COP29: Weaving a Tapestry of Climate Action by Shifting the Focus from Negotiation to Empowerment

Insights from Merijn Dols , Future Economy Forum & NOW Partners Foundation

Photos by the Future Economy Forum team

Dissonance... this again the word that summarizes the UN’s Conference Of Parties as I flew back from Azerbaijan.

Inside the halls of COP29, delegates haggled over emissions targets, carbon markets, and financing mechanisms. These are topics that urgently need to be addressed. Climate change and the interconnected polycrises are no longer a thing of the future but have become day-to-day reality. But, the language inside the negotiations was sterile, the pace is glacial (although as 30 million tons of ice melt per hour we might need to review that expression), and the sense of urgency that is felt at a personal level gets muted by bureaucratic jargon and realities at a systemic level. Outside, the vibrant city pulsed with life, a reminder of the human faces behind the climate crisis.

This dissonance was palpable. While parties debated the "burden" of climate finance on wealthy nations, the infinite beauty of every individual on the planet was reduced to container terms like the "global north" and the "global south", I found refuge and hope in spaces created by the Future Economy Forum where the human stories and community stories unfolded. In the spirit of a "majlis" – a traditional Arab gathering for dialogue and exchange – and within the historic walls of the Baku Carpet Museum and ancient caravanserais, a different kind of conversation was taking place. Here, solutions were being woven together, threads of hope spun from the lived experiences of farmers, community organizers, and innovators.

The official outcomes of COP29, as expected, were disappointing. Progress on crucial issues remained stalled, hampered by political maneuvering and a reluctance to embrace bold action. The headlines spoke of financial commitments, of trillions of dollars needed to avert catastrophe, but only billions ended up being committed. Amidst the talk of an economic burden and feasibility studies, the human dimension of the crisis seemed lost. As economists calculated the cost of climate action, the voices of those already bearing the brunt of climate change – the farmers facing drought, the communities displaced by rising seas – faded in the background. An article entitled "It is feasible’: climate finance won’t burden rich countries, say economists" perfectly captured this dehumanizing trend, reducing the crisis to a matter of dollars and cents.

Yet, beyond the sterile confines of the negotiating tables, a counter-narrative was emerging. We brought together diverse voices – leaders from the Amazon, farmers from Africa, youth activists from Asia – to share their experiences and solutions. These were not abstract discussions; these put forth concrete solutions in communities and stories of resilience, innovation, and hope.

Yet, beyond the sterile confines of the negotiating tables, a counter-narrative was emerging.

The caravanserais, those ancient waystations along the Silk Road, provided a fitting backdrop for our evening events. Here, amidst the echoes of traders and travelers from centuries past, we wove a new tapestry of climate action. We showcased solutions that are already working on the ground, from regenerative agriculture practices that restore degraded land to community-led renewable energy projects that empower local communities.

Crucially, we brought these solution owners together with journalists from renowned media outlets like CNN, Devex, The NY Times and many more. We know that stories have the power to move hearts and minds, to inspire action and drive change. As David Gelles from The New York Times eloquently put it, "The small story that tells the bigger story." By connecting these storytellers with the individuals and communities at the forefront of climate action, we aimed to amplify their voices and bring their solutions to a global audience.

One such story came from the Andhra Pradesh Community-managed Natural Farming initiative in India. Faced with the challenges of degraded soils, water scarcity, and farmer indebtedness, this initiative empowered farmers to transition to chemical-free, natural farming methods. This shift not only revitalized the land and improved farmer livelihoods but also fostered community resilience and food sovereignty.

By connecting storytellers with the individuals and communities at the forefront of climate action, we aimed to amplify their voices and bring their solutions to a global audience.

Another story came from Ibrahim Abouleish, who 47 years ago started Sekem in the middle of the Egyptian desert outside of Cairo with a tractor and a piano. His vision was to create a sustainable community based on biodynamic agriculture, integrating economic, social, and cultural development. Today, Sekem, overseen by Ibrahim’s son, Helmy Abouleish , is a thriving oasis, demonstrating the power of holistic approaches to regenerate the land, empower communities, and create a more equitable and sustainable future.

We also highlighted the work being done in Kenya by PELUM Kenya Association , creating indigenous seed fairs that have become platforms of exchange beyond seeds. These fairs not only preserve biodiversity but also strengthen community resilience and promote local knowledge systems.

COP29, with its bureaucratic processes and glacial pace, may have fallen short of expectations. But the experience in Baku taught me that real change often happens outside the formal negotiating halls. It happens in the spaces where people connect, where stories are shared, and where solutions are woven together. It happens when we recognize the human face of the climate crisis and empower those most affected to lead the way.

These are the stories that needed to be told, the stories that offer a glimpse of a more sustainable and equitable future. These are the threads of hope that we wove together in Baku, threads to be carried out into the world, like the goods and ideas that once traveled the Silk Road, to inspire and empower others.?

But the experience in Baku taught me that real change often happens outside the formal negotiating halls. It happens in the spaces where people connect, where stories are shared, and where solutions are woven together.

As we move forward, let’s channel discouragement? at the slow progress of negotiations into energy for action, action focused on building bridges, amplifying solutions, and weaving a tapestry of hope.?

In Baku, the spirit of the ‘majlis’ and the cultural heritage of Central Asia, reminded me that even in the face of global challenges and adversity, the power of human connection and collaboration can pave the way to a brighter future.

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