NOAA experts on the ground at COP29, U.N.'s annual summit to advance global action on the climate crisis
NOAA leaders and climate experts will participate as part of the U.S. delegation to the 29th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP29) being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11-22.
Annual U.N. COP climate summits bring nations together to discuss the intersection of climate science and international policymaking — principally, what actions should be taken to reduce harmful human-driven emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases that are accelerating Earth’s warming and causing severe consequences for human lives and livelihoods.
NOAA experts will be in Baku as part of the U.S. delegation to highlight how the agency’s actionable climate data and services empower people to make informed decisions in the face of a growing climate crisis. Use the buttons below to explore this page.
The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) has come to an end, 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. This article by NOAA.gov offers a list of NOAA highlights from the meeting.
Top 6 highlights
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
NOAA experts are on the ground in Baku as part of the U.S. delegation to highlight how the agency’s actionable climate data and services empower people to make informed decisions in the face of a growing climate crisis. Below are our key spokespeople.
NOAA experts (clockwise from top left): Rick Spinrad, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator; Lauren Gibson, Ph.D., policy advisor; Michael C. Morgan, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere; Amanda McCarty, director of NOAA’s Climate-Ready Nation initiative; and Tom Di Liberto, Communications, Lead for the U.S. Center (on detail to U.S. State Department).
NOAA's broader delegation includes experts who will participate in negotiations, policy discussions and speak at events.
- Rachel Brittin, Communications
- Bryan Costa, Principal Investigator, Research Ecologist
- LT Blair Delean, Flag Aide
- Geoffrey Dipre, Ph.D., International Affairs Specialist
- Vanda Grubisic, Ph.D., Director of NOAA’s Global Monitoring Laboratory
- Rakhi Kasat, Senior International Affairs Specialist
- Venkatachalam “Ram” Ramaswamy, Ph.D., Director of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory
About the Ocean Pavilion
The Ocean Pavilion, co-sponsored by NOAA, returns for a third year to underscore the integral role of our ocean in climate and serve as the central hub for conference delegates to exchange ideas on addressing the climate crisis by leveraging ocean science and solutions.
About the U.S. Center
The U.S. Center featured dozens of events throughout the two weeks of COP29 featuring a diversity of sectors, issue areas, perspectives and experiences that are informing global action and the implementation of climate solutions. This year, NOAA Public Affairs Specialist Tom Di Liberto is on detail to the U.S. State Department as Lead for the U.S. Center. Every day, the U.S. Center will feature in-person and virtual events showcasing the diversity of U.S. climate leadership. You can follow the activities on X and check out live-streamed events on YouTube.
NOAA is participating in many events during COP29 at the U.S. Center the Ocean Pavilion, and other COP29 venues. As events are scheduled, they will appear below. Note: All times are GMT+4.
November 11
- 1:00-3:00 PM — Earth Information Day Plenary 2024 (Caspian, Area D). NOAA Participant: Rob Redmon. Watch.
November 13
- 9:00-10:30 AM — Global Methane Hub Event (Global Methane Hub). NOAA Participant: Vanda Grubisic.
November 14
- 1:00-2:30 PM — Ensuring the scientific independence of mCDR research in the shadow of the private investment (Ocean Pavilion). NOAA Participant: Amanda McCarty. Watch.
November 15
- 9:00 - 9:45 AM — America is All in Delegation Town Hall with FEMA and NOAA. Blue Zone G18. NOAA Participant: Amanda McCarty.
November 16
- 12:00-1:00 PM — AI, Machine Learning and Other Innovative Tools to Collect and Analyze Ocean and Climate Data (Ocean Pavilion). NOAA Participants: Michael Morgan, Ph.D. and Ram Ramaswamy, Ph.D.
- 2:00-6:00 PM — Earth Observations for Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation (WMO Pavilion). NOAA Participant: Vanda Grubišić.
November 17
November 18
- 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM — The GLOBE Program - Building Youth Environmental Literacy Toward a Sustainable Future (U.S. Center). NOAA Participant: Lauren Gibson.
- 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM — Youth Leadership and Expert Perspectives on the Future of Coral Reefs (U.S. Center). NOAA Participant: Lauren Gibson.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM — Navigating the Future: Bridging Shipping, Biodiversity, and Decarbonization (Ocean Pavilion). NOAA Participant: Rakhi Kasat.
November 19
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM — Women Leading the Wave: Innovators in Ocean Science and Climate Action (Ocean Pavilion). NOAA Participant: Lauren Gibson.
- 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM — Science Solutions Talk: Nature-Based Solutions (U.S. Center). NOAA Participant: Rick Spinrad, Ph.D.
- 3:15-4:00 PM — Building a Workforce to Support a Climate-Ready Nation (U.S. Center). NOAA Participants: Rick Spinrad, Ph.D.
November 20
- 9:00-9:45 AM — Dealing with Disaster: How the U.S. Government is Working with the Insurance Infrastructure Industries to Build Resilience. (U.S. Center). NOAA Participants: Rick Spinrad, Ph.D.
- 1:00-1:45 PM — Climate Resilience Infrastructure Workshop (U.S. Center). NOAA Participant: Rick Spinrad, Ph.D.
November 21
NOAA leaders and climate experts will be available for onsite interviews at COP29. Read more at NOAA.gov.
Direct any questions or interview requests to: Rachel Brittin, rachel.brittin@noaa.gov, (202) 809-0197 (In Baku)
Scott Smullen, scott.smullen@noaa.gov, (202) 494-6515
Lori Arguelles, lori.arguelles@noaa.gov, (571) 439-4084Learn more about how NOAA is creating a “climate-ready nation” and follow along with NOAA at COP29 on X at @noaaclimate and @noaa, on Instagram at @noaa, and Facebook using hashtag #NOAAatCOP29.