Heading into COP29, Implementation is Imperative for Transforming Climate Ambition into Delivery

The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, has arrived, and the stakes have never been higher. The world is not on track to curb global warming at a maximum 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Instead of making progress, we’re even farther behind this year than last year. To remain below the 1.5°C threshold, we must now reduce emissions by a whopping 42% by 2030 and 57% by 2035. And new political uncertainty is likely to make this lift even harder.

What Would It Take to Get on Track? The World Resources Institute asserts that “The single-biggest measure of success at COP29 will be whether the world can mobilize more money to invest in a safe and prosperous future.” Securing funding is critical for mitigating climate change in time, and it is almost certain that new commitments will be made in Baku. But there’s another equally important part of the equation: effective implementation. 

Our best chance at delivering on this immense challenge is to squeeze every bit of public value out of every single investment. And the only way to do that is to implement with excellence like our lives—and future—depend on it. ‍

Otherwise, new resources will fall short of their promise and potential—no matter the amount of funding available or the global political context.

Governments and public sector organizations often spend more time debating the intricate details of policies than ensuring those policies are implemented effectively, failing to test, learn, adapt, and get the most out of programs already on the books. To minimize the effects of climate change in the narrow window of time available, we have to change that. We must focus on driving progress at scale, deploying resources effectively to close the gap between climate goals and outcomes. Here’s what we think that looks like:

1. Investing (and Trusting) In the Ecosystem from the Ground Up: Building a resilient, innovative future means prioritizing communities as central agents in driving change. By supporting local organizations and leaders with resources and decision-making power, funders can foster solutions that are relevant, sustainable, and impactful. 

The Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF), for example, provides young climate leaders with the funding and tools to develop solutions tailored to their communities. This model promotes local ownership, builds capacity, and drives innovation, ensuring that community-driven initiatives align closely with the unique needs and aspirations of the people they serve. For funders committed to long-term impact, investing directly in community-led initiatives is a powerful way to unlock local climate innovations. This approach not only amplifies the impact of climate funding, but also builds a robust foundation of grassroots capacity, ensuring sustained progress and fostering an ecosystem of problem solvers prepared to tackle emerging challenges.

2. Transitioning from Passive Investment to Active Management: Traditional lenders and donors often plant seeds of capital then wait for results to grow over time. But we can’t afford to wait. The urgency of the climate crisis requires global climate finance institutions to move from a passive approach to a more proactive, results-driven one.

This shift requires institutional change; global climate funds need to think more like private equity investors. Private equity firms don’t just provide capital—they actively pursue value, managing investments with precision, offering technical assistance, and providing hands-on strategic guidance to ensure success. They’re involved in every step, aligning outcomes with ambition.

For instance, the World Bank’s approach in certain large infrastructure projects has evolved to include implementation support units, which actively ensure that teams use resources efficiently, meet timelines, and deliver on goals. This is the active management mentality that climate finance institutions need. It’s about more than writing checks—it’s about managing investments with focus and rigor, providing not only funding but also the technical expertise and hands-on oversight required to maximize impact.

While transitioning from passive investment to active management can seem daunting, we’ve found that setting up routine check-ins to evaluate program efficacy and impact is an important place to start.

3. Tracking Data Well: Accurate, real-time data tracking is essential to ensure that climate action stays on course. In Africa, reforestation initiatives like Africa's Great Green Wall use satellite technology to track tree growth and carbon sequestration in near real time. This allows for immediate interventions where projects are lagging, and enables better accountability.

Countries should adopt similar data-driven tools to monitor their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate initiatives, ensuring transparency and accountability. We have seen the power of this approach in other critical policy areas, where real-time data tracking has led to better decision-making and faster course corrections—key lessons applicable to climate action.

To determine the metrics you’ll track, consider which data points are measurable, meaningful, and moveable, and think about how they impact your NDCs.

4. Adjusting as Needed, Based on Data: Tracking data is merely the first step; the ability to pivot and modify strategies in real time is equally important. In India's solar power push, for example, granular data on energy output across different regions enabled policymakers to adjust incentive schemes, allocate additional resources where solar capacity was most underutilized, and fast-track projects where efficiency was highest.

Policymakers and practitioners must embrace flexibility, constantly iterating their strategies based on what the data shows is (and isn’t) working. We recommend developing a plan to course-correct when data shows you’re off track, and ensuring you have the right partners in place who can help.

5. Collaborating across Sectors: Climate change is a global challenge that requires cross-sectoral and cross-national collaboration. The recent success of international coalitions like the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People demonstrates how collaboration can drive rapid change. This coalition, which includes over 100 countries, worked together to push forward the 30x30 biodiversity target (protecting at least 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030).

Such collaborations should not only occur internationally, but also within countries, bringing together governments, the private sector, NGOs, and local communities to maximize impact. If you don’t have a group in place already, begin thinking about which leaders and stakeholders are knowledgeable, influential, and actively engaged in mitigating climate change.

We know firsthand how aligning multiple stakeholders around a shared, measurable goal—whether at the national level, local level, or both—can unlock new solutions and amplify impact.

Turning Ambitious Climate Goals into Reality

Adequate climate funding and effective implementation go hand in hand, and we need both parts to ensure a liveable future. While COP29 presents an opportunity for countries to set a new climate finance goal, let’s not stop there: Let’s secure funding and then use those funds to get down to the hard work of climate delivery.

‍

We’ve supported governments, businesses, and international organizations across the globe to deliver results on complex, high-stakes projects—from climate resilience initiatives to large-scale energy transitions. Connect with us to learn how we can help support your climate goals.

Photo by Cassandra Hamer on Unsplash