Q&A with the Brain Behind COP29 on Event Sustainability

The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference promises to bring progress, but large-scale events can have a sustainability impact of their own. 

More than 32,000 people from around the world have already registered to attend COP29, including government delegates and sustainability leaders.

Planes, trains, cars and buses used by the attendees will all have an environmental impact, along with hotel stays, food preparations and even the venue itself. 

Narmin Jarchalova is Chief Operating Officer for COP29 and Chair of the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company.

She has been planning meticulously to ensure the conference’s environment will facilitate crucial negotiations and a setting where world leaders can engage in discussion and learning. 

Before taking on this role, Narmin was Chief Advisor to the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 

She shares her expertise with Sustainability Magazine ahead of COP29.

Why are you passionate about sustainability and how does it connect to the COP process?

I am hugely passionate about sustainability and it is an important part of my role as Chief Operating Officer for COP29 and a critical consideration across all operational aspects. 

Delivering a sustainable conference is of paramount importance to the COP29 Presidency.

We have conceived and organised the conference setting to facilitate a welcoming and productive environment for everyone, with the hope that this will support positive outcomes in the negotiations.

What drives this passion is a desire to leave a lasting legacy for COP29 first and foremost but also for Baku.

Our desire to host the conference and the journey to plan and ultimately deliver it shows our commitment to being part of the global conversation and finding solutions on climate change and we hope it will further enhance our country’s reputation and capability to host major international events. 

What are the key parts of the COP29 sustainability strategy?

We have developed seven guiding principles for our sustainability strategy: carbon neutrality, accessibility, legacy and continuity, inclusivity, transparency and accountability, safety for all and the promotion of sustainable practices. 

These principles created a clear roadmap for our sustainability team and this has been central and front of mind throughout all planning and any decision-making. 

To give you a couple of examples of what this means in practice — in terms of sustainability, our approach has included a carbon emission monitoring process, while for accessibility we have implemented extensive measures for visually impaired attendees including sign language interpretation and braille maps. 

How did you arrive at this approach?

To inform our sustainability strategy, we conducted thorough materiality assessments, engaging with both internal and external stakeholders.

This process required benchmarking against best practice at previous COPs and other international major events, with our team then building these key takeaways into all layers of operational planning.

These principles provide a clear framework for our decision-making, ensure consistency in our actions and foster a shared commitment to implementing sustainable practices across all aspects of our organisation. 

Are you implementing any new sustainability measures for COP29? 

In preparation for hosting COP29, one area of major focus has been the repurposing of Baku Stadium to ensure it is ready to cater for a UN event and the unique needs of COP, particularly its thousands of delegates from around the world.

This has seen us build completely new, state of the art office facilities and structures that are critical to the hosting of delegates and more importantly the facilitation of critical negotiations. 

The use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to power Baku Stadium is a new and very important measure that is part of our sustainability strategy at COP29 this year.

The use of HVO for powering parts of the venue this year will reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the conference. 

We have established a comprehensive waste separation and composting process and what is new about this is our partnership with Baku’s main waste management facility.

This facility is capable of sorting plastic, glass and paper to ensure all these materials are correctly recycled.

This aligns with our focus on diverting 100% of waste away from landfill at COP this year. We have even installed an on-site composting unit to which food waste from COP29 will be sent, with compost generated at COP29 to be used for landscaping around Baku.

To give you another idea of just how thoroughly and extensively our team has applied sustainability to every facet and feature of COP, we have also sought to ensure that all a large proportion of our food is sourced locally.

More than 90% of the food served at COP29 will be sourced from within Azerbaijan, reducing the environmental impact associated with long-distance transportation.

Additionally, we are implementing on-site composting projects to convert food waste into organic matter, embracing the concept of circularity and promoting sustainability throughout the event. 

What should businesses be thinking about in terms of sustainability this year at COP29 and beyond?

At COP29, businesses can and should get involved in the COP29 Presidency Action Agenda and thematic days.

Beyond the formal negotiations, businesses have the opportunity to support and implement the declarations and pledges and join the discussion on critical issues such as climate finance, energy storage and technology. COP29 is not just about discussing climate issues but providing the platform for action.

Beyond COP, we need a clear focus within organisations on strategy and governance that prioritises long-term sustainability, with action led from the top.

The private sector must live up to its responsibility to build a sustainable world.

What approach is COP29 taking to ensure sustainable practices in its supply chain?

COP29 is adopting a comprehensive sustainable procurement policy to ensure that all operations align with its environmental goals.

Key elements of this approach include the incorporation of sustainability criteria into all procurement processes. 

Vendors are required to have environmental management plans and preference is given to vendors who are using eco-friendly and locally sourced materials.

All vendors undergo sustainability training to ensure their practices align with COP29 criteria and overarching ambitions.

This engagement is a cornerstone of the conference’s commitment to promoting sustainable supply chain practices. 

Our procurement department actively supports vendors in adopting green practices, for example ensuring that products such as cleaning supplies and textiles meet environmental standards.

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