Choosing Hope: A Compass for Climate Action

For those working on the frontlines of climate advocacy, it often feels like an uphill battle against an avalanche. Headlines scream of ecosystems collapsing, nations backtracking on promises, and unprecedented climate disasters. COP annually reminds me of this feeling.

COP29, hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan this year, presents itself as yet another critical juncture in the global fight against climate change. With escalating climate disasters, rising emissions, and growing skepticism over the efficacy of these international summits, the expectations from COP29 are still, both high and fraught with cynicism.

Up till now, the conference made progress in certain areas, however, the criticisms it is garnering underscores the deep divides and systemic challenges that continue to hamper meaningful climate action.

One of the key advancements at COP29 is the establishment of a framework for international carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, aimed at unlocking climate finance through U.N.-backed carbon trading. While the introduction of international carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement has been hailed as a significant step forward in mobilizing climate finance, it has also drawn considerable criticism. Skeptics argue that reliance on carbon markets risks prioritizing superficial solutions over substantive climate action. By enabling wealthy nations in the Global North to offset their emissions through credits tied to mitigation projects in the Global South, critics contend that these markets could perpetuate inequities rather than addressing them. The focus, they argue, should be on direct funding for mitigation and adaptation, particularly in vulnerable regions disproportionately affected by climate impacts.

The disconnect between urgency and action becomes more glaring when everchanging political and socio - economic dynamics are factored in. COP29 saw the presence of over 1,700 fossil fuel lobbyists which sparked outrage, as their influence threatened to dilute the summit’s focus on transitioning away from fossil fuels.

Controversial discussions, such as the Azerbaijan-Russia "gas-swap" deal, were seen as undermining the spirit of the conference by allowing continued reliance on fossil fuels under the guise of clean energy. These decisions in the backdrop of global political shifts like Donald Trump's re-election and his stance on climate action adds fuel to the fire.

The Emotional Fallout of Climate Inertia

Many professionals in the sector report feelings of burnout, frustration, and hopelessness. A recent study in Global Environmental Change noted that nearly 60% of climate researchers feel that their work has limited impact on policy, while grassroots activists struggle with the sheer inertia of systemic change. Such despair is understandable when faced with a flood of scientific reports warning of accelerating tipping points: rising sea levels, unprecedented heatwaves, and collapsing biodiversity, yet seeing skepticism from a large part of the world. On top of it, add the ongoing global wars which not only cause immense human suffering but also accelerate environmental degradation. Military activities are energy-intensive, relying on fossil fuels for transport, logistics, and operations. According to the Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS), the world's militaries are responsible for 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The environment has long been a silent casualty of war and armed conflict. From the contamination of land and the destruction of forests to the plunder of natural resources and the collapse of management systems, the environmental consequences of war are often widespread and devastating. - Ban Ki - Moon, Former Secretary-General, UN

If COP29 teaches us anything, it is that the clock is ticking louder than ever. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that the world must halve emissions by 2030 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Every fraction of a degree matters; every year of delay compounds the challenge.

Finding Strength in Hope

Amidst this overwhelming reality, there are reasons—deep and enduring—to hold on to hope.

Hope is not the absence of struggle but the refusal to surrender to despair. For those immersed in climate work, progress often appears in subtle shifts rather than sweeping transformations. It’s the growing global awareness that was unthinkable a decade ago, the steady adoption of sustainable practices in unexpected corners, and the ripple effect of small victories that quietly reshape possibilities. The work we do may feel invisible, but it lays the foundation for larger changes yet to come.

If one thinks about it, the mere act of hope itself is an act of resistance. Many of us may not outlive to see the impact of our work but the collective will of people, though slower than desired, has consistently proven capable of shifting paradigms, whether through technological breakthroughs or changing social norms. The growing adoption of renewable energy, the resilience of grassroots movements, and the increasing pressure on corporations to adopt science-based climate targets are all evidence that change is happening, even if unevenly.

Hope lies in the unshakable belief that what we do matters. It’s recognizing that every effort, no matter how small, contributes to a future where humanity is not defined by its failures but by its capacity to rise above them. COP29, like the conferences before it, may have been imperfect till now. But it also reinforces the necessity of perseverance. Every act of advocacy, every effort to innovate or adapt, contributes to a larger tapestry of solutions.

Finding hope in the face of adversity is not naive; it is necessary.