The UN climate talks in Baku enter a critical 24-hour window as efforts are needed to pull back from the brink of collapse by agreeing an acceptable global target of expanded financing for developing countries.

Difficulties have been compounded by claims from more climate-ambitious withdrawal countries on how to speed up carbon emissions reductions – agreed in the closing hours of last year’s Cop28 in the United Arab Emirates.

The discussion is about reaffirming the “fossil fuel transition” commitment made at last year’s Cop28 in the United Arab Emirates. Many countries want to do this to maintain their political momentum.

Hopes of a breakthrough at the blocked Cop29 in Baku have been dashed after a new outline of a possible deal without a specific figure it was condemned by rich and poor countries alike.

Confidence in the ability of Azerbaijan’s presidency to reach an agreement fell on Thursday morning, as the draft texts were criticized as inadequate and providing no “landing ground” for compromise. Climate officials often rely on late compromises, but many negotiators said bridges to bridge the gap were not in sight as talks appeared to wrap up over the weekend.

Instead of setting a global goal of at least $1 trillion in new funds for developing countries to tackle the climate crisis, the text just contained an “X” where the numbers should have been.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres returned to Baku and warned that failure could jeopardize national climate action plans, with “potentially devastating impacts as universal tipping points approach”.

He said countries needed to find a “clear” agreement on climate finance. “Amidst geopolitical divisions and uncertainties, the world needs countries to come together… I am making a direct appeal to ministers and negotiators: tone down the hard lines. Navigate a path through your differences and keep your eyes on the big picture.”

UK energy security and net zero secretary Ed Miliband, who has helped the host country in trying to better shape the text, highlighted the risk of a step backwards on mitigation – action to reduce emissions – under the draft of published text. thursday morning

“I’m afraid the text still doesn’t meet the moment and requirements of this policeman. In terms of mitigation, we see… more and more disasters around us. So, in this context, standing still is a retreat and the world will rightly judge us very harshly if that is the outcome,” he said.

He said some countries believe Cop29 needs to focus on climate finance, “but that cannot be the case when we see the evidence of the climate crisis in all our countries”.

His view was strongly supported by the Irish Minister for Climate Eamon Ryanwho told a briefing that if the lack of mitigation ambition prevails then Cop29 “will be in vain”. It would not protect all people in the world, especially developing countries, he said.

Ambition means stopping the status quo, including vested interests that want to preserve the current fossil fuel system, he said – a position backed by an ambitious coalition of countries in North and South America, the EU, Asia, Africa and “small and large islands. “.

On the transition away from fossil fuels, Mr Ryan said there was no clear mechanism to take forward what was agreed last year. “There was a comeback; an attempt to interpret what was agreed as a menu of options. This has to stop.

“The world needs hope, confidence and trust that we can stop climate change. What is present is not balanced. It does not reflect this imperative; the real demand for action.”

( Climate talks enter final hours amid $1 trillion fund and China’s roleOpens in a new window )

Asked if he was angry at the position of Arab countries, he said he did not want to point fingers, but Arab countries are also threatened by climate change, especially extreme heat. It was in their best interest to move to a clean energy system that would bring climate justice where “you’ll never fight for renewable energy.”

“The Arab group will not accept any text that targets certain sectors, including fossil fuels,” Albara Tawfiq of the Saudi delegation told a plenary meeting reviewing the progress.

China has also said it opposes the explicit mention of the fossil fuel commitment contained in the Cop29 agreement. “There should not be a single paragraph,” China’s delegate told the assembled nations.

Bolivia’s delegate, Diego Pacheco, also spoke against it. “Developed countries continue to try to impose on developing countries a prescriptive and intrusive approach” to reducing emissions, he said.

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