Clash at COP29: Unilateral Trade Measures Take Center Stage

The UN climate conference in Baku opened with a dispute over the agenda between developing and developed countries. Key issues include climate finance goals and the controversial EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Delegates are pushing for resolutions, with developed nations emphasizing emission mitigation and developing nations prioritizing climate finance.

The UN climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, kicked off with a heated clash between developing and developed nations over the agenda for the next 12 days. This year's conference is particularly crucial as countries aim to establish a new climate finance goal to aid developing nations in adapting to climate change.

The host, Azerbaijan, called for urgent resolution on the issue, with UN climate chief Simon Stiell stressing that reaching consensus is in every nation's interest. However, proceedings were halted as delegates negotiated whether to include 'unilateral trade measures,' such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), in the COP29 agenda.

Developed countries like the US and EU are pushing for discussions on all stocktake outcomes, whereas nations like India and China prioritize climate finance. Meena Raman from the Third World Network criticized the focus shift, highlighting the pressing need for funding to support developing countries in battling climate effects.

(With inputs from agencies.)