Time is running out for the developed and rich nations to put a decisive figure on the table for climate assistance to poorer countries bearing the brunt of the rising global climate challenges.
With just one more day left to break the deadlock at the UN talks in Azerbaijan, developed nations have failed to reveal the amount they wish to contribute towards fighting against climate change.
“We need a figure,” said Adonia Ayebare, chair of the G77+China group of developing nations. “Then the rest will follow. But we need a headline,” the Ugandan negotiator told reporters.
Developing nations, especially from the islands, are exposed to rising sea levels and drought, and despite having the least contribution to global warming, they bear the most brunt.
Additionally, the negotiators have called for $1.3 trillion annually to prepare for its impacts.
While the 1 trillion dollar amount is still being negotiated, the wealthier countries have pledged not to build new unabated coal-power plants.
Colombian Environment Minister Susana Muhamad said it was difficult to speed things up “when there’s nothing to negotiate." “The concern is that at this moment, nobody is putting a figure on the table,” Muhamad said.
Developed countries on the hook for climate finance, including the United States and EU states, said they are not going to pledge anything unless there is validation of issues that they are agreeing to.
“Otherwise […] you will have a shopping basket with a price, but you don’t know exactly what is in there,” said Hoekstra. “We don’t just want to pluck a number from the sky,” said Germany’s climate envoy Jennifer Morgan.
While the final agreement is yet to be finalised, twenty-five countries at the COP29 climate summit on Wednesday pledged not to build any new unabated coal power plants, to restrict and phase out the highly polluting fossil fuel.
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