UN Climate Talks in Baku Stall Over Climate Finance Disputes

The United Nations climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, have reached an impasse as developing nations rejected a proposed draft on climate finance, labeling it as inadequate and unacceptable to their needs.

The contentious draft pledges $300 billion annually in climate finance, significantly short of the $1.3 trillion demanded by developing countries. These funds are seen as critical to address climate adaptation, pay for losses and damages, and support the transition to clean energy in vulnerable nations.

Tensions have flared during the negotiations, with developing nations accusing wealthier countries of employing a “war of attrition” strategy to impose their terms. Frustrations boiled over, prompting some negotiators to stage walkouts in protest of the perceived imbalance in the discussions.

While some delegates remain optimistic about achieving a breakthrough, others caution that rushing into a subpar agreement could undermine global climate efforts. “A bad deal is worse than no deal,” warned one negotiator.

With time running out, the stakes remain high as the talks continue, and all eyes are on whether consensus can be reached to address the urgent climate crisis.