Niël Terblanché
Pohamba Shifeta, Namibia’s Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, delivered a pointed critique of developed nations’ reluctance to fulfil their climate finance obligations at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Addressing the sixth high-level ministerial dialogue on climate change on Thursday, Shifeta expressed deep disappointment over the inadequate financial support provided to developing countries grappling with the consequences of global warming.
“We came here to Baku with the understanding that COP29 is a climate finance event. However, it is quite astonishing and very disappointing to hear that those who caused global warming are refusing to provide adequate and predictable finance to developing countries to address the global climate challenges that they have caused,” he said.
Shifeta’s remarks stressed a growing frustration among developing nations regarding the unmet financial commitments from wealthier countries.
The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, includes a pledge from developed nations to mobilise US$100 billion annually by 2020 to assist developing countries in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
“This target has yet to be fully realised,’ he said
According to Shifeta, the reluctance is leading to mounting tensions at international climate forums.
“There is no need to beg but we are simply asking the developed world to honour its commitments under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. These are the only international instruments that keep us together for a common purpose of realising a greener future,” he said.
He pointed to the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing countries, which often lack the resources to effectively respond to environmental challenges.
Shifeta stressed the principle of “polluter pays,” arguing that nations historically responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions should bear a greater share of the financial burden in combating climate change.
“As developing countries, we have been consistently unequivocal and factual, that climate finance must be delivered on a polluter-pay principle, taking into account historical responsibilities to emissions,” he said.
The call for a balanced allocation of climate finance between mitigation and adaptation efforts was also a focal point of Shifeta’s address.
He advocated for a significant portion of financial resources to be provided as grants rather than concessional loans, to avoid further indebting nations already facing economic hardships.
“We maintain a narrative that there should be an allocative balance on climate finance between mitigation and adaptation. And that significant financial resources shall be grants as opposed to concessional climate finance,” he said.
Shifeta’s point of view aligns with the broader objectives of COP29, which has been dubbed the “Finance COP” due to its emphasis on establishing a new collective quantified goal for climate finance.
The conference aims to set more ambitious financial targets to support developing countries in their climate action plans, recognising that the existing US$100 billion annual commitment is insufficient to meet the escalating costs associated with climate change.
Shifeta said that the ongoing disparity has been a recurring theme at COP29, with numerous delegates calling for more transparent and equitable financial mechanisms.
“What is the use of us coming to these COPs every year just to repeat the same stories of before, without action and expect a reduction in global warming?” he asked while also expressing frustration over the lack of tangible progress in climate finance discussions.
According to the minister, pressure is mounting on developed nations to not only reaffirm their financial commitments but also to implement them in a manner that is timely, transparent, and responsive to the needs of developing countries.
He reiterated that there is a critical need for developed countries to honour their climate finance commitments.
The minister called for honest engagement and immediate action to address the financial disparities that hinder effective global climate action.
“Wisdom without action is useless. I respectfully submit that this is the time we have to act and act accordingly here in Baku to deliver on all climate finance goals,” he asserted
