In November, ten undergraduate students represented Ohio State at the 29th annual Conference of the Parties (COP29), the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. Every year, government delegates, public officials, corporate and non-profit leaders, and cultural, environmental, and educational organizations from around the world engage in crucial climate negotiations on finance, mitigation, and adaptation.

Nick Breyfogle and Bart Elmore, Professors in the Department of History, pioneered this study abroad program at Ohio State, taking their first cohort of students to COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2023. They have worked endlessly to fundraise from various departments at Ohio State to make this unique experience more affordable for undergraduate students.

“Nick and I had been teaching about climate change for many years and noticed the students' frustration with the lack of progress that had been made through negotiations and public policy,” said Elmore. “We decided at some point that we wanted to take our students to the place where the discussions were happening so they could have an impact on the conversation.”

Noting Mixed Achievement Outcomes

This year, over 70,000 conference attendees gathered in Baku for what was deemed the “climate finance COP.” Developing nations, often referred to as the Global South, worked towards an agreement to receive $1.3 trillion per year from developed nations, the Global North, for climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. After two weeks of negotiations, developing nations fell short of their goal and were only able to agree on $300 billion per year from the developed nations.

Many have considered this last-minute agreement a “Baku Breakthrough,” but leaders and advocates from around the world are disappointed at the lack of funds. The COP29 Presidency, who hosted the conference, have been widely criticized for Azerbaijan’s dependence on the oil and gas industry—which some speculate played a role in the poor financial outcome.

Disagreement among countries on whether to include private finance, the responsibility of developed and developing nations, how to distribute finance among developing countries kept negotiations at a stalemate for nearly two weeks. Delegates also failed to agree on moving forward on certain COP28 outcomes, including the Global Stocktake and the pledge to phase out fossil fuels.

COP29 did reach some notable achievements. After nearly a decade, delegates agreed on how to operate international carbon markets under the Paris Agreement. Some activists argue that carbon markets excuse divestment from fossil fuels, but others view it as a huge economic opportunity. Nations also contributed more to the Loss and Damage Fund, which reached a total of $759 million.

Witnessing Global Environmental History

In addition to sitting in on climate negotiations between delegates, Ohio State students attended heated press conferences, networked during panelist events about climate technologies and strategies, and connected with cultures from all around the world. Each day of the conference was dedicated to a focus area within climate action, including health, urbanization, agriculture, energy, and women, gender, and youth empowerment. Organizations and countries held informational and panelist events about the challenges and opportunities within these topics, allowing Ohio State students to further explore their interests and passions.

“With its focus on thematic days, COP29 highlighted the critical role of sustainability in healthcare systems as both a mitigation and adaptation strategy in the fight against climate change,” said Carissa Garcia, an International Relations and Medical Anthropology student. “There is an urgent need for managing medical waste, reducing healthcare’s carbon footprint, and developing climate-resilient healthcare infrastructure, especially in vulnerable regions. Collaborative frameworks, like the Health and Climate Alliance, can drive this much needed innovation and ensure equitable access to sustainable healthcare globally.”

Engaging Communities Across Cultures

Ohio State students were able to connect with indigenous, youth, political, and women and gender activists from around the world. Youth activists from the Youth Nongovernmental Organization (YOUNGO), a notable group of youth activists under 35 who advocate for climate justice and organize the Conference of Youth (COY) for activists around the world, had a strong presence at COP29. Students were also able to engage with the People’s Plenary, featuring a panel of activists who advocated for climate justice, fossil fuel divestment, and a stop to war and conflict.

“From protests advocating for workers’ rights or fossil fuel divestment, COP29 uplifted progressive change and activism around climate and humans,” said Cherod Bowens, a Political Science student. “I attended the People’s Plenary, which provided a space for international rights activists from Sudan, Lebanon, Palestine, and various Indigenous tribes from the Global South to describe the challenges they face in their communities and how to combat the systems that exacerbate the climate crisis.”

Leadership Interactions & Networking

US representation, including Senior Advisor to the Biden Administration John Podesta, the Biden Secretary of Energy and Secretary of Agriculture, and representatives from the Senate and House, attended COP29. Ohio State students organized a Q&A and networking session with the US delegation, including the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, that was open to all American university students.

“Former US Vice President Al Gore had one of the most passionate and moving speeches I have heard from a US politician,” said Christine Andreeva, an Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability student. “He emphasized the severity of climate crises around the world, amplifying the cries of vulnerable regions. It is crucial that former leaders use their power and influence to advocate for action.”

“From attending informational sessions at the country pavilions to meeting climate advocates and delegates from around the world, the networking opportunities at COP29 were amazing,” said Lexi Capka, an Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability major. “One of my favorite events was a youth networking session with American foreign service officers and diplomats, which exposed me to careers in diplomacy.”

COP30: Brazil

In autumn 2025, Breyfogle and Elmore plan to take their third cohort of students to COP30, which will take place in Belém, Brazil—the heart of the Amazon. 

Learn more about the COP global education program.