Host Azerbaijan Calls for Consensus Amid Walkout by Delegations from Developing Countries in Climate Finance Talks

Host Azerbaijan Calls for Consensus Amid Walkout by Delegations from Developing Countries in Climate Finance Talks

In a surprise move, delegations from small island states and the least developed nations walked out of negotiations on the funding package at the United Nations climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan. The walkout came just hours before the proposed $300 billion agreement was set to be finalised.

The agreement, which includes a commitment from richer nations to pay at least $300 billion annually by 2035 to help developing countries adapt to climate change, was seen as insufficient by many poorer nations. Delegates from India, Leena Nandan, referred to the proposal as an "illusion", stating that it is "abysmally poor" and "paltry".

"We've just walked out," said Cedric Schuster, the Samoan chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States. "We came here for a fair deal. We feel that we haven't been heard."

The walkout was met with frustration from climate activists, who accused the United States of not paying its fair share and having "a legacy of burning up the planet". The climate envoy, John Podesta, was heckled as he left the meeting room.

Developing countries have accused wealthy nations of trying to get their way via a war of attrition. Small island nations, particularly vulnerable to climate change's effects, accused the host country presidency of ignoring them throughout the talks.

"Wealthy nations are constrained by tight domestic budgets," said Nazanine Moshiri, senior climate and environment analyst at the International Crisis Group. "This is at odds with what developing countries are grappling with: the mounting costs of storms, floods, and droughts, which are being fuelled by climate change."

As tensions remain high, COP President Mukhtar Babayev urged all nations to "bridge the remaining divide" in a late-night session on Saturday.

The proposed $300 billion target is an increase from a previous $100 billion pledge, but was still $200 billion less than the number called for by a group of 134 developing countries. A larger target of $1.3 trillion per year was also part of the deal, but most of that would come from private sources.

The future of climate finance negotiations looks uncertain, as wealthy nations and developing countries struggle to reach an agreement.