Science and climate agreements: EOAS graduate student at COP29

Dec 20 2024
Christina Draeger in the Cryosphere Pavilion, COP29. Credit: Amy Imdieke

By Christina Draeger, Ph.D. Candidate in Geophysics, Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. 

How does scientific research influence policy decisions? What can we, as scientists, do to ensure our work has a tangible impact on shaping political outcomes? How are major climate agreements negotiated, and what role do researchers play in this process? These were some of the key questions I had the chance to explore at COP29 (the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference) in Baku, Azerbaijan, a global forum where countries come together to address the climate crisis and make commitments to collective action.

COP29 and me

At COP29, I volunteered as an Early Career Scientist (ECS) with the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI), which highlights the critical role of the cryosphere – Earth’s snow and ice – in shaping global climate impacts. I helped staff the Cryosphere Pavilion in the Blue Zone, the U.N.-managed area behind security where negotiations take place. My tasks included introducing speakers, moderating side events, and engaging with visitors to help make cryosphere science more accessible. I also had the opportunity to present my own research, linking it to broader discussions on climate action. In addition to my role at the Pavilion, I had the chance to attend negotiation sessions and plenary meetings and gained valuable insight into how scientific knowledge is integrated – or sometimes overlooked – in the decision-making process.

COP29 was dubbed the “Finance COP” because the main focus was on finding ways to help developing countries fund their transition away from fossil fuels and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Even though developed countries are responsible for most of the greenhouse gas emissions, it’s the developing countries that suffer the most from climate change. The negotiation process was slow and frustrating, with tedious discussions dragging on. It was especially concerning that leaders from major polluting countries were absent this year, while the fossil fuel lobby had more than 1,770 representatives there, making it the fourth-largest delegation at the conference. In the end, an agreement was reached, but the financial commitment for climate funds was far lower than what’s actually needed, leaving many developing countries feeling unheard and deeply disappointed. 

I was lucky to be able to shadow some of ICCI’s senior members during the negotiations, who gave me a crash course on past COPs and the key players involved. They also helped me navigate the jungle of COP terminology. Otherwise, how would I have known that AOSIS isn't a Wonderwall revival, but the Alliance of Small Island States? Or that I could attend the Infs (Informal meetings), but not the Inf-Infs (Informal-Informals)?

The Cryosphere Pavilion: glaciers and our climate’s future

Most of my time at COP29 was spent in the Cryosphere Pavilion, where we shared the latest scientific updates on everything from ice sheets and sea-level rise to mountain glaciers, snow, permafrost, sea ice, and polar ocean processes. We presented these topics through three potential climate futures: (1) With current climate commitments, where we’re clearly headed for exceeding the higher Paris Agreement 2°C warming limit, (2) if emissions keep rising at current rates without fulfilling even the existing weak climate commitments, and (3) with an immediate and rapid course correction to meet the lower 1.5°C warming target set by the Paris Agreement.

As a graduate student in my final year of a PhD in geophysics, focusing on mountain glaciers and improving how we model their melting processes, this research really hit home. In Canada, current models predict that we’ll lose 80-95% of glacier ice if emissions continue at their current pace, and even if we meet the current climate commitments. However, if we act quickly to reduce emissions and keep global warming to 1.5°C, glaciers in Western Canada will not only preserve more ice, but may even see some regrowth in the next century.

Melting glaciers don't just affect sea level rise, they also have serious consequences for freshwater supplies, hydropower, agriculture, and tourism. In my presentations, I highlighted how glaciers are crucial for balancing the climate and water systems. When they melt, it disrupts the water cycle, threatens fresh water, and puts energy security at risk. These changes affect not only communities near glaciers but also millions of people living downstream. As the ICCI’s slogan for this year reminds us, especially with the COP marathon of negotiations: “We can’t negotiate with the melting point of ice!”

In the Cryosphere Pavilion, I had the chance to meet many partners from governments, NGOs, academic institutions, companies, and civil society, all working on cryosphere issues. It was a chance to learn how to explain my research in a way that's clear and accessible to everyone – not just fellow grad students in my group who can handle all the jargon. Beyond the usual scientific talks, we also held film screenings and ended each day with meditation sessions called “A Moment of Stillness in a World of Climate Change.” Because, let’s be honest, after a long day of intense climate talks, a little stillness is pretty necessary.

Exploring Azerbaijan: a land of rich history and breathtaking scenery

After the conference, I took a few days to explore Azerbaijan with its rich history and stunning landscapes. I saw cave carvings up to 20,000 years old, visited an ancient fire temple, and made a trip to the beautiful mountains in the North. I also visited the Candy Cane Mountains, where the rocks have bright pink stripes and other vibrant colours, thanks to groundwater that changes the iron in the rocks. Just outside of Baku, it’s clear that Azerbaijan is a major oil-producing country, with oil rigs visible everywhere. In fact, it was the first oil-producing region in the world, with oil production dating back to the mid-19th century, making it an interesting setting for COP, to say the least. Along with the oil fields comes a truly unique natural phenomenon: mud volcanoes, where bubbling mud erupts from the ground. Azerbaijan has the most of any country – 350 out of the world’s 700! Not quite as dramatic as my colleagues studying eruptions like Hunga Tonga in Hawaii or Sabancaya in Peru, but hey, small differences, right? At least I can say I stood on an active, erupting volcano, and even poked my finger in it!

All in all, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to experience COP29 and get a glimpse into the world of policy. I gained a wealth of information, and while COP is a tough grind, it’s inspiring to see so many dedicated people – public servants, campaigners, and academics – working long hours in tough negotiations to push global progress forward. It’s a reminder that we all need to step up and take action together, and that there are others out there who share the same vision, all working toward a brighter future. After all, we’re all trying to stop the melting point of ice from winning!

COP29 sessions
COP29
Christina Draeger at the Cryosphere Pavilion. Credit: Amy Imdieke
Posters
Mud volcanoes
City streets
Ancient buildings
City lights
Candy Cane Mountains, Azerbaijan