Speakers at a side event during the UN Climate Summit COP29 highlighted the importance of engaging men and boys alongside women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals to address the climate crisis. The event, organized by Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (WOCAN), was held in Baku, Azerbaijan on Thursday. During the event, speakers emphasized the urgent need for climate solutions that are inclusive and gender-equitable, advocating for systemic changes that challenge patriarchal systems. Representing YouthNet Global, Jimran Mohammad Saiak presented the COP29 Sign-On Statement, titled “Achieving Climate Justice by Challenging Patriarchy.” Developed by the MenEngage Alliance's Global Working Group on Climate Justice, this statement advocates for a transformative approach to climate action, challenging entrenched patriarchal norms and championing feminist climate justice. The statement calls for the active involvement of men and boys as allies in supporting feminist climate goals and emphasizes the central role of women in leading sustainable climate efforts. “We cannot achieve climate justice without dismantling the structures that uphold inequality,” Saiak said on behalf of YouthNet Global. “Engaging men as allies is crucial in building a just and equitable future for all.” Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator, YouthNet Global said, “Achieving a just transition to a sustainable future requires dismantling patriarchal structures. Engaging men and boys as partners in climate justice is vital to achieving gender equality in climate solutions.” The statement was endorsed by a coalition of global organizations, including YouthNet for Climate Justice (Bangladesh), MenEngage Alliance (Global), MÄN (Sweden), RoSa vzw (Belgium), and Unako Organisation (Africa). CSOs demand a clear and meaningful framework on NCQG based on equity and justice The COP29 Sign-On Statement, which YouthNet Global supported at the event, calls for comprehensive action on several fronts: transforming patriarchal norms that contribute to gender inequality and environmental degradation; integrating gender-responsive policies into climate action; ensuring accountability in climate decision-making; equitable climate financing from Global North countries to support vulnerable regions; protection for environmental and human rights defenders; and a transition to a caring, people-centered economy that prioritizes well-being over profit. Activists and academics, such as Dr. Stephen Burrell from the University of Melbourne and Martin Hultman from Chalmers University of Technology, have also backed the statement.  

Leaders from South Asian civil society organizations (CSOs) gathered at a press conference and called for a clear framework and structure on the NCQG (Nationally Determined Contributions for Climate Finance) based on the principles of equity and justice as outlined in Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement. They urged developed countries not to leave Baku without making a concrete, measurable financial commitment and finalizing the framework at COP29. The press conference, titled "LDCs & MVC Peoples’ Expectations and COP29," was held at the COP29 climate conference center in Baku. Representatives from various CSOs, including Shailendra Yashwant Kharat from Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) in India, Dr. Abid Suleri, Executive Director of SDPI-Pakistan, Dr. Arjun Karki from Nepal, and Sharif Jamil from Bangladesh, among others, participated and shared their concerns. The event was moderated by Aminul Hoque from EquityBD, Bangladesh. Aminul Hoque criticized developed countries and their allies, particularly the COP presidency, for failing to make a clear statement on the transition away from fossil fuels. Unity among climate-affected nations more important than funding, Adviser Rizwana says at COP29 He noted that this critical condition was removed from the final draft text under pressure from major emitters. Hoque called on these countries to commit to producing new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in line with limiting global warming to 1.5°C by 2025. He also demanded a financial declaration of at least USD 1.3 trillion per year, which is the minimum required for addressing the climate crisis. Shailendra Yashwant Kharat accused developed country leaders of a “stark failure” in upholding the Paris Agreement, describing their actions as an insult to the global South and a "No Deal" outcome. He criticized the continued rhetoric that has not provided meaningful support for COP29 negotiations, pointing out the deadlock caused by unresolved issues such as “investment opportunities,” “partnerships,” and “enhanced domestic resource mobilization,” which he claimed shifted all responsibilities onto developing countries. Kharat stressed, "There are no more excuses for the global North in Baku. As we approach the final stages of COP29 negotiations, developed countries must be ambitious and deliver the required climate finance of USD 1.3 trillion, based on Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, to enable climate action in the developing world with justice." Dr. Abid Suleri noted the lack of progress on mitigation ambitions and related work programs. He also criticized efforts to impose conditions in the draft text, such as setting targets and introducing forced carbon trading mechanisms, which he argued would undermine the demands of developing countries and create a "debt trap." Sharif Jamil expressed frustration, stating, "We are very tired and impatient, and we outright reject this meaningless deal." He added, "COP29 is going to end without any significant pledges for vulnerable and displaced people, as well as for reparations, which is unacceptable." Jamil emphasized that civil society demands adequate financing, but it must come through reparations and compensation, alongside non-debt instruments, to truly support those most affected by the climate crisis. COP29: $250bn per year for all developing countries shockingly insufficient, says Adviser Rizwana Dr. Arjun Karki expressed concern that negotiations on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) were stalled due to developed countries’ reluctance to provide necessary finance and the lack of clarity on indicators to measure progress. He emphasized that adaptation is a lifeline for Most Vulnerable Countries (MVCs), and called for urgent action to close the large gap between adaptation funding and the actual needs. Karki urged developed countries to "triple, not double" adaptation funding by 2025.  

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has expressed profound disappointment with the latest text on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, published by the COP29 Presidency as the conference nears conclusion. In her statement, she referred to it as a “very disappointing package,” noting its failure to meet the critical needs of least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS). “The proposed decision to allocate USD 250 billion per year for all developing countries is shockingly insufficient,” she said, emphasizing that the amount is neither provisioned nor designated as grants. Furthermore, the text fails to allocate any dedicated funds to the most vulnerable 45 LDCs. The adviser highlighted the inadequacy of the COP29 outcomes in addressing climate finance challenges, despite this conference being explicitly focused on the issue. “The package has failed to provide the minimum required justification for an NCQG that should uplift the most vulnerable nations. It offers nothing concrete for LDCs and SIDS, leaving them exposed to escalating climate risks.” COP29: Bangladesh urges EU to support proposal for allocating $200bn to LDCs Rizwana urged LDCs to resist this package, asserting that it “will make little difference in reality” without substantive revisions. She called on all stakeholders to advocate for a more ambitious, fair, and actionable climate finance framework that prioritizes the needs of the world's most vulnerable communities.  

A new draft of a deal on cash to curb and adapt to climate change released Friday afternoon at the United Nations climate summit pledged $250 billion by 2035 from wealthy countries to poorer ones. The amount pleases the countries who will be paying, but not those on the receiving end. The amount is more than double the previous goal of $100 billion a year set 15 years ago, but it's less than a quarter of the number requested by developing nations struck hardest by extreme weather. But rich nations say the number is about the limit of what they can do, say it's realistic and a stretch for democracies back home to stomach. It struck a sour note for developing countries, which see conferences like this one as their biggest hope to pressure rich nations because they are absent at meetings of the world's biggest economies. "Our expectations were low, but this is a slap in the face,” said Mohamed Adow, from Power Shift Africa. “No developing country will fall for this. They have angered and offended the developing world.”   Nations are still far apart on reaching a deal The proposal came down from the top, the presidency of U.N. climate talks — called COP29 — in Baku, Azerbaijan. Delegations from numerous countries, analysts and advocates were kept in the dark about the draft until it dropped more than a half a day later than promised, prompting grumblings about how this conference was being run. “These texts form a balanced and streamlined package for COP29,” The Presidency said in a statement. “The COP29 Presidency urges Parties to study this text intently, to pave the way towards consensus, on the few options remaining.” This proposal, which is friendly to the viewpoint of Saudi Arabia, is not a take-it-or-leave-it option, but likely only the first of two or even three proposals, said Climate Analytics CEO Bill Hare, a veteran negotiator. “We’re in for a long night and maybe two nights before we actually reach agreement on this,” Hare said. Just like last year's initial proposal, which was soundly rejected, this plan is “empty” on what climate analysts call “mitigation” or efforts to reduce emissions from or completely get off coal, oil and natural gas, Hare said.   Anger at ‘meagre’ figure for climate cash The frustration and disappointment at the proposed $250 billion figure was palpable on Friday afternoon. “It is a disgrace that despite full awareness of the devastating climate crises afflicting developing nations and the staggering costs of climate action — amounting to trillions — developed nations have only proposed a meagre $250 billion per year," said Harjeet Singh of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. That amount, which goes through the year 2035, is basically the old $100 billion year goal with 6% annual inflation, said Vaibhav Chaturvedi a climate policy analyst with New Delhi-based Council on Energy, Environment and Water. Experts put the need at $1.3 trillion for developing countries to cover damages resulting from extreme weather, help those nations adapt to a warming planet and wean themselves from fossil fuels, with more generated by each country internally. Record storm hits California; Seattle struggles with power outages The amount in any deal reached at COP negotiations — often considered a “core” — will then be mobilized or leveraged for greater climate spending. But much of that means loans for countries drowning in debt. Singh said the proposed sum — which includes loans and lacks a commitment to grant-based finance — adds “insult to injury.” Iskander Erzini Vernoit, director of Moroccan climate think-tank Imal Initiative for Climate and Development, said “the EU and the U.S. and other developed countries cannot claim to be committed to the Paris Agreement while putting forward such amounts” of money. Countries reached the Paris Agreement in 2015, pledging to keep warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times. The world is now at 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the U.N.   Rich countries call for realism Switzerland Environment Minister Albert Rösti said it was important that the climate finance number is realistic. “I think a deal with a high number that will never be realistic, that will never be paid… will be much worse than no deal,” he said. A lack of a bigger number from European nations and the United States means that the “deal is clearly moving toward the direction of China playing a more prominent role in helping other global south countries,” said Li Shou of the Asia Society Policy Institute. Analysts said this is a start of what will likely be more money. “This can be a good down payment that will allow for good climate action in developing countries,” said Melanie Robinson, global climate program director at the World Resources Institute. “There is scope for this to go above $250 billion if contributors decides to come on board.” Rob Moore, associate director at E3G, agreed that whatever figure is agreed “will need to be the start and not the end" of climate cash promises. "If developed countries can go further they need to say so fast to make sure we get a deal at COP29,” he said.  

Bangladesh has urged the EU to support a proposal for allocating USD 200 billion to the LDCs and the most vulnerable countries, ensuring these nations can effectively respond to the challenges of the climate crisis. Bangladesh raised this point during a key bilateral meeting held on Friday between the ministers of the least developed countries (LDCs) and the European Union (EU), focusing on the final outcomes of COP29. The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration on unresolved issues to ensure a balanced and equitable outcome for all parties involved. At the meeting, the Bangladesh delegation head highlighted that "many issues remain unresolved," urging both groups to work together to secure a meaningful and inclusive deal for COP29. Unity among climate-affected nations more important than funding, Adviser Rizwana says at COP29 During the meeting, LDC ministers shared their key positions, emphasizing the urgent need for financial and technical support to address the impacts of climate change. The EU ministers acknowledged the concerns raised by the LDCs and reaffirmed their commitment to addressing climate vulnerabilities while fostering sustainable development. The discussions focused on crucial areas such as climate finance, adaptation, mitigation, and the global stocktake process. The meeting marks an essential step in ensuring that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard and acted upon in the final negotiations of COP29.  

As COP29 discussions intensify, Friday may witness setting the new target for global climate finance. Ziaul Haque, a member of Bangladesh's delegation and Director (Air Management) at the Department of Environment, told UNB, “Final discussions will take place today and tomorrow. However, we believe the conference may be extended by another day. The main goal of COP29 is to set a target for global climate finance. We hope an announcement will be made.” Bangladesh expects positive financial decision on final day of COP29 He further elaborated, “In 2015, the target was for all developed countries to collectively raise $100 billion annually by 2020. This means that from 2020 to 2025, $600 billion should have been raised. However, we have not yet received those funds. We are hopeful that a decision will be reached on this matter.” Ziaul noted that discussions are ongoing about the amount of funding developed nations will allocate after 2025. “A new global target for climate finance must be established. Intense debate is ongoing, with figures ranging from $300 billion to $1 trillion being discussed. We think it could be around $500-600 billion, but there is no consensus yet. Nonetheless, we are optimistic that an announcement will be made regarding a specific figure for the funding.” He also stressed the importance of fund quality: “We want to understand the quality of the funds that will be announced. Will most of it be loans, or will there be fewer loans? We want a significant portion to be grants. If loans are included, they should be concessional loans, not commercial ones.” Mitigation and Adaptation in Focus Prominent climate expert, Emeritus Professor Dr Ainun Nishat, highlighted two key areas of focus: mitigation and adaptation. Speaking to UNB, he said, “At the COP29 conference, we are emphasizing two key points. First, mitigation must be prioritized to prevent temperature rise from exceeding 1.5°C by 2030 and 2°C by 2050.” “Second, adaptation plans are crucial. Our country has experienced six floods, increasing cyclones, and worsening droughts. We are among the most affected as victims of such damage,” he added. On climate finance, he remarked, “A new global target for the climate finance must be set. Decisions may be made on whether wealthy nations will increase funding for developing countries, particularly for the ‘Loss and Damage Fund.’” Bangladesh’s Financial Shortfall Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, underlined Bangladesh’s financial needs. “Bangladesh requires $8.5 billion annually for adaptation, but only $3 billion is allocated from domestic sources, leaving a significant shortfall of $5.5 billion, which must be met through external grants,” she said. “To keep global warming limited to 1.5°C, the carbon emission gap must be closed within this decade. To achieve this, global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 43% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels and by 60% by 2035. By 2050, emissions must be brought down to net zero,” she added. She stressed the importance of financial and technical support for LDCs, saying, “The Mitigation Work Programme must ensure financial resources and investments to implement the conditional NDC targets of LDCs. Global dialogues should play a supportive role in overcoming barriers to climate finance and ensuring necessary financial flows. If carbon emissions continue to rise, adaptation measures will become ineffective and unaffordable.” Rizwana also mentioned that the government is reviewing energy policies to transition from fossil fuels to renewables. “Import tariffs are being reconsidered, and foreign investments in solar energy projects in Bangladesh are being encouraged. Air pollution from power plants is a significant environmental issue, making this the right time to invest in renewables,” she noted. She added, “Installing rooftop solar panels could meet up to 40% of the country’s renewable energy demand. Additionally, tea estates and unused government lands could be utilized for renewable energy projects. Bangladesh is also planning to establish a regional power transmission system, enabling easy integration of solar and wind energy along with importing hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan.” Key COP29 Discussions Several pivotal decisions are expected: Climate Finance: Wealthy nations may decide whether to increase climate funds for developing countries, including operationalizing the “Loss and Damage Fund.” Discussions revolve around exceeding the promised $100 billion. Fossil Fuel Restrictions: A timeline for reducing fossil fuel use and policies to promote renewable energy may be introduced. Some nations advocate for a complete ban, but oil-producing countries remain resistant. Greenhouse Gas Emission Targets: Plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions and reduce emissions across industries, transport, and agriculture are under consideration. Limiting Global Warming: Stricter policies may emerge to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C. Renewable Energy Opportunities: Despite Azerbaijan’s renewable energy potential, its focus on oil and gas revenue poses challenges to transitioning away from a fossil fuel-based economy. Funding Disputes: Developing countries are pressing for adequate funds from wealthy nations to combat climate impacts. However, wealthy nations argue that countries like China and other oil-rich developing nations should also contribute, intensifying global divides over climate finance. As COP29 deliberations continue, the world awaits resolutions on these critical issues, hoping for meaningful action to address the climate crisis.

Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called for grant-based allocations for adaptation, loss and damage, and other critical areas in the ongoing New Collective Quantified Goals (NCQG) negotiations at the World Climate Conference (COP29). Speaking at the plenary session on NCQG, she emphasized the pressing need for a fair, transparent, and equitable approach to climate finance that reflects the realities faced by Least Developed Countries (LDCs). She noted, Option 1 of Goal Formulation is still not reflective of the realities and circumstances in the LDCs and remains weak. A quantified share for adaptation, at least 50%, must be included to ensure equitable allocation. The adviser said the Bangladesh delegation expressed alignment with the G77, LDCs, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in advocating for a robust and inclusive NCQG framework. However, Hasan highlighted significant gaps in the proposed text, such as the absence of a clear grant element and the problematic linkage of grant finance to mobilized finance, as outlined in paragraph 23. She further rejected Option 2, which includes counting all finance, investments, and even domestic resources in developing countries, and raised concerns about certain financing channels referenced in paragraphs 32 and 33. “Such provisions undermine the principles of the Paris Agreement, including equity, justice, fairness, and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR),” she stated. Rizwana Hasan underscored the dire need for debt cancellation to alleviate the financial burden on LDCs. The LDCs cannot afford any further debt while tackling existential challenges, she affirmed. Additionally, she called for the omission of references to "non-transparent carbon markets, as they contradict the spirit of the Paris Agreement." She said as the COP29 negotiations near their conclusion, Bangladesh, along with the LDC group, remains committed to actively engaging to ensure the final NCQG framework upholds equity and justice, aligning with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. Earlier, she met with the European Parliament delegation at the World Climate Conference (COP-29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. There, she made Bangladesh's position and expectations to the EU members. She asked developed countries not to increase debt burden to vulnerable and LDC countries.  

Bangladesh, one of the nations most affected by climate change, is not receiving adequate financial support as promised under international agreements, said Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. Talking to UNB during the ongoing COP29 summit in Baku, Rizwana expressed dissatisfaction with the global financing mechanisms, saying that a significant portion of funds is being offered as loans rather than grants. "We do not want to take on more debt, this increases our financial burden." Delays in mitigation measures by developed nations are exacerbating climate risks and reducing disaster management capacities, she said, adding, "Our losses are increasing and risks growing due to these delays." Rizwana stressed the need for ensuring quick and sufficient disbursement of loss and damage funds and for some disasters like salinity intrusion both financial and technological solutions are needed. "To tackle salinity, we need research on how to sustain food and crop production in affected areas. Without adequate funding and technology, it will be challenging for Bangladesh to address such issues," she said. Highlighting Bangladesh's vulnerability, the adviser said two severe floods this year caused $1.7 billion in damages, equivalent to 1.8% of the national budget. Over the past 18 months, the country has experienced 15 climate-induced disasters, leaving 1.2 million people waterlogged, she said. “Despite contributing only 0.4% to global greenhouse gas emissions, Bangladesh faces disproportionate impacts. The country aims to reduce emissions by 22% by 2030 that requires $45 billion in domestic funds and $135 billion in international support,” she said. COP29: Bangladesh Urges Enhanced Adaptation Financing at High-Level Dialogue Rizwana said she called for stronger adaptation funds and sustainable financing at the summit. Grant-based funds and low-interest loans are crucial to avoid overburdening vulnerable nations like Bangladesh, she said, urging the developed countries to honor their commitments under the Paris Agreement. The adviser also highlighted the critical funding gap in adaptation measures, noting that Bangladesh requires $8.5 billion annually but can only mobilize $3 billion from internal sources, causing a $5.5 billion shortfall. Rizwana said at the conference she called for a "Three Zeros Vision"—zero carbon emissions, zero poverty, and zero unemployment—and sought global cooperation to achieve this goal. Former additional secretary Manjurul Hannan Khan, another member of Bangladesh’s delegation attending the conference, expressed skepticism about meaningful outcomes from COP29. "Despite promises of $100 billion annually under the Paris Agreement, only about $20 billion is currently available. Developed countries are falling short of their commitments," he told UNB. He also criticised the preference of developed nations for providing loans or private sector investments instead of direct financial aid to vulnerable countries like Bangladesh. This COP29 is termed the 'Finance COP,' but whether it will deliver remains uncertain, Hannan said. The latest round of UN climate talks, known as COP29, began in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 11. This comes after a year that saw numerous extreme heat records broken and massive climate-driven chaos, like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires in almost every part of the world. This year's conference, dubbed the "climate finance COP," aims to significantly raise financial commitments to help vulnerable nations mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.

Just as a simple lever can move heavy objects, rich nations are hoping another kind of leverage — the financial sort — can help them come up with the money that poorer nations need to cope with climate change. It involves a complex package of grants, loans and private investment, and it's becoming the major currency at annual United Nations climate talks known as COP29. But poor nations worry they’ll get the short end of the lever: not much money and plenty of debt. Half a world away in Brazil, leaders of the 20 most powerful economies issued a statement that among other things gave support to strong financial aid dealing with climate for poor nations and the use of leverage financial mechanisms. That was cheered by climate analysts and advocates. But at the same time, the G20 leaders noticeably avoided repeating the call for the world to transition away from fossil fuels, a key win at last year's climate talks. Money is the key issue in Baku, where negotiators are working on a new amount for aid to help developing nations transition to clean energy, adapt to climate change and deal with weather disasters. It’ll replace the current goal of $100 billion annually — a goal set in 2009.   Climate cash could be in the form of loans, grants or private investment Experts put the need closer to $1 trillion, while developing nations have said they'll need $1.3 trillion in climate finance. But negotiators are talking about different types of money as well as amounts. So far rich nations have not quite offered a number for the core of money they could provide. But the European Union is expected to finally do that and it will likely be in the $200 to $300 billion a year range, Linda Kalcher, executive director of the think tank Strategic Perspectives, said Tuesday. It might be even as much as four times the original $100 billion, said Luca Bergamaschi, co-founding director of the Italian ECCO think tank. But there's a big difference between $200 billion and $1.3 trillion. That can be bridged with “the power of leverage," said Avinash Persaud, climate adviser for the Inter-American Development Bank. When a country gives a multilateral development bank like his $1, it could be used with loans and private investment to get as much as $16 in spending for transitioning away from dirty energy, Persaud said. When it comes to spending to adapt to climate change, the bang for the buck, is a bit less, about $6 for every dollar, he said. But when it comes to compensating poor nations already damaged by climate change — such as Caribbean nations devastated by repeated hurricanes — leverage doesn't work because there's no investment and loans. That's where straight-out grants could help, Persaud said. Whatever the form of the finance, Ireland’s environment minister Eamon Ryan said it would be “unforgivable” for developed countries to walk away from negotiations in without making a firm commitment toward developing ones. “We have to make an agreement here,” he said. "We do have to provide the finance, particularly for the developing countries, and to give confidence that they will not be excluded, that they will be center stage.”   For developing nations, the talk of loans brings fear of debt If climate finance comes mostly in the form of loans, except for the damage compensation, it means more debt for nations that are already drowning in it, said Michai Robertson, climate finance negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States. And sometimes the leveraged or mobilized money doesn’t quite appear as promised, he said. “All of these things are just nice ways of saying more debt,” Robertson said. “Are we here to address the climate crisis, which especially small developing states, least developed countries, have basically done nothing to contribute to it? The new goal cannot be a prescription of unsustainable debt.” His organization argues that most of the $1.3 trillion it seeks should be in grants and very low-interest and long-term loans that are easier to pay back. Only about $400 billion should be in leveraged loans, Robertson said. Leverage from loans “will be a critical part of the solution,” said United Nations Environment Programme Director Inger Andersen. But so must grants and so must debt relief, she added. Bolivia's foreign policy director and chair of the Like-Minded Group negotiating bloc Diego Balanza called out developed countries in speech Tuesday, saying they have “squarely failed to provide committed support to developing countries.” “A significant share of loans has adverse implications for the macroeconomic stability of developing countries,” Balanza said. Rohey John, Gambia's environment minister, said the absence of a financial commitment from rich nations suggests “they are not interested in the development of the rest of the mankind.” “Each and every day we wake up to a crisis that will wipe out a whole community or even a whole country, to a crime that we never committed," she said.   Praise and worry about G20 statement The G20's mention of the need for strong climate finance and especially the replenishment of the International Development Association gives a boost to negotiators in Baku, ECCO's Bergamaschi said. “G20 Leaders have sent a clear message to their negotiators at COP29: do not leave Baku without a successful new finance goal,” United Nations climate secretary Simon Stiell said. “This is an essential signal, in a world plagued by debt crises and spiraling climate impacts, wrecking lives, slamming supply chains and fanning inflation in every economy.” But the G20 failed to talk about how much the funds will be for the new goal, said Shepard Zvigadza, from South Africa’s Climate Action Network. “This is a shame,” he said. Analysts and activists said they were also worried because the G20 statement did not repeat the call for a transition away from fossil fuels, a hard-fought concession at last year's climate talks. Veteran climate talks analyst Alden Meyer of the European think tank E3G said the watering down of the G20 statement on fossil fuel transition is because of pressure by Russia and Saudi Arabia. He said it is "just the latest reflection of the Saudi wrecking ball strategy" at climate meetings.

As global climate negotiators are in action at COP29, a new study sheds light on the alarming consequences of climate change on Bangladesh's coastal ecosystems, with a sharp focus on the fragile Manpura Island. Conducted by Joy Bhowmik, Haseeb Md Irfanullah, Samiya Ahmed Selim and Mohammad Budrudzaman, the research reveals the socio-economic and non-economic losses experienced by communities on the island due to slow-onset climate phenomena. The findings call for urgent, evidence-based policymaking to mitigate these damages and foster resilience among affected populations. Ecosystem Erosion and Its Toll The study, conducted between 2020 and 2023 and published under a Creative Commons licence, reveals the severe impacts of salinity intrusion and sea-level rise on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Unlike human systems, ecosystems lack the adaptive capacity to cope with such changes, resulting in devastating consequences for communities reliant on them. Economic assessments show that households on Manpura Island incur annual losses of $28 to $419 (approximately Tk 3,000 to Tk 46,000), with rice, fish, livestock, and crops among the most affected resources. These losses were further aggravated by Cyclone Yaas, which inflicted additional damage on already vulnerable livelihoods. The study, however, goes beyond monetary metrics to highlight the intangible yet profound non-economic losses (NELD) suffered by the islanders. Read: Nations unite at UN talks to witness climate change impacts These include deteriorating mental health, increased insecurity, social fragmentation, and the depletion of soil fertility, all of which are deeply intertwined with the islanders’ cultural identity and emotional well-being. Call for Adaptive Measures The researchers emphasise the importance of strengthening human capital as a cornerstone of ecosystem-based adaptation. They advocate for investment in education, skills training, and livelihood diversification to mitigate future losses and enhance resilience. One of the study’s key recommendations is the development of web-based ICT platforms for documenting losses and damages in real time. Such systems would provide policymakers with actionable data, fostering transparency and accountability in climate interventions. Manpura: A Global Microcosm Manpura Island serves as a stark representation of the challenges faced by countless vulnerable communities across the globe. Its plight underscores the necessity of incorporating non-economic losses into climate negotiations—an area often overlooked in mainstream policies. “The value of ecosystems goes beyond material goods,” the authors note, urging policymakers to adopt a holistic approach that recognises the cultural, emotional, and psychological dimensions of ecosystem services. Erosion of Land and Heritage Over the decades, Manpura has experienced significant ecological losses: Land Loss: The island’s area has reduced from 148 square kilometres in 1973 to just 114 square kilometres by 2010, with significant erosion along its northern and northwestern shores. Soil Erosion: Heavy rainfall, cyclones, storm surges, and rising sea levels have stripped away fertile topsoil, threatening agricultural productivity and livelihoods. Crop Loss: Agricultural land has decreased by 38% since 1990 due to morphological changes and human activities. Cultural Erosion: The island’s intangible losses, such as declining health, emotional distress, and a weakened sense of identity, have further alienated its inhabitants from their heritage. Bangladesh’s Role at COP29 As Bangladesh continues to champion the interests of climate-vulnerable nations, the plight of Manpura Island serves as a sobering reminder of what is at stake. The research by Bhowmik and his colleagues is a clarion call for urgent action, highlighting the need for solutions rooted in local realities. Read more: COP29: Chief Adviser Yunus on his way to Azerbaijan to discuss how to avoid increasing threats from climate change The study’s findings underscore the necessity of protecting both the tangible and intangible aspects of ecosystem services. As the world faces an intensifying climate crisis, it is imperative for governments and international bodies to prioritise the needs of communities on the frontlines. Manpura’s story is not just a warning but a call to action for a sustainable, equitable future—for Bangladesh and beyond, according to the researchers.