Let’s use early milestones to stay focused on climate action
To make sure we meet a 2030 goal to triple outflows from UN climate funds agreed at COP29, work needs to start now
Finance
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Without debt relief, climate action will fail
Many Global South countries spend five times more on repaying debt than tackling climate change – governments meeting in Seville next month can stop this downward spiral
Trump shifts US funds from shutting down foreign fossil fuels to expanding them
The US administration has pulled clean energy and just transition funding in South Africa and is pressuring EXIM and the World Bank to back fossil fuels
Climate shocks and volatile currencies hike debt burden for poor countries
Least-developed countries and island nations are struggling with crippling debt levels made worse by global currency fluctuations and climate disasters hitting their economies
Climate non-profits anticipate fight with Trump over tax status
US-based climate change campaign groups fear that President Donald Trump will try to use the US tax authority to damage them financially
As Trump upends aid and markets, who will pay for green development in Global South?
Ahead of key donor meetings, experts say a combination of debt relief, private investment and innovative sources of finance could help fill the gap
Loss and damage fund to hand out $250 million in initial phase
The fund’s board has agreed a plan for the start-up phase of the UN mechanism to help developing nations tackle the consequences of climate disasters
New global fund for forests is a bold experiment in conservation finance
If successfully implemented, the sovereign-backed investment fund – championed by Brazil – could generate far more money for tropical forests than traditional donor models
Loss and damage fund proposes helping governments first, local communities later
Campaigners have welcomed the proposed priorities for the loss and damage fund but say grants for communities should not be deferred
Finance for renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa is defying the odds
Most countries in the region finally have operating wind or solar projects, despite huge political and economic challenges – perseverance is needed
African banks back oil export pipeline despite climate commitments
Lenders including Afreximbank are backing Uganda’s EACOP project, while publicly talking up their support for a just energy transition.
How to reinforce the multilateral climate system in 2025: Step up, one by one
Each country needs to honour their respective commitments to provide climate finance and develop an ambitious national climate plan
It’s time for shipping to launch first global tax on a polluting sector
Decarbonising the seas is a strategic imperative for a sustainable trade system that can also generate climate finance for vulnerable countries
“Forgotten” fragile states unite to end climate-finance blind spot
Conflict-affected countries are urging Brazil to put funding to help them build resilience to climate change front and centre at COP30, as needs grow
Trump’s aid cuts make Malawians more vulnerable to climate change
The US government has ended support for a scheme that taught villagers how to produce honey, mangoes and cleaner cookstoves
Zimbabwe plans to expand coal use to address drought-induced blackouts
The Southern African nation faces severe power shortages but lacks the funding to shift to cleaner energy sources, campaigners say
UK aid budget cuts threaten climate finance pledge to vulnerable nations, experts warn
The UK is the latest wealthy nation to announce cuts to its overseas aid budget after agreeing to step up climate finance to developing countries at COP29
After US retreat, countries clash over who should make up Green Climate Fund shortfall
At this week’s board meeting, Germany and Sweden encouraged wealthier developing nations to step up – an idea rejected by Saudi Arabia
The world’s biggest climate finance coalition is in crisis. Is it worth saving?
After big North American banks exited the net zero alliance, remaining members weigh up future options amid lacklustre real-world impact
After US cuts cash, Green Climate Fund head urges others to step up
Mafalda Duarte stresses the strategic and economic importance of keeping money flowing to developing countries after Trump cancelled $4bn pledge to the fund
“No future”: Climate projects face existential threat after Trump’s aid shutdown
The Trump administration’s attack on USAID puts at risk close to $500 million a year in grant-based climate funding for developing countries
Indonesia’s next priority should be finding alternatives to replace coal
Indonesia’s new plan to phase out coal by 2040 needs clear and manageable targets, along with more renewables to meet rising power demand
Trump orders US to quit Paris Agreement and pause all foreign climate finance
Around $11 billion a year of funding for climate projects in developing countries is under threat from Trump’s review
Wall Street’s faltering on climate action opens up opportunity for European banks
With major US banks out of net zero alliance, European members should push to raise its ambition and turn words into action