COP29 in Baku: Unlocking New Paths for Corporate Climate Action
The 29th Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, focused on critical topics such as carbon credits, climate finance, and CBAM. We explore the key outcomes for businesses.
COP29 concluded last week with significant successes but also some setbacks. Among the progress made was the adoption of a comprehensive framework for a global carbon market. However, several questions remain unresolved, including ensuring adequate climate financing at the international level.
UNFCCC and climate negotiating process in the spotlight
As climate change continues to drive widespread environmental and social impacts, the role of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its annual Conference of the Parties (COP) has come under increasing scrutiny. The COP is the primary decision-making body of the UNFCCC, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on ecosystems, economies, and societies.
Meeting annually, the COP seeks to advance transformative climate actions aligned with the 1.5-degree Celsius goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement. The outcomes of these meetings consistently draw significant attention from the media, the business sector, and civil society, given their potential to shape global climate policy.
However, both the UNFCCC and the COP format have faced growing criticism from various stakeholders. Some have called for structural reforms to limit the influence of the fossil fuel industry in UN climate talks and to shift the focus from negotiation to implementing agreed measures. Others have pointed out the need for greater transparency, inclusivity, and effectiveness in global climate governance. Addressing these concerns is essential to ensure the COP remains a credible and effective platform for advancing global climate action.
Agreement on carbon credits as a major success
This year’s conference was notably influenced by the re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States and his anticipated withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Still, one of the key milestones was the consensus reached on emissions trading under Article Six of the Paris Agreement. This framework aims to establish a transparent, global marketplace for carbon credits, which support initiatives like reforestation, habitat conservation, or renewable energy adoption. Each credit represents a measurable reduction of one ton of carbon dioxide.
At the European level, the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) has been operational since 2005, using a market-based mechanism to curb GHG emissions. Since the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, efforts have been underway to outline specific rules for a global emissions trading mechanism. However, previous negotiations - such as those at COP28 in Dubai - failed to achieve consensus as the proposed standards were deemed insufficient by both the EU and developing countries.
The agreement reached in Baku paves the way for clear rules to calculate the credits awarded to individual climate projects. Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP29, hailed the development as a "breakthrough", but its success will ultimately hinge on effective implementation.
Enormous market potential for companies
For private companies, this development establishes a more structured and reliable framework for participating in carbon markets, simplifying investments in emission reduction projects. This is also reflected in projections, with the carbon credit market expected to expand significantly, potentially reaching a value of $250 billion annually by 2030. Such growth offers economic opportunities for businesses involved in developing, trading, or investing in carbon credits, while fostering innovation and competitiveness in low-carbon technologies and services.
Climate financing remains a sensitive issue
As with previous climate conferences, the debate over climate financing continues to divide opinion. While an agreement was reached in Baku committing developed nations to provide at least $300 billion annually by 2035 to help developing countries address climate change impacts, many developing nations and climate advocates have criticized the pledge as insufficient.
The stark contrast between the promised $300 billion and the estimated $1.3 trillion needed annually underscores the urgent need for substantial private sector involvement. Companies are expected to play a crucial role in closing the funding gap by prioritizing sustainable investments in the years ahead.
CBAM as a point of contention
The differences between developed and developing countries also became evident during the controversial debate on the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). CBAM seeks to impose a carbon tariff on EU imports of carbon-intensive products – such as steel, cement, and electricity – based on their carbon footprint.
The policy drew sharp criticism from Brazil, South Africa, India, and China, which argued that CBAM and similar unilateral trade measures are inherently protectionist. They claimed such measures could undermine the trade competitiveness of exporting nations and pose a threat to their economic development.
China and India pushed for CBAM to be added to the official agenda of COP29, calling for a global discussion on its implications for trade and climate objectives. However, their request was rejected by the EU. Its negotiator Jacob Werksman maintained that the UNFCCC is not the appropriate forum to address the intersection of climate policy and trade regulations, suggesting instead that these discussions belong at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
As a result, tensions surrounding CBAM remain unresolved, creating uncertainty about whether the EU and developing nations will find common ground on this divisive issue.
Harmonization between the CDP questionnaire and ESRS standards
On a positive note, COP29 brought encouraging advancements in sustainability reporting. EFRAG, an independent advisory body to the EU, and the global disclosure platform CDP, emphasized the high degree of interoperability between the CDP framework and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).
Through joint mapping efforts, the organizations identified substantial overlap between CDP’s questionnaire and the ESRS climate standard (ESRS E1). Preliminary findings indicate a dual benefit: companies reporting under ESRS E1 will find it easier to complete CDP disclosures, while those already disclosing through CDP will be well-positioned to comply with ESRS E1.
A detailed mapping report is set to be published early next year, ahead of the 2025 CDP disclosure cycle. This alignment allows companies to address the requirements of both frameworks through a single reporting process, reducing the administrative burden and minimizing data inconsistencies.
Harmonization also promotes the adoption of standardized metrics and methodologies, leading to higher-quality and more reliable data. This not only enhances the credibility of sustainability reports but also enables stakeholders to make better-informed decisions based on comparable and transparent information.
Transition plans are becoming increasingly important
Regulatory pressure is now extending beyond climate-related disclosures, pushing companies to adapt their business models to meet sustainability goals. Two years ago, the UN Secretary General's High-Level Expert Group released the “Integrity Matters” report, recommending that companies publish credible and transparent transition plans with clear short- and long-term targets. The aim was to encourage companies not only to publicly commit to net-zero goals but also to outline concrete, actionable steps for achieving them.
This message was reinforced during a COP29 panel hosted by the Exponential Roadmap Initiative. Transition plans were highlighted as a cornerstone of sustainable transformation for companies seeking to remain resilient and expand their business. Johan Falk, Co-founder of the initiative, underscored the strategic importance of transition plans, noting that businesses can treat them as a mere box-ticking exercise or leverage them as a tool to drive growth and resilience.
With regulatory frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) requiring companies to develop transition plans and outline strategies for achieving GHG emission reduction targets, businesses have an opportunity to leverage these mandates as a catalyst for advancing their long-term sustainability strategy.
Webinar on COP29 insights and implications
The outcomes of the climate conference were a central focus of our webinar "Navigating Decarbonization: COP29 Insights and Implications", which we co-hosted with ClimatePartner. Moschda Djalalyar, Team Lead Partnerships & Market Development at ClimatePartner Impact, attended the conference as a delegate and shared her firsthand insights. Friederike Nolting, Senior Strategist Consulting Services at ClimatePartner, and Anna Oltsch, Sustainability Expert at IntegrityNext, highlighted the importance of decarbonization across all scopes and discussed how the private sector can lead this transformation. The speakers emphasized several key challenges in this context:
- The critical role of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): NDCs are commitments made by countries under the Paris Agreement to reduce GHG emissions and tackle climate change. To achieve real impact, the private sector must also play its part in implementing these plans.
- Collaboration is key: Businesses and civil society must work together through industry initiatives, cross-sector alliances, and other collaborative formats to achieve global climate goals.
- Technology is indispensable: Digital solutions are vital for companies seeking to enhance efficiency, monitor emissions, and leverage data-driven decision-making on their journey toward net-zero.
How IntegrityNext drives sustainable transformation
Our platform helps you address key regulatory developments such as those discussed at COP29. From GHG emissions tracking and decarbonization to reporting and due diligence processes, we ensure that sustainability, compliance, and transparency are embedded across your entire supply chain.
The IntegrityNext platform offers the following solutions:
- Carbon Emissions Navigator – Monitor and manage emissions across your operations and supply chain.
- CBAM compliance – Align your processes with the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism requirements.
- Sustainability Reporting – Meet reporting standards such as the EU’s ESRS.
- Due diligence compliance – Fulfill obligations under regulations like the EU’s CSDDD.
To learn more about our solutions and how we can support you on your sustainability journey, schedule a personal demo with one of our experts.