As the urgency of environmental challenges reaches an unprecedented peak, one might pause to ask: do COPs still matter? As the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) just ended in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, now is the perfect time to reflect on the significance of these global gatherings and their role in shaping our planet’s future.

2024 marks a historic convergence in environmental diplomacy, with the occurrence of three COPs in succession, each addressing one of the Rio Conventions established at the 1992 Earth Summit. These conventions focus on climate change (the United Nations Convention for Combatting Climate Change, or UNFCCC), biodiversity (the convention on Biological Diversity or CBD), and desertification (the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification or UNCCD). The succession of COPs in 2024 underscores their interdependence. Tackling one issue without addressing the others is a short-sighted approach, akin to fixing a leak while ignoring the flood.

For many years, critics have argued that COPs were detached from reality – idealistic negotiations delivering little beyond declarations. They may not be entirely wrong. The distance from local realities is sometimes undeniable, and frustration with slow progress is justified. But dismissing COPs outright is to ignore their unique value.

COPs are among the few spaces where every country, regardless of size or power, has an equal voice (and vote). They amplify diverse perspectives, driving more inclusive solutions, and they serve as bridges between science and policy. For example, findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have repeatedly informed negotiations and global strategies. Commitments made at COPs are often the necessary first step toward action, unlocking financing and laying the groundwork for tangible projects. COPs also set global targets that enable accountability, facilitate knowledge exchange, and repeatedly amplify the urgency of addressing environmental crises. While imperfect, they remain indispensable frameworks for progress at both global and national levels.

More than that, history provides compelling evidence of the tangible results COPs have produced. The Paris Agreement (COP21) gave the world a unifying goal: limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. While achieving this target is increasingly uncertain[1], it created a shared ambition that continues to guide climate action. The Loss and Damage Fund, initiated at COP27 and operationalized with $700 million in pledges at COP28[2], represents a watershed moment for climate justice. On land, COP12 of the UNCCD(2015) launched Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets setting program, with 127 countries having voluntarily set targets to restore degraded land by 2030[3]. A few weeks ago, the agreement on the “Cali Fund” marked a precedent for benefit-sharing in biodiversity conservation, while at Baku for COP29, developed nations agreed to mobilize at least $300 billion annually by 2035 for climate finance directed towards developing countries. Some outcomes may have fallen short of expectations, but they remain vital drivers of tangible progress.

UNCCD COP16 is a milestone in its own right—the largest and most inclusive meeting in the Convention’s history. Key topics include accelerating land restoration by 2030, enhancing drought resilience, reinforcing the links between land, climate, and biodiversity, and strengthening women’s land rights. In two days, an unprecedented UDS12bn were committed to the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, aimed at supporting least developed countries in enhancing drought resilience through concrete projects. Importantly, COP16 has expanded its scope beyond government representatives, actively engaging civil society and the private sector. Saudi Arabia’s innovative Green Zone, the largest in COP history, exemplifies how diverse collaborations can enhance outcomes. By fostering broader participation, COP16 may well set a precedent for the inclusivity and effectiveness of future conferences.

Beyond the headlines, COPs also serve as catalysts for broader change. They influence national policies, inspire private sector commitments, and shape public narratives around environmental responsibility. For example, the visibility of COPs has amplified youth-led movements like Fridays for Future and spurred businesses to align with global sustainability goals. These ripple effects demonstrate the enduring relevance of COPs in mobilizing collective action.

While COPs are not a panacea, they remain indispensable in our collective fight against environmental degradation. As UNCCD COP16 demonstrates, these gatherings are evolving to become more inclusive and action-oriented, paving the way for more effective global environmental governance. But for COPs to deliver on their promise, countries must approach them with ambition, set higher standards for themselves, and ensure that commitments translate into action. Governments, civil society, and the private sector all have roles to play in this broader fight.

Ultimately, the true significance of COPs lies not in the absence of perfect solutions but in the platforms they provide for building consensus, driving accountability, and inspiring action. No, you won’t see heads of state planting trees or assembling clean energy vehicles on COP sites. What you will see are dialogues, commitments, and collaborations—essential elements of environmental action that we cannot afford to overlook. That is why COPs still matter.

[1]https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2024

[2]https://www.wri.org/insights/cop28-outcomes-next-steps

[3]https://www.unccd.int/sites/default/files/inline-files/127%20countries_list_LDN%20TSP_for%20web.pdf