Environment Minister Keiichiro Asao addresses a COP29 ministerial-level meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan. (©Kyodo)
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In Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, the amount pledged tripled in one go, jumping to $300 billion USD. This is the amount of climate change funding developed countries must provide to help developing countries counter climate change. So the parties decided at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). However, its serious deficiency lies in the COP's categorization of global economic superpower China as a "developing country."
Developed countries are required to commit a combined $300 billion per year to the countermeasures fund until 2035. Renewal of the fund had already been scheduled for the 2024 meeting. Meanwhile, there was a growing sense of victimization in developing countries due to the frequent occurrence of weather disasters. This led to a chorus of calls for more adequate funding.
Nonetheless, the current funding framework contains significant contradictions. Although China has grown into an economic superpower and is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs), it is classified as a "developing country" under the UN climate change convention. The same holds for India, which is the third largest emitter.
A Toothless Nod to China and India
Both emitters should be added to the donor coalition. Regrettably, however, the COP29 outcome document contained only a weak and toothless statement. It merely says: "Encourages developing country Parties to make contributions, including through South–South cooperation, on a voluntary basis."
Furthermore, January 2025 will see the launching of the second Donald Trump administration in the United States. Trump is opposed to paying for international decarbonization initiatives. There is acute concern that he will once again withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement. Without question, the future course pursued by the US will have a major impact on the functioning of the COP.
If the US withdraws, China can be expected to dominate developing countries through its climate change measures. We hope that Mr Trump will duly consider this point.
COP's Dimming Future
The COP aims to curb rising temperatures as well as natural disasters through appropriate reductions in GHG emissions. However, it is well on the road to becoming impotent.
To start with, the background to the global warming issue lies in the North-South conundrum caused by the economic disparity between developed and developing countries. It would be unfortunate if funding increases without any visible effect on the control of atmospheric temperature.
To break the deadlock, there is an urgent need to revive scientific research focusing on the relationship between rising temperatures and natural variability.
Likewise, it is essential to reform the COP system. It must aensure the full inclusion of growing economic powerhouses, such as China and India, as responsible parties. They cannot be allowed to hide behind developing world status.
Every nation must submit its GHG reduction targets for 2035 to the UN by February 2025. Japan, under the administration of Shigeru Ishiba, is urged to calmly adopt appropriate measures.
On that point, restarting nuclear power plants is also key to Japan achieving its climate targets.
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Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
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