These compounding crises transcend borders, demanding urgent and innovative solutions.

It is not merely about addressing environmental degradation or humanitarian crises in isolation but about weaving resilience into the fabric of our global systems. We must reimagine how we respond to displaced populations, mitigate public health threats, and promote sustainable livelihoods in fragile regions.

This article delves into these urgent intersections, exploring how collective action, informed by science and strengthened by cooperation, can secure a future that is equitable, sustainable, and secure for all. The challenges are formidable, but the opportunity to act is now, and the responsibility lies with each of us.

The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, marks a pivotal moment in the global discourse on climate change, peace, and security. In an era where the planet is facing unprecedented environmental challenges. COP29 offered a crucial platform for policymakers, experts, and activists to examine the multifaceted nature of climate vulnerability, security risks, and the urgent need for collaborative, innovative solutions.

Against the backdrop of Azerbaijan’s own vulnerability to climate impacts and its complex geopolitical landscape, COP29 brought together key global players to forge new paths toward resilience. In this critical review, we will explore the key themes, discussions, and outcomes that emerged from COP29, with a focus on how the global community can leverage climate action to build peace and resilience in fragile regions. From climate finance to the role of migrants in loss and damage to scaling innovative solutions for food and water security, deepening the crucial intersection of climate change and conflict and the strategies that can transform our collective future.

Leveraging the Global Goal on Adaptation and the New Collective Quantified Goal to Transform Climate Security : A Focus on the IGAD Region and Beyond

The global community is increasingly recognizing the need to integrate climate action with peace and security initiatives. At COP29, the discussion around climate security took center stage with numerous sessions that explored ways to strengthen the nexus between climate change, conflict, and resilience. The spotlight was on regions like the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) characterized of a stretch of an area over of 5.2 million km² that comprises the countries of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, where the impacts of climate change exacerbate existing vulnerabilities such as conflict, displacement, and human rights challenges.

Climate Security and the Global Adaptation Goal

A key session in the IGAD Pavilion focused on leveraging the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) to transform climate security in the region. This session explored how to align climate finance with adaptation efforts, focusing on strengthening indicators for climate security and ensuring they respond effectively to the region’s challenges. The conversation centered around catalyzing climate finance to support security actions and addressing gaps in adaptation mechanisms that often overlook the nuances of conflict-affected and fragile settings.

Scaling Impactful Food, Land, and Water Solutions in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings: The Role of Science-Based Agribusiness Acceleration and Scaling Solutions for Fragile Contexts

Food, land, and water systems are the backbone of resilience in many conflict-affected areas. A session in the Water for Climate Pavilion addressed scaling impactful solutions for these systems through science-based agribusiness acceleration. This approach focuses on addressing the intertwined challenges of food insecurity and environmental degradation, particularly in fragile regions. The session brought together stakeholders who discussed innovative solutions for enhancing food systems’ sustainability while improving the livelihoods of displaced communities.

In parallel, the Resilience Hub hosted a critical dialogue on building climate resilience in humanitarian contexts, drawing on Mercy Corps’ experience. Here, the focus was on the complexities of climate-induced migration and how humanitarian, development, and peace efforts can intersect to build long-term climate resilience while meeting immediate needs.

What Can Migrants and Displaced Persons Bring to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage? The Role of Migrants and Displaced Persons in Loss and Damage

One of the most engaging discussions took place in Side Event Room 3, where experts gathered to explore the role of migrants and displaced persons in the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. This fund represents a significant opportunity to integrate displaced populations into climate action efforts, empowering them to contribute solutions for loss and damage caused by climate change. The session highlighted the potential of these communities to bring valuable insights and experiences that can inform adaptation and resilience strategies.

Harnessing Peacebuilding Approaches to Unlock Climate Finance in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings: Integrating Peacebuilding into Climate Finance

As climate impacts escalate, regions ravaged by conflict require urgent, peacebuilding-driven climate finance. At the IOM Climate Change and Human Mobility Pavilion, participants delved into the launch of the Centre of Excellence on Climate Action for Peace, a significant initiative aimed at scaling international cooperation and finance to build resilience in vulnerable communities. By emphasizing stronger partnerships between development finance institutions, the UN, peacebuilding actors, and communities, the session showcased how peace-positive climate finance can be operationalized to address the intersecting challenges of climate change and conflict.

Defending the Defenders: Safeguarding Human Rights and the Environment

While addressing the connection between climate change, conflict, and security, another vital session in the German Climate Pavilion focused on defending environmental activists. It emphasized the need to safeguard human rights defenders working in perilous environments where climate change amplifies conflicts and human rights abuses. This session underscored the importance of making the violence against these defenders visible and advancing policies to protect them.

High-Level Session on Climate Mobility and Sustaining Peace

During COP29, the High-Level Session on Climate Mobility and Sustaining Peace paved conversations into the growing urgency of addressing climate-induced migration and its implications for global stability. As climate change continues to displace millions, the session emphasized the importance of recognizing climate mobility as a pressing global priority that demands immediate and coordinated action.

The discussions highlighted the necessity of fostering international cooperation to create safe and regulated migration pathways. Participants stressed that these pathways should be human-centered and designed to minimize risks for migrants while supporting host communities with the resources needed to accommodate displaced populations. By ensuring that migration is well-managed, the session aimed to mitigate the risk of migration becoming a source of conflict.

Equally important was the session’s focus on linking climate mobility to peacebuilding. Proactive strategies, such as community-led initiatives and resource-sharing agreements, were presented as critical measures to ensure harmonious coexistence between displaced populations and host communities. Case studies from regions severely affected by climate change demonstrated that integrating peacebuilding into climate mobility strategies is not only feasible but essential for sustainable development.

Voices from the frontlines brought authenticity and urgency to the discussions, as representatives from vulnerable regions shared their lived experiences of displacement and adaptation. Their insights illuminated both the challenges they face and the innovative solutions they are implementing to build resilience in the face of adversity.

The session concluded with a unified call to action for global stakeholders to integrate climate mobility into peacebuilding agendas. It underscored the need to adopt forward-looking and inclusive policies that address the intersection of climate change, migration, and conflict, setting the stage for greater resilience and stability in affected regions.

Scaling up Climate Action in Fragile States: Hurdles and Solutions

The session on Scaling up Climate Action in Fragile States addressed the persistent challenges faced by conflict-affected and fragile nations in implementing effective climate strategies. Despite commitments made during COP28, these states continue to grapple with weak governance structures and inadequate access to climate finance, hindering their progress.

The discussions emphasized the need for sustainable financial mechanisms tailored to the unique needs of fragile states. Strengthening local governance was identified as a cornerstone for effective implementation, alongside the importance of designing inclusive and conflict-sensitive climate actions that prioritize the most vulnerable populations.

The session reaffirmed the urgency of addressing these hurdles through collaborative international support, laying the groundwork for scalable and equitable climate solutions in fragile contexts.

Building Climate Resilience in Humanitarian Contexts

The session highlighted the pivotal role of humanitarian organizations in addressing climate challenges within conflict zones. Actors such as Mercy Corps showcased how integrating development, peacebuilding, and climate resilience efforts can create sustainable recovery pathways while addressing urgent needs.

Discussions underscored the importance of leveraging humanitarian interventions to build long-term climate resilience, ensuring that recovery efforts are inclusive, sustainable, and sensitive to the complexities of conflict-affected areas. The session reinforced the value of aligning humanitarian action with broader climate goals to foster stability and resilience in vulnerable regions.

Shared Risks, Shared Solutions: Addressing Transboundary Climate Risks via Shared Adaptation Actions

This session emphasized the critical importance of regional cooperation in managing climate risks that transcend national boundaries, particularly in conflict-prone areas. The discussions highlighted how collaborative adaptation efforts can foster shared solutions, enhance resilience, and promote peace and stability across affected regions.

Drawing on the experiences of nations already engaged in regional climate initiatives, the session showcased best practices for tackling complex transboundary challenges, demonstrating that cooperation can turn shared vulnerabilities into opportunities for collective progress.

Realizing the Potential of Renewable Energy

At the Climate, Peace, and Transboundary Resilience Pavilion, discussions turned to how renewable energy could be harnessed as a tool for peacebuilding in fragile regions. The session highlighted how renewable energy access can mitigate conflict, provide humanitarian relief, and promote recovery efforts by offering sustainable, long-term solutions.

As the global communities look ahead, it is clear that the path to resilience and peace in fragile contexts will require collaboration, innovative financing, and bold, inclusive action.

Key Challenges and Roadblocks Despite the forward momentum at COP29, numerous challenges still impede climate action in fragile states. Financial gaps, political instability, and insufficient integration of peacebuilding into climate strategies were cited as major obstacles. In particular, the lack of coordinated efforts between governments, international financial institutions, and local communities remains a significant barrier to effective climate resilience initiatives.

Furthermore, the climate security framework is still evolving, and experts called for a more robust, region-specific approach that incorporates the diverse socio-political contexts of each region. This includes addressing the root causes of conflict, such as resource competition, migration, and human rights violations, within the context of climate resilience planning.

Looking Ahead: Bridging the Gap Between Ambition and Action As the world prepares for future COP conferences, the conversation must move beyond abstract commitments to concrete action. The discussions at COP29 have set the stage for greater integration of peacebuilding and climate resilience, but there is still much work to be done to ensure that global climate goals are realized in the most vulnerable and conflict-affected regions.

Countries in the Global South, particularly those facing climate-induced displacement and conflict, must be at the forefront of these conversations. The call for enhanced climate finance — one that is transparent, accountable, and equitable — must be heeded. Climate finance should not only aim to address environmental degradation but also support peacebuilding efforts, local governance, and long-term development strategies.

As the world looks ahead to the challenges of COP30 and beyond, the lessons learned at COP29 will undoubtedly shape future climate action strategies. The discussions at COP29 offered hope that a more integrated approach to climate, conflict, and fragility is not only possible but essential for building a peaceful, resilient, and sustainable future for all.