Activists demonstrate in Baku. Image: trapezoid
After ten days of grueling negotiations, conflicting interests remain fierce at the United Nations climate conference in Azerbaijan, but nearly 200 countries should reach a consensus by Friday.
In Baku, developing countries are demanding that industrialized countries be more ambitious in tackling the climate crisis and pay trillions of dollars in aid. The EU, on the other hand, is applying the brakes and stressing that it will only provide specific amounts after other key issues are clarified. “Otherwise, you have a price tag on your shopping cart but you don't know what's actually inside,” said Wopke Hoekstra, the EU climate commissioner.
The two-week summit, attended by tens of thousands of participants from nearly 200 countries, was set to end on Friday, but postponements have been common in recent years. At issue is how much financial aid to developing and emerging countries will increase. According to the United Nations Group of Independent Experts, annual foreign aid needs will be approximately US$1 trillion by 2030 and even reach US$1.3 trillion by 2035. This would be 10 to 13 times the current amount of climate aid.
Environmentalists have suggested financing this through higher taxes on flights, oil production or the assets of the super-rich. Even the G20 countries have adopted the latter: according to a statement from Rio de Janeiro, they will work together to effectively tax the very wealthy without interfering with countries’ tax sovereignty.
China – still a developing country?
The EU is fundamentally ready to mobilize more funds. However, the German government insists that countries such as China and wealthy Gulf states that make a lot of money from oil, gas and coal also contribute. However, under the 30-year-old UN classification, they, along with India, are still considered developing countries and therefore aid recipients.
Now some developing countries are taking action on the issue: for example, Nigeria’s Environment Minister Balarabe Abbas Lawal told the Guardian: “China and India cannot be put in the same category as Nigeria and other African countries. “Instead, you should donate the money yourself. Colombian Environment Minister Susana Mohamed also told the newspaper that the old categories were “outdated” and should be changed. Such comments could increase pressure on China.
EU worries about recession
The EU is concerned that ambitious ideas from the last climate conference in Dubai on curbing greenhouse gas emissions and moving away from oil, gas and coal could be lost in the Baku talks. European Commissioner Hoekstra said the only way is up. “That's obviously something we'll be focusing on over the next few days.”
Azerbaijani oil state invited to act as mediator
The focus now is on host Azerbaijan – which generates 90% of its export revenue from oil and gas. The president said it now relies on a “spirit of cooperation and a willingness to compromise” to reach an outcome by Friday. Various draft resolutions will be released for the first time on Thursday morning, a day before the program ends. (Sudanese Development Authority/Department of Political Affairs)
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