A new joint collection goal is at the top of the agenda at this year's climate meeting. The money, which is to be collected by the world's rich countries, is intended to finance climate measures in poor countries.
The money should not be seen as charity, emphasized Simon Stiell at the meeting's opening on Monday, but is in everyone's interest.
If at least two-thirds of the world's population cannot afford to quickly reduce emissions, then all countries will pay a brutal price.
The meeting, which began on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan, has been preceded by several world leaders announcing that they will not attend, that the planet is record-warm, and that emissions are increasing.
Clipped Wings Delegation
The US presidential election has also marked the beginning of the meeting. During Donald Trump's previous term, the country withdrew from the Paris Agreement, but under current President Joe Biden, the US rejoined. Trump has promised to leave the Paris Agreement again. There are also fears that he will try to withdraw the US from the entire climate convention, which would have more far-reaching effects.
The election of Trump means that the US delegation, representing the country's current government, is clipped.
It is clear that the next government will try to make a U-turn, says US climate envoy John Podesta in Baku, according to AP, and continues:
Will we face new headwinds? Absolutely. But will we return to the 1950s energy system? Absolutely not, he says, according to BBC.
Worked Hard
Asked what the US delegation can actually do, Podesta says that they are working hard on a range of issues and will hold a meeting with China and the host nation on Tuesday.
We have worked hard with the COP chairman on a wide range of issues.
Simon Stiell notes, without mentioning either the US or the world's rising emissions, that these are tough times, but tries to instill courage in the assembly.
Now is the time to show that global cooperation is not down for the count, but that we do what is required, he says.
