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https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/24/cop29-climate-finance-deal-criticised-travesty-justice-stage-managed>
"The climate finance deal agreed at Cop29 is a “travesty of justice” that
should not have been adopted, some countries’ negotiators have said.
The climate conference came to a dramatic close early on Sunday morning when
negotiators struck an agreement to triple the flow of climate finance to poorer
countries.
Developing nations had called on rich countries to provide them with $1.3tn
(£1.08tn) a year to help them decarbonise their economies and cope with the
effects of the climate crisis. But the final deal sets a pledge of just $300bn
annually, with $1.3tn only a target.
The number is an increase from a previous $100bn promise, but Chandni Raina, a
negotiator for India, said it was “abysmally poor” compared with what was
needed.
“This, in our opinion, will not address the enormity of the challenge we all
face,” she said on the negotiation floor moments after the deal was gavelled
through.
For Raina, who is an adviser to India’s department of economic affairs, it was
not only the goal itself that caused anger but also the process by which it was
finalised.
Hours before the conclusion of Cop29, when a deal seemed elusive, delegates
from the US, Colombia and several African nations were seen poring over
documents in a huddle. Drafts were circulated before they were shared with the
public, and throughout the conference centre rumours circulated about
last-minute backroom deals being made.
Raina said the UN’s framework convention on climate change, which convenes the
annual Cop summits, was meant to make decisions by consensus. India had been
planning to make a dissenting statement before the decision was adopted but was
not given the opportunity to do so, she said.
Rain said the $300bn pledge was “stage-managed”. “This document is little more
than an optical illusion,” she said.
In an interview with the
Guardian shortly after her statement, Raina called
the goal’s adoption “outrageous”. “This was completely a travesty of justice,”
she said.
The Cop29 presidency did not adopt another key negotiating item, known as the
UAE dialogue, Raina said. The document – a follow-on from a commitment to
“transitioning away from fossil fuels” made last year at Cop28 – was rejected
when countries said it was too weak.
Raina said the climate finance item should have been treated the same way.
“It’s unclear what the legalities here are,” she said."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
