A new financial agreement reached at Cop29 to aid developing nations in fighting global warming has sparked criticism and disappointment from activists. The 300 billion dollar (£239.5 billion) deal, announced at the conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, has been described as “a death sentence for millions” and “woefully inadequate” by campaigners. Jasper Inventor, the head of the Cop29 Greenpeace delegation, expressed disappointment in the agreed finance goal, stating that the level of despair and required action far outweighed the package. He emphasised the need for stronger commitments to combat climate change and called for a united effort against fossil fuel industries and nature destroyers.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband hailed the financial package as a “critical 11th-hour deal at the 11th hour for the climate” as the conference came to a close. US President Joe Biden acknowledged that more work needed to be done but praised the ambitious international climate finance goal set during the conference. However, organisations like WaterAid criticised the deal, calling it insufficient and warning that it could have dire consequences for millions of people on the front lines of the climate crisis. Lesley Pories from WaterAid highlighted the urgent need for increased financial commitments to address the global water crisis and stressed the importance of prioritising investments in water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Extinction Rebellion spokespersons decried Cop29 as a failure, emphasising the urgent need to end the era of reliance on oil and gas. They called for swift and equitable transitions to cleaner energy sources to prevent further harm to the planet and its inhabitants. Additionally, Mike Childs from Friends of the Earth commended the UK delegation for their contributions but stressed that global climate leadership was still lacking. He criticised the lack of decisive action on climate finance and highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing countries, urging rich nations to take responsibility for their historical contributions to the crisis.
The inability of Cop29 to meet expectations and set ambitious targets for climate finance has left many dissatisfied and concerned about the future. With calls for stronger commitments, more equitable distribution of resources, and a shift away from fossil fuel reliance, the global community continues to grapple with the urgent need to address climate change. As preparations begin for Cop30 in Belem, there is a renewed sense of determination among activists and environmentalists to push for greater climate ambition and ensure a sustainable future for all. Despite the challenges and setbacks, the fight against climate change remains a top priority for advocates around the world.