An insight into COPS effectiveness
COP 3 ,1997, Kyoto, Japan was Satisfied (with caveats). Adopted the Kyoto Protocol, the first ever treaty with legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries. It was a landmark agreement, though its impact was limited as key nations like the US did not ratify it and major developing economies were exempt.
COP 21, 2015 Paris,France, was Satisfied. A universally recognized success for producing the Paris Agreement, a permanent framework where all nations (developed and developing) set their own climate targets (Nationally Determined Contributions NDCs). It created a bottom up structure for ambition and accountability that has proven durable.
COP 26, 2021,Glasgow, UK, was Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. Maintained momentum post Paris. Outcomes included a commitment to "phase down" unabated coal power and increased focus on the 1.5°C temperature goal, but the agreements were seen by many as insufficient to meet the required 2030 goals.
COP 27, 2022, Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, was neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.A major achievement was the agreement to establish a Loss and Damage Fund to help vulnerable countries cope with climate impacts. However, progress on mitigation (emission cuts) was largely disappointing.
COP 29, 2024, Baku, Azerbaijan, was dissatisfied.The conference was largely disappointing, failing to deliver a coherent outcome on climate finance. The agreed upon new climate finance goal was significantly lower than expert recommendations, leaving developing nations disappointed.