Negotiators at Cop30 are facing a daunting task: getting rich countries to follow through on their promises to help poorer nations adapt to the devastating impacts of climate change. Behind closed doors, representatives of vulnerable countries reveal the frustration and desperation that comes with trying to get developed countries to take action.
"We need to keep the 1.5C goal," says one negotiator, "it's a lifeline for the planet. We agreed it in Paris 10 years ago. If we don't stick to it, we face devastating impacts all over the world." But some rich countries are resisting this effort, arguing against measures and commitments that would enable the 1.5C goal.
The problem is twofold: developed countries claim they can't afford to provide more finance for adaptation, while poorer nations need it desperately to survive. "We know that the needs for adaptation are huge and growing – about $210bn to $360bn a year is estimated," says another negotiator. But private sector companies won't invest in these projects because they don't make a profit.
Developed countries claim they're committed to providing climate finance, but rich historic polluters are resisting increased provision of public finance for poorer nations. "Some of the most senior global south negotiators are saying, without a space to discuss provision, why even come to Cop?" one delegate asks. It's clear that the talks are about more than just finance – they're about power and control.
The Paris agreement relies on developed countries providing climate finance for poorer nations, but this funding is not being used effectively. Rich polluters claim the issue was addressed last year in Baku under the new $300bn goal pledged by rich countries, but this promise remains unfulfilled.
One delegate sums up the frustration: "Sometimes I feel that this process has lost its humanity. Sometimes it's like we are arguing with robots." The talks need to go beyond just finance and get back to basics – solidarity and ambition from developed countries is what poorer nations need to survive in a changing world.
"We need to keep the 1.5C goal," says one negotiator, "it's a lifeline for the planet. We agreed it in Paris 10 years ago. If we don't stick to it, we face devastating impacts all over the world." But some rich countries are resisting this effort, arguing against measures and commitments that would enable the 1.5C goal.
The problem is twofold: developed countries claim they can't afford to provide more finance for adaptation, while poorer nations need it desperately to survive. "We know that the needs for adaptation are huge and growing – about $210bn to $360bn a year is estimated," says another negotiator. But private sector companies won't invest in these projects because they don't make a profit.
Developed countries claim they're committed to providing climate finance, but rich historic polluters are resisting increased provision of public finance for poorer nations. "Some of the most senior global south negotiators are saying, without a space to discuss provision, why even come to Cop?" one delegate asks. It's clear that the talks are about more than just finance – they're about power and control.
The Paris agreement relies on developed countries providing climate finance for poorer nations, but this funding is not being used effectively. Rich polluters claim the issue was addressed last year in Baku under the new $300bn goal pledged by rich countries, but this promise remains unfulfilled.
One delegate sums up the frustration: "Sometimes I feel that this process has lost its humanity. Sometimes it's like we are arguing with robots." The talks need to go beyond just finance and get back to basics – solidarity and ambition from developed countries is what poorer nations need to survive in a changing world.