Climate activists attend COP29 for action, but find it overshadowed by bickering.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan aimed to secure funding for climate mitigation efforts, with a draft deal proposing $250 billion annually from wealthy countries to poorer ones. However, this falls short of the $1 trillion needed by developing nations to transition to green energy and adapt to climate change. The absence of top leaders from major economies, including President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, reflects deeper divides on climate financing. Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and experts have called for a new approach to address the urgency of climate change. The Trump administration’s stance on climate action and participation in the conference have raised concerns, despite reassurances that the U.S. will continue to focus on containment. Frustration among smaller nations disproportionately affected by climate change was evident, with some boycotting the conference in protest. Disputes over responsibility for climate funding have led to tensions between highly affected low-emission countries and major polluters. The urgency of climate action was highlighted by projections of record-breaking temperatures and consequences for vulnerable regions like Pacific Island nations and Afghanistan. The ongoing negotiations underscore the challenges of achieving consensus on climate finance amidst geopolitical tensions and domestic political priorities.

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