US President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photo: Reuters

Numerous world leaders converged in Azerbaijan on Tuesday for COP29, but several prominent figures are absent from the UN climate talks, where the implications of Donald Trump's election victory are keenly observed. Over 75 leaders are anticipated in Baku over two days, yet the summits of some of the most influential and polluting economies are not participating in this year's gathering. Only a few leaders from the G20, which is responsible for nearly 80 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, are expected in Baku, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The British leader is set to announce an 'ambitious' update to the UK's climate objectives later today, emphasizing his country's role in addressing the climate challenge. Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Narendra Modi, and Emmanuel Macron are among the G20 leaders missing the event, where the uncertainty surrounding future US unity on climate action looms large on the opening day.

'It's not an ideal situation,' acknowledged Steven Guilbeault, Canada's environment minister. 'But in 30 years of COP, it's not the first time we've faced obstacles,' he told AFP. 'Certainly, everything is still possible.'

John Podesta, Washington's top climate envoy, is working to reassure countries in Baku that Trump's re-election will not halt US efforts on global warming, even if the issue may be 'on the back burner.' Despite calls for global cooperation, the opening day got off to a rocky start, with disputes over the official agenda delaying the start of formal proceedings near the Caspian Sea.

'This will be a tough COP,' said Fernanda Carvalho, global climate and energy policy lead at WWF. 'Countries are divided. There is a lack of trust,' she told AFP, and divisions over climate finance 'will be reflected in every room of those negotiations.'

The primary focus at COP29 is securing a hard-fought agreement to enhance funding for climate action in developing countries. These nations, from low-lying islands to war-torn states, are least responsible for climate change but most at risk from rising seas, extreme weather, and economic shocks. Some are advocating for the existing pledge of $100 billion annually to be increased tenfold at COP29 to cover the future costs of transitioning to clean energy and adapting to climate shocks.

Babayev, a former oil executive, informed negotiators that trillions might be needed, but a figure in the hundreds of billions was more 'realistic.' This has angered developing countries and NGOs, who argue that rich countries and historical emitters owe a 'climate debt.' Nations have been haggling over this for years, with disagreements over how much should be paid and by whom, making meaningful progress nearly impossible ahead of COP29.

Developing countries warn that without adequate financing, they will struggle to provide ambitious updates to their climate goals, which are required to be submitted by early next year. The small group of developed countries currently contributing the funds wants the donor pool expanded to include other wealthy nations and top emitters, including China and the Gulf states, a proposal firmly rejected by Beijing.

UN climate chief Simon Stiell has attempted to convince rich countries that climate finance is not charity but a downpayment on a safer, wealthier planet. 'The climate crisis is fast becoming an economy killer,' he warned. 'Climate action is global inflation insurance,' he added. He also sought to reassure the talks that recent 'political events' would not derail global climate diplomacy. 'Our process is strong. It's robust, and it will endure.'

Approximately 50,000 people are attending the summit in Azerbaijan, a petrostate situated between Russia and Iran, including leaders from many African, Asian, and Latin American countries plagued by climate disasters.

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