This past weekend, the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (or COP29) wrapped up in Baku, Azerbaijan, where ministers unveiled a new finance goal to help countries safeguard their people and economies from climate disasters while seizing the opportunities of the clean energy boom. Over the course of the two-week conference, NOAA played a vital role, sharing its scientific expertise and innovative solutions to drive international collaboration on climate adaptation and resilience.

“As the climate crisis intensifies, NOAA’s expertise is more relevant and crucial than ever,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “We are proud to see our contributions shape meaningful global progress and we remain dedicated to empowering communities, individuals, and industries  with the knowledge and tools they need to adapt and thrive.” 

COP29 convened representatives from nearly 200 countries over the last two weeks, along with scientists, policymakers, business leaders and environmental advocates, under the theme of “in solidarity for a greener world.” This year’s summit emphasized climate finance, building adaptive capacity, integrating nature-based solutions and accelerating clean energy transitions, with a special focus on climate-vulnerable regions.

Throughout the conference, during side events and bilateral meetings, NOAA experts in Baku reinforced the importance of data-driven decision-making and actionable science.

Top 6 highlights

1. On strengthening early warning systems: NOAA showcased its contributions to the UN’s Early Warnings for All initiative, focusing on integrating satellite data and forecasting technologies to protect communities from extreme weather events.
2. On the ocean-climate nexus: NOAA emphasized the central role of the ocean in climate solutions, presenting advancements in ocean carbon sequestration research and the expansion of global ocean observation networks.
3. On advancing climate information and services: NOAA shared ways to access new tools, such as enhanced models for predicting heat, sea level rise and climate-driven flooding, to support coastal regions worldwide in planning for long-term resilience.
4. On intergenerational and private sector engagement: NOAA engaged with federal agencies, private sector leaders, nonprofits and youth organizations to discuss the tools, programs and data that the agency is making available to support communities and decision-makers.
5. On extreme weather and climate predictions: NOAA provided insights on global trends in extreme weather, sea level rise and ecosystem shifts driven by climate change.
6. On supporting global adaptation initiatives: NOAA experts participated in workshops and panels to foster collaboration on bolstering community resilience to climate change.

Looking ahead, NOAA will continue its work with international partners to implement COP29 outcomes and drive progress toward a sustainable, resilient future. 

For a recap of on NOAA’s work at COP29, visit noaa.gov/COP29.