The COP29 climate talks has officially opened on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan, with discussions already clouded by the re-election of Donald Trump, who has vowed to roll back the United States’ carbon-reduction commitments. This casts a long shadow over the conference, especially as new warnings suggest that 2024 is set to break global temperature records, adding urgency to the debate on climate funding.
The specter of Trump’s return looms large over the negotiations, with fears that the U.S. may withdraw from the Paris Agreement once again, potentially weakening global climate action. Vanuatu’s special envoy for climate change, Ralph Regenvanu, emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, stating, “We cannot afford to let the momentum for global action on climate change be derailed. This is a shared problem that will not resolve itself without international cooperation, and we will continue to make that case to the incoming president of one of the world’s largest polluters.”
While outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden is notably absent, as are several other world leaders who traditionally attend COP talks to add political weight to the discussions, a small number of leaders from the G20—nations responsible for nearly 80% of global emissions—are present. Afghanistan is sending a delegation for the first time since the Taliban assumed power, although they are expected to attend in an observer capacity.
Despite these absences and the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. position, diplomats are confident that the talks will focus on key issues, especially the need to boost climate funding for developing countries. Negotiators are expected to propose increasing the current target of $100 billion per year to help vulnerable nations adapt to the growing impacts of climate change and transition away from fossil fuels. Key points of contention remain, including the overall amount, the funding sources, and the criteria for accessing the funds.
