The closing of the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku is postponed, there are still too many divergences on the agreement
by Pierluigi Sassi
The climate negotiations have entered into an extension. The draft agreement presented yesterday by the Cop29 presidency proposed a very unambitious “comprehensive” solution, which disappointed both poor countries and civil society. The decidedly vague formulation with which the financial objectives of the agreement were described – which, let us remember, is called to support sustainable development in the southern hemisphere – leaves room for interpretations that are objectively difficult to justify.
And so, while United Nations experts quantify the financing necessary to meet the vital objectives of COP21 in Paris at 6.5 trillion dollars a year between now and 2035, in Baku the latest draft agreement is limited to “calling “All actors to work together to enable the increase of funding from developing country Parties for climate action, from all public and private sources, to at least $1.3 trillion per year by 2035.”
So, if you read carefully: the financial objective is just 20% of what is needed; 2035 becomes the deadline to achieve it, rather than the end date of the program; and taxpayers are not obligated to finance but only “invited to work to enable…”. It must be understood that, if this part of the agreement were ever approved, the result of the negotiations in Baku would be to negate the agreements signed in France for the next ten years and, therefore, condemn us all to a progressive and dramatic worsening situation. of living conditions on the planet.
On the point relating to the contribution of rich countries to the 100 billion climate fund created in Paris – which according to experts should immediately reach 1 billion a year until 2030, and then rise to 1.3 billion – the Presidency proposes to reach to 250 billion dollars per year until 2035, using a wide variety of sources, public and private, bilateral and multilateral, etc. Translated, this means that rich countries may have to contribute even less than they have done so far, simply by waiting until 2035 and involving individuals and banks in their investments that certainly would not take the form of non-refundable contributions, but rather the of economic colonialism justified by the climate crisis.
As if all this were not enough, the draft agreement invites developing countries to make additional contributions, including through South-South cooperation. In other words, to countries that suffer hunger and poverty due to the climate, by giving too little, the rich polluters should also propose to go get money from other poor countries.
The more the hours pass, the more this agreement shakes things up. And the hypothesis that the Presidency is actually tightening the confrontation to then make its last-minute proposal more acceptable is gaining more and more credibility.
Maybe this match will end in penalties. But whatever happens it won’t have been a great show.
What are the potential long-term implications of failing to reach a consensus at the Baku Climate Talks, and how might this impact global efforts to mitigate climate change?
## World Today News Interview: Baku Climate Talks Extended
Welcome to World Today News. We’re discussing the postponement of the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku due to stalled negotiations on the final agreement. Joining us today are two esteemed guests:
* **Dr. Anya Sharma:** Climate policy expert and lead researcher at the Institute for International Climate Action.
* **Mr. Omar Khalil:** Representative of the Global South Climate Coalition, advocating for the interests of developing nations.
**Section 1: Dissatisfaction with the Draft Agreement**
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Sharma, Pierluigi Sassi, the author of the World Today News article, describes the proposed agreement as “very unambitious.” Can you elaborate on the specific areas where the draft falls short of expectations?
* **Interviewer:** Mr. Khalil, the article highlights concerns from civil society and developing countries regarding the financial provisions in the draft. What are the primary concerns from the Global South perspective, and what would constitute a more equitable solution?
**Section 2: Funding Gaps and Obligations**
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Sharma, the article mentions a stark discrepancy between the estimated funding needed to meet the Paris Agreement goals and the amounts proposed in the draft agreement. How significant is this gap, and what are the potential consequences of failing to bridge it?
* **Interviewer:** Mr. Khalil, the draft proposes involving private and public sources, as well as “South-South cooperation,” for climate finance. Do you view this approach as a viable solution, or does it risk placing undue burden on already struggling economies?
**Section 3: Rich vs. Poor Countries - A Fairer Deal?**
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Sharma, the article suggests a potential shift in responsibility for financing climate action, with wealthier nations potentially contributing less than previously anticipated. What are the ethical implications of this shift, and how could it impact the global effort to combat climate change?
* **Interviewer:** Mr. Khalil, the draft agreement invites contributions from developing countries. How do you perceive this request, particularly given the ongoing economic challenges faced by many nations in the Global South?
**Section 4: Prospects for a Successful Outcome**
* **Interviewer,** Dr. Sharma, the article alludes to a potential “last-minute proposal” from the Cop29 presidency. Do you believe a compromise is still attainable, or are we headed towards a breakdown in negotiations?
* **Interviewer:** Mr. Khalil, what are your hopes and concerns as the negotiations enter this critical phase? What would constitute a successful outcome from the perspective of the Global South Climate Coalition?
**Closing:**
* **Interviewer:** Thank you both for sharing your insights. Clearly, the negotiations in Baku carry immense weight for the future of our planet. We will continue to follow developments closely and provide updates on this crucial global issue.
