Sustainability Training for Local Hotels in the Lead-Up to COP29

In preparation for COP29, scheduled to be held in Baku from 11th to 22nd November, the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company, together with the State Tourism Agency, and the Azerbaijan Hotel Association is taking significant action to bolster sustainability competencies across all key members of staff. In support of this, hotels across Baku are participating in specialised training sessions.   The training sessions, designed in line with the Sustainability Guidelines developed by the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company and conducted by specialists from the relevant departments, aim to boost the sustainability potential of the local hotel sector whilst  aligning with international standards. These sessions target hotels across Baku, the Absheron Peninsula, and Sumgayit. These sessions aim to ensure local hotels adhere to high safety standards and  expand their knowledge of principles such as inclusivity and accessibility.   The Sustainability Guidelines created by the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company for the hotel and hospitality sector incorporate the latest international best practices. The guidelines tackle key issues, such as  the promotion of responsible resource management, support for the local economy, and the assurance of inclusivity, all aimed at achieving positive ecological, social, and economic outcomes. A central focus of the guidelines is to promote inclusivity, highlighting that all hotel infrastructure and services, from when guests first enter the building, must be safe and accessible for every visitor.   The guidelines also  encourage collaboration with local businesses and suppliers to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector, recommending the implementation of appropriate infrastructure and practices to conserve energy consumption and vital resources such as water. They also strive to reduce waste production - including plastics - and advocate for the creation of efficient management systems for recycling processes.

Initial Registration Figures for COP29 Revealed

The registration process for delegations from various countries participating in the COP29, hosted by Azerbaijan this November, is progressing smoothly.   As of the current date, the number of participants who have successfully registered for COP29 has surpassed 32,000. It is noteworthy that the registration process for this international climate conference commenced on June 24 of this year. Interest from diverse countries around the globe to participate in the conference is evident through the daily rise in registered attendees.   Considering the tendency for most delegations to register closer to the conference date, a further increase in registration numbers is expected in the coming weeks as the process moves forward.   The COP29, to be held in Baku from November 11-22, will serve as a main platform for shaping international climate policy and will be the focal point for discussions on combating climate change worldwide. Preparations are ongoing to welcome thousands of representatives from numerous countries to Baku for these critical discussions.

COP29 Presidency publishes final texts of Declarations and Pledges for upcoming UN Climate Summit

The COP29 Presidency today published the final texts of nine Declarations and Pledges as part of its Action Agenda for the upcoming UN climate summit in Baku this November. These documents provide pathways for all global actors to come together and commit to enhanced ambition across key climate priorities.    The COP29 Presidency’s Action Agenda, first outlined in an open letter to Parties and Constituencies in September, is a comprehensive set of initiatives designed to complement the formal UNFCCC negotiation process. While not part of the official negotiations, these Declarations and Pledges aim to catalyse action and ambition across all sectors of society.    With the final texts now published, government and non-government stakeholders have the opportunity to endorse these documents, which will be formally launched at the COP29 climate summit in November.   The texts, finalised following a period of public consultation, include:   COP29 Truce Appeal COP29 Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge COP29 Green Energy Zones and Corridors Pledge COP29 Hydrogen Declaration COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action COP29 Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste COP29 Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) Declaration to Resilient and Healthy Cities COP29 Declaration on Enhanced Action in Tourism COP29 Declaration on Water for Climate Action    The COP29 Truce Appeal has already gained significant traction, with support from 127 countries and nearly 1,100 non-state actors. It calls for a pause in conflicts during the COP29 period to reduce emissions from military activities and promote global peace.    In line with the COP29 Presidency’s two-pillar plan for the year, the Declarations and Pledges aim to enhance ambition across all climate pillars. They present opportunities for governments to incorporate sectoral targets into national climate plans and for stakeholders to agree on principles to strengthen collective climate efforts.   Alongside the Declarations and Pledges, the COP29 Presidency will release a programme of Presidency-hosted events for the UN climate summit. These sessions will bring together relevant stakeholders for focused discussions on thematic items and serve as platforms to launch the various declarations.   COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev said: "These Declarations and Pledges are vital tools to drive progress on climate action. They send strong market signals, help direct financial flows, and foster a sense of shared responsibility. I call on all parties and non-state actors to endorse these documents and help build momentum ahead of COP29. While signing these pledges alone will not deliver the changes we need, they play a significant role in supporting the COP29 Presidency’s vision to enhance ambition and enable action."   He added, "The final texts reflect valuable input from a wide range of stakeholders, demonstrating the power of inclusive and transparent processes in addressing the climate crisis. We thank our partners for their collaboration throughout this process. We are particularly encouraged by the early support for the COP Truce Appeal, which highlights the interconnectedness of climate action and global peace."   These initiatives are designed to complement, not replace, the critical work of the formal UNFCCC negotiations. They provide additional avenues for commitment and action, particularly for non-state actors who play a crucial role in the global response to climate change.   The Presidency encourages all stakeholders to review the final texts and consider endorsing these important climate initiatives, which collectively aim to accelerate progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement.