RMI heads to COP29 — the 29th UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties — with eyes wide open about the challenges the world faces in transitioning to clean energy quickly and fairly.
We are committed to re-energize the world, together, in ways that not only supercharge renewables, but unlock efficiency, mobilize finance, and slash emissions. We see that, while the solutions are known and market forces are trending in the right direction, political action has not kept pace.
In Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11–22, 2024, RMI’s team is on the ground – backed by 40-plus years of practice – mobilized to speed progress on these fronts and more. Below, learn about our related resources, experts, and events.
Featured
Events
COP29 Official Side Event – Beyond Blending
November 16, 2024 | 13:15-14:45 Azerbaijan Time (GMT+4)
Emerging markets and developing economies face a pressing challenge: driving climate action while ensuring universal energy access and economic growth. Small and medium businesses are critical to this effort, yet they are often held back by complex financial barriers. This official side event at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, hosted by REEEP, Acumen, CEEW, and RMI, will deliver key takeaways on effective financial mechanisms for clean energy and adaptation.
CFAN Post-NCQG: Scaling Climate Finance for Resilience and Opportunity in SIDS & LDCs
November 14, 2024 | 11:30-12:30 Azerbaijan Time (GMT+4)
With the support of Canada, the US, and Australia, the RMI-hosted Climate Finance Access Network (CFAN) and its regional partners are advancing tailored solutions that unlock access to climate funds and leverage private investments. As negotiations enter their last stages at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), speakers from Canada, the US, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and CFAN advisors from the Caribbean and Pacific will share their perspectives on how to effectively roll out new commitments, and how CFAN can evolve in its crucial role as a key delivery mechanism of international climate finance. This event will be held in person at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Call to Action: Committing to the Global Energy Efficiency Goal
November 14, 2024 | 16:30-17:00 Azerbaijan Time (GMT+4)
The potential for energy efficiency remains vast and largely untapped — but we are not on track to meet the COP28 outcome’s goal of doubling the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. The global community achieved only 2 percent efficiency gain last year, and even less…
All
Events
Webinar – Women Leaders in the Energy Transition Roundtable: Regional Leaders, Global Impact
For COP29’s Gender Day, join RMI’s Energy Transition Academy (ETA) and representatives of the Africa Minigrids Program, Women in Renewable Energy Network (WIRE), Climate Finance Access Network (CFAN), and Sustainable Energy for All network for a roundtable featuring women leaders in the energy transition from across the world. During the event, participants will discuss the criticality of women leadership for the energy transition and share their experiences and perspectives from working to advance renewable energy projects in the Carribean, India, the Pacific, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Financing for Resilience: Investing in People and Programs
This COP29 panel discussion highlights the Climate Finance Access Network’s commitment to bolstering national and regional capacity in climate resilience, with insights from both the Caribbean and Pacific.
Making Off-Grid Energy More Accessible and Efficient
Wini Rizkiningayu will be speaking at COP29 on why access to energy is an important tool to promote social justice. The session brings to light how governments, international bodies, and regulators can work together to accelerate meaningful change in the emerging future of energy access.
Jon Creyts at the Sustainable Innovation Forum
The Sustainable Innovation Forum 2024 returns for its 16th annual edition as an Affiliated COP29 Event, organized by Climate Action and other leading global partners, to the United Nations climate conference held this year in Baku, Azerbaijan. RMI's CEO Jon Creyts will be speaking during the event opening panel Wednesday, November 13, 9:35-10:15 a.m. local Azerbaijan Time, titled COP29: Enhancing ambition and enabling action.
COP29 Breakfast Roundtable
This closed-door event at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, will dive into key questions on how banks can navigate and influence the net zero policy landscape. What are the definitions, roles, and limits of bank policy engagement? How are market incentives, disclosure rules, and other policy and regulatory tools enabling finance for the transition today, and what more is needed across sectors and geographies? What are the practical intervention points that could shift the dial towards effective, ambitious economic transition policy that will unblock obstacles to scaling transition finance?
CFAN Post-NCQG: Scaling Climate Finance for Resilience and Opportunity in SIDS & LDCs
With the support of Canada, the US, and Australia, the RMI-hosted Climate Finance Access Network (CFAN) and its regional partners are advancing tailored solutions that unlock access to climate funds and leverage private investments. As negotiations enter their last stages at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), speakers from Canada, the US, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and CFAN advisors from the Caribbean and Pacific will share their perspectives on how to effectively roll out new commitments, and how CFAN can evolve in its crucial role as a key delivery mechanism of international climate finance. This event will be held in person at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Maritime Book & Claim Launch
Join RMI and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping as we launch the Maritime Book & Claim platform and discuss how book & claim can accelerate maritime decarbonization at this high-level event at the Danish Pavilion during the UN Climate Change Conference, COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Making Green Iron Corridors a Reality
This session at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, will explore the emerging trade dynamics for Green Iron Corridors, bringing together key public and private actors from import and export regions to provide a platform for partnership towards decarbonizing the iron and steel sector. RMI's Thomas Koch Blank will be speaking alongside representatives from government and private industry.
Call to Action: Committing to the Global Energy Efficiency Goal
The potential for energy efficiency remains vast and largely untapped — but we are not on track to meet the COP28 outcome’s goal of doubling the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. The global community achieved only 2 percent efficiency gain last year, and even less…
Solutions for Energy and Resilience: Project and Pipeline Development in the Pacific Region
Navigating and accessing climate finance to unlock critical funding and mobilize investments at scale and at pace continues to be a major challenge for Pacific Islands. While most of the conversation on access considers the ‘supply side’, a major pain point for the Pacific remains the countries’ and Direct Access Entities’ ability to put forward high quality projects and build robust pipelines at national and regional levels. While countries are clear on their priorities and many concept notes have been formulated, a majority of projects still fail in the early stages of the project development process or stall for years, accentuating perceived risk by investors. This panel discussion at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, aims to emphasize possible practical solutions to project preparation, development and de-risking for the Pacific region.
Ije Okeke at the Sustainable Innovation Forum
The Sustainable Innovation Forum 2024 returns for its 16th annual edition as an Affiliated COP29 Event, organized by Climate Action and other leading global partners, to the United Nations climate conference held this year in Baku, Azerbaijan. Bringing together global sustainability leaders across all sectors including business, heavy industry, finance, government and civil society, the Forum will promote transformative innovation and tangible climate action to help us go further, faster together.
The Energy Opportunity: An Optimal Caribbean Transition Scenario
Keeping the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal within reach is a matter of survival for Small Island Developing States. This panel of Caribbean leaders and energy experts will focus on steps that can be taken to foster a clean, just, and equitable energy landscape for the region, and provide an exclusive preview of RMI’s in-depth Caribbean Energy Transition Scenario analysis coming in 2025. The event at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, will identify strategies for regional and global policymakers, energy leaders, and investors to accelerate the transition to renewable energy in the Caribbean.
Solutions Dialogue: Scaling Energy Transition Solutions in Emerging Markets
This COP29 Solutions Dialogue will spotlight the Americas and Asia-Pacific. It will highlight the support available from governments, technical partners, and financial mechanisms to help emerging economies develop plans and take the necessary steps toward a coal phaseout aligned with the 1.5°C target.
Heavy Lifting: Innovative Pathways to Decarbonize Hard-to-Abate Industries
RMI's Thomas Koch Blank is at the United Nations climate summit COP29 and will be speaking at the Hydrogen Transition Summit on pathways to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries. The program highlights the challenges facing hydrogen projects and the global hydrogen economy, and offers innovative solutions to overcome these barriers to enable the rapid growth of the hydrogen ecosystem.
Harnessing the Power of Data to Enable Sustainable and Resilient Supply Chains
PSA International is featuring RMI’s Thomas Koch Blank at an event “Harnessing the Power of Data to Enable Sustainable and Resilient Supply Chains” in Baku, Azerbaijan, during the UN Climate Conference COP29. Against a backdrop of persistent geopolitical tensions and intensifying climate crises, global supply chains are becoming increasingly fragile…
Accelerating People-Centric Just Transition in Asia
Wini Rizkiningayu, RMI’s Southeast Asia director, is speaking on a panel hosted by AVPN at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. There is a critical need to accelerate a sustainable and equitable energy transition in Asia, ensuring that the benefits of a greener economy are fairly distributed…
COP29 Official Side Event – Beyond Blending
Emerging markets and developing economies face a pressing challenge: driving climate action while ensuring universal energy access and economic growth. Small and medium businesses are critical to this effort, yet they are often held back by complex financial barriers. This official side event at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, hosted by REEEP, Acumen, CEEW, and RMI, will deliver key takeaways on effective financial mechanisms for clean energy and adaptation.
International Workshop on Accelerating Non-CO2 Emissions Mitigation Towards 2035
Through this event, government officials, philanthropies, civil society, and experts from China and the United States will come together to exchange information on policies, technologies, and measures to control and reduce emissions. RMI's Ting Li will moderate the first session, "Non-CO2 GHG Mitigation Potential and Priorities," and Tom Frankiewicz will be involved in the second session, "Methane Mitigation in Energy and Waste Sectors."
Transforming Waste: Driving Down Emissions through Government and Civil Society Initiatives
Waste sector actions have historically been developed to address environmental health and public sanitation. With the global methane pledge, there is a huge push to address emissions from the solid waste sector. This event at COP29 will consist of two panels to showcase the steps being taken by government and…
Capacity Building Done Right: Caribbean-Led Climate Action for a Resilient Future
This event at COP29 highlights RMI’s Climate Finance Access Network’s (CFAN) innovative approach to empowering Caribbean nations with the skills and tools necessary for impactful climate finance access and project development. Through practical training and embedded advisors, CFAN champions a uniquely Caribbean-led approach to climate resilience, ensuring local voices and solutions are at the forefront.
Sustainable Skies: Charting the Course for Aviation Fuel in Emerging Markets
RMI returns to the We Mean Business Coalition at COP29 with an event investigating sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), which are vital for achieving net-zero emissions in aviation by 2050. Made from sources like vegetable oils, waste, and captured carbon, SAFs offer a cleaner alternative. Thomas Koch Blank, an RMI managing director, joins industry leaders to assess SAF potential in emerging markets and address barriers such as financing access. This event will be livestreamed here on November 20 at 12:00-13:00 Azerbaijan Time (GMT+4) and on demand afterward.
Emissions Transparency – Catalyst to Action in the Waste Sector
During this event at COP29 hosted by RMI's Tom Frankiwiewicz, panelists will discuss the barriers to action in the waste sector and how bringing greater visibility to current emissions and creating a pathway to measuring and verifying emission reductions will move financial and regulatory stakeholders to action.
Media
Contacts
For media inquiries or to connect with experts on the ground in Baku please contact:
Jake Thompson
jake.thompson@rmi.org
WhatsApp: +1 (301) 602-3627
Dina Cappiello
dcappiello@rmi.org
WhatsApp: +1 (202) 415-5642
