Greta Thunberg Blasts COP29 Climate Finance Package as Complete Disaster and Death Sentence

Baku, Azerbaijan - Renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg has criticized the draft text on a new climate finance package for the developing world at COP29, calling it "a complete disaster" and a "death sentence" for millions vulnerable to the climate crisis.

The scathing comments from the Swedish climate activist came as this year's UN climate conference in Baku spilled into overtime, with negotiations dragging on overnight. The climate finance draft released on Friday contained developed countries' proposal to increase annual climate finance to USD 250 billion by 2035, a figure sharply criticized by activists and developing nations alike.

Thunberg took to social media to express her frustration, saying, "As the COP29 climate meeting is reaching its end, it should not come as a surprise that yet another COP is failing. The current draft is a complete disaster." She accused those in power of betrayal, stating that the proposal was "a death sentence to the countless people whose lives have been or will be ruined by the climate crisis."

The climate activist highlighted the lack of action from the Global North countries, which she claimed were failing to pay back their "climate debt" and had not made sufficient financial contributions to help developing nations. Thunberg stated that critical financial contributions remain absent despite escalating climate challenges.

Thunberg also expressed frustration with the COP process, accusing it of perpetuating injustice. She said, "The COP processes aren’t just failing us, they are part of a larger system built on injustice and designed to sacrifice current and future generations for the opportunity of a few to keep making unimaginable profits and continue to exploit the planet and people."

Developing nations have been demanding at least USD 1.3 trillion annually starting in 2025 from developed countries to address their escalating climate challenges. However, the proposal released by developed countries on Friday was criticized as grossly insufficient.

To raise awareness about the issue, civil society members held a silent march at the summit venue at night, asking developed countries to "pay up". Experts have highlighted the lack of grants, low-cost finance, and specific allocations for vulnerable nations.

As this year's UN climate conference comes to an end, it remains to be seen if the final agreement will address the demands of developing nations. However, Greta Thunberg's scathing criticism has undoubtedly put pressure on countries to revisit their proposals and prioritize action on climate change.