Reflections on COP29: A Perspective from Cedric Dzelu, Youth Focal Person of the African Youth Commission

INTRODUCTION

The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku marked a pivotal moment in global climate action, convening world leaders, activists, and stakeholders to negotiate urgent climate solutions. As a delegate representing the Africa Youth Commission (AYC) and the African Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ) Project, I had the opportunity to engage in high-level discussions, policy dialogues, and youth advocacy efforts during the summit's first week.

While COP29 witnessed significant breakthroughs, including the finalization of Article 6 carbon market rules, commitments toward the Loss and Damage Fund, and increased pledges for climate finance, these measures remain inadequate in addressing the urgent needs of vulnerable nations. As a youth advocate, my focus was on ensuring that young people’s voices were not only heard but also integrated into decision-making processes. This reflection captures my key takeaways, challenges encountered, and opportunities for future partnerships that can drive climate justice forward.

Key Highlights from COP291.

1.The Climate Finance Dilemma

One of the central themes of COP29 was climate finance. Developed nations pledged to mobilize $300 billion annually by 2035 to support developing countries. However, this falls significantly short of the estimated $1.3 trillion required annually to effectively combat climate change. Discussions emphasized the importance of accessibility and transparency in climate finance, with youth groups advocating for direct funding mechanisms to support grassroots initiatives.

2. The Approval of Article 6A major milestone at COP29 was the finalization of Article 6, which establishes a framework for international carbon trading. While this decision could unlock new opportunities for financing mitigation efforts, concerns remain about potential loopholes that could allow major polluters to exploit the system. Youth and civil society organizations stressed the need for robust safeguards to ensure that carbon markets genuinely contribute to emissions reduction rather than serving as an excuse for continued fossil fuel dependence.

3. Africa’s Climate Justice StruggleAfrica Day at COP29 was a powerful reminder of the continent’s disproportionate vulnerability to climate change despite its minimal contribution to global emissions. Discussions centered on scaling up financing for climate adaptation and green growth, with African leaders calling for debt relief, climate-friendly investments, and stronger financial mechanisms to support climate resilience. My engagements at the Africa Pavilion reinforced the urgency of amplifying African youth voices in these dialogues.

4. Fossil Fuel Lobbying and Policy InfluenceA concerning aspect of COP29 was the presence of 1,800 fossil fuel lobbyists—outnumbering the delegations of the 10 most climate-vulnerable nations combined. This underscored the persistent influence of fossil fuel interests in climate negotiations, making it even more critical for youth activists to push for stronger policies that phase out fossil fuel dependency and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

Challenges EncounteredDespite some progress, several challenges hindered deeper climate action at COP29:

Lack of Meaningful Youth Participation:

While youth voices were present, decision-making power still largely rested with political and corporate elites. Youth engagement must move beyond tokenistic representation to real influence.

Geopolitical Tensions: The global political landscape, including uncertainties surrounding the U.S. elections, impacted the negotiation process, slowing down commitments on climate finance and fossil fuel phase-outs.

Implementation Gaps:

The commitments made at COP29 remain theoretical unless backed by strong enforcement mechanisms. Many pledges, particularly regarding loss and damage, lack clear timelines for disbursement and accountability structures.

Potential Partnerships for Youth-Led Climate Action Based on my interactions and engagements, several organizations present valuable partnership opportunities for AYC:

Youth Opportunity and Transformation in Africa (YOTA): Youth empowerment and climate action.

Africa Just Transition Network: Advocacy for equitable energy transition.

Green Growth Africa: Sustainability and green economy development.

African Development Bank (AfDB): Climate finance and policy engagement.

New Forests: Sustainable land-use investment.

IDEA: Climate advocacy and awareness campaigns.

MAZE Environmental: Environmental innovation and waste management.

These partnerships offer avenues for resource mobilization, capacity-building, and amplifying African youth leadership in climate governance.

Looking Ahead:

The Road to COP30As we move toward COP30 in Belém, Brazil, it is clear that the fight for climate justice requires sustained advocacy, stronger accountability mechanisms, and deeper youth inclusion. My participation at COP29 reinforced my belief that young people are not just stakeholders in climate action—we are leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

To build on the momentum, we must:

Push for increased and more accessible climate finance for youth-led initiatives.

Strengthen youth coalitions to demand greater influence in climate negotiations.

Hold governments and corporations accountable for their commitments.

Conclusion

COP29 was a step forward, but the journey toward climate justice remains long. It is up to us, as youth advocates, to continue pushing for a just and sustainable future that prioritizes people over profit and equity over exploitation. The African Youth Commission remains committed to championing youth-led climate action, advocating for policy reforms, and creating platforms for young people to showcase their innovations.

As we prepare for COP30 and beyond, I call upon governments, international organizations, and development partners to recognize the invaluable role of African youth in climate governance. We are not just participants in these discussions; we are stakeholders, solution-providers, and defenders of our planet. Together, we can and must drive the change needed for a sustainable future.

Cedric Dzelu

Ag. Executive Secretary

African Youth Commission

cedricdzelu@gmail.com