BAKU, RAKYAT NEWS – At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, negotiators were greeted with a promising commitment from major development banks to significantly boost climate financing for poorer countries grappling with global warming.

The World Bank and other development banks have pledged to increase their climate financing to $120 billion by 2030, a 60% increase compared to the $75 billion provided in 2023. This commitment was welcomed by officials, including Ireland’s Climate Minister Eamon Ryan, who described it as a positive development in the ongoing battle against climate change.

The funding boost will be particularly crucial for nations most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events. However, while the increase is a step in the right direction, Ryan emphasized that it is still insufficient to meet the growing climate challenges. He urged other countries and private corporations to contribute to the effort. COP29’s primary objective is to secure a broad international agreement on climate financing that could eventually reach trillions of dollars, aimed at funding global climate projects.

Developing countries have been pressing for greater commitments from wealthier, industrialized nations, which have historically contributed the most to global warming. Many of these donor countries are also major producers of fossil fuels, complicating the negotiation process. Climate activist Harjeet Singh criticized the approach of wealthy nations, stating that they not only fail to meet their historical obligations for emission reductions but also continue to promote fossil fuel-driven growth, further exacerbating the global climate crisis.

A critical issue in the negotiations at COP29 is the promise made by rich nations in 2009 to provide $100 billion annually to support developing countries in transitioning to clean energy and adapting to climate impacts. This funding pledge, however, was not fulfilled until 2022 and is set to expire in 2024. With 2024 predicted to be the hottest year on record, scientists have warned that the pace of global warming and its consequences are happening faster than expected, further underscoring the need for accelerated action.

In the United States, the impact of climate change is evident through devastating wildfires in California and air quality alerts in New York due to smoke from the fires. Meanwhile, in Spain, survivors are dealing with the country’s worst floods in modern history. These events serve as stark reminders of the urgency with which nations must address climate change to prevent even more severe consequences.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama voiced his concerns about the slow pace of international efforts to combat climate change, pointing out that despite decades of discussions, progress remains insufficient. He criticized the gap between the rhetoric of world leaders and the lack of tangible action, saying that life continues as usual, and the speeches, while filled with good intentions, fail to produce meaningful change.

Rama’s comments reflect a broader frustration shared by many developing nations, which have long called for more decisive action from wealthier countries. These nations argue that the burden of addressing climate change should not fall solely on those already experiencing its devastating effects, but should be shared by the wealthier nations that have historically contributed the most to global emissions.

The call for greater climate finance is also tied to the growing recognition of the climate crisis as not just an environmental issue, but a global economic and security challenge. For many countries, especially those in the Global South, climate change threatens to undo decades of economic development, pushing vulnerable populations into even deeper poverty.

As COP29 continues, the world is watching to see whether the summit can deliver a breakthrough in climate financing. While the increased commitment from development banks is a positive step, much remains to be done to ensure that the promises made in Baku translate into real-world impacts that help countries mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to a rapidly warming planet.

The outcome of COP29 will be critical in shaping the global response to climate change in the years ahead. It remains to be seen whether nations will take the necessary steps to fulfill their climate financing promises and ensure a sustainable future for all. (Uki Ruknuddin)