COP29 climate finance deal clinched, what are countries saying?
Adds Marshall Islands
BAKU, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Countries agreed to a hard-fought COP29 deal to provide $300 billion in annual climate finance by 2035.
But while some delegates reacted to the agreement early Sunday with a standing ovation, others voiced anger and lambasted wealthy nations for not doing more.
Here are some of their comments:
U.N. FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SIMON STIELL (in a statement)
"It has been a difficult journey, but we've delivered a deal. This new finance goal is an insurance policy for humanity, amid worsening climate impacts hitting every country.
"This deal will keep the clean energy boom growing and protect billions of lives. It will help all countries to share in the huge benefits of bold climate action: more jobs, stronger growth, cheaper and cleaner energy for all.
"But like any insurance policy – it only works – if the premiums are paid in full, and on time. No country got everything they wanted, and we leave Baku with a mountain of work still to do. So this is no time for victory laps."
INDIA REPRESENTATIVE CHANDNI RAINA
"We are disappointed in the outcome which clearly brings out the unwillingness of the developed country parties to fulfil their responsibilities."
"I regret to say that this document is nothing more than an optical illusion. This, in our opinion, will not address the enormity of the challenge we all face. Therefore, we oppose the adoption of this document."
U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES
"I had hoped for a more ambitious outcome – on both finance and mitigation – to meet the great challenge we face. But this agreement provides a base on which to build. It must be honoured in full and on time. Commitments must quickly become cash."
BOLIVIA REPRESENTATIVE DIEGO PACHECO BALANZA (speaking via a translator)
"We need a finance which will properly grant us the resources we need to take steps. The finance that is hugely below our requirements is an insult and it is a flagrant violation of justice and climate equity.
"Climate finance, as it stands in this agreement, is extinguishing international cooperation. We are moving on from the time of leaving of no-one behind to an era of let every man save himself."
BRITISH ENERGY MINISTER ED MILIBAND (In a statement)
“This is a critical eleventh hour deal at the eleventh hour for the climate. It is not everything we or others wanted but is a step forward for us all."
"Today’s agreement sends the signal that the clean energy transition is unstoppable. It is the biggest economic opportunity of the 21st century and through our championing of it we can help crowd in private investment."
TINA STEGE, MARSHALL ISLANDS CLIMATE ENVOY (in a statement)
“We came in good faith, with the safety of our communities and the well-being of the world at heart. Yet, we have seen the very worst of political opportunism here at this COP, playing games with the lives of the world's most vulnerable people.
"Fossil fuel interests have been determined to block progress and undermine the multilateral goals we’ve worked to build. This can never be allowed to happen.
"Despite the barriers, we’ve fought hard and secured something for our communities. We are leaving with a small portion of the funding climate-vulnerable countries urgently need.
"It isn’t nearly enough, but it’s a start, and we’ve made it clear that these funds must come with fewer obstacles so they reach those who need them most. We have also rejected those who sought to undo the agreements we made on phasing out fossil fuels."
EU CLIMATE COMMISSIONER WOPKE HOEKSTRA
"With these funds and with this structure, we are confident we will reach the $1.3 trillion objective.
On efforts to cut emissions:
"It was not a focus of this COP but we wanted more, because the world needs more of it. And even though the UAE Consensus was attacked, we did move forward, even though it was just a bit.
"We did manage to safeguard Dubai and take some steps forward. It is less than we would have liked, but it's better than we feared. So we're unhappy to lose a year, we're happy not to lose this fight."
Reporting by Simon Jessop, Gloria Dickie, Kate Abnett, Valerie Volcovici ; Editing by Katy Daigle
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