Adaptation finance gaps, just transition clash dominate COP30 in Belém

Heated debates marked the third day of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, as delegates clashed over climate finance, adaptation needs and the contentious Just Transition agenda.

While some progress was reported on Wednesday and Thursday, deep divides between developed and developing nations continued to overshadow the negotiations.

In the heated debate Bangladesh reiterated its leadership role in pushing for equity and justice in global climate diplomacy. The country's delegation, led by Fisheries and Livestock Affairs Adviser Farida Akhter, highlighted Bangladesh's continued commitment to fair climate action.

"Bangladesh stands ready to lead in advancing equitable and inclusive climate action," she said, underscoring Dhaka's long-standing position on loss and damage, adaptation, and climate finance.

Mirza Shawkat Ali, Director of International Convention at the Department of Environment and one of Bangladesh's negotiators, said: "However, there are statement and confrontation in debates from different groups. We are focusing on tripling adaptation finance, and we are also prioritising the operationalisation of the fund for responding to loss and damage."

Md Shamsuddoha is the Chief Executive at Chief Executive, Center for Participatory Research and Development-CPRD, a Civil Society Organistions leader and expert on climate change negotiations and has worked on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience said The need for adaption finance has never met. The COP 29 last year mesarably failed to take a decision for mobilizing $1.3T annually what the developing countries will be requiring from 2025. Though the COP 29 decided to mobilize $300 billion by 2035, this might also left unmet if a clear roadmap on delivering the promised finance and a transparent reporting mechanism are not agreed at COP 30.

Finance stalemate widens tensions

Climate finance once again proved the most contentious issue. The African Group and the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs) demanded clear, measurable commitments from developed nations, stressing that existing pledges remain unmet and insufficient.

The Latin American coalition AILAC invoked the International Court of Justice's recent advisory opinion, emphasising that "climate cooperation is no longer a matter of goodwill but a legal obligation." Delegates from the region urged wealthy nations to deliver predictable and accountable financing, particularly for the most vulnerable countries.

Adaptation fund strained and under-resourced

The Adaptation Fund, widely recognised for its support of gender equality, frontline communities and locally led adaptation, remains critically underfunded. The African Group and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) pressed for direct access to funds for vulnerable nations and mutual recognition between accredited national and regional institutions.

African and Arab states voiced mounting frustration over the persistent adaptation finance gap. Meanwhile, the EU and Switzerland stood firm in demanding stronger transparency arrangements and financial safeguards before scaling up their contributions.

"You cannot call it adaptation support when people on the ground receive nothing," said youth delegate Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNetGlobal.
"Adaptation finance is not charity, it is a matter of survival for millions. The Belém Action Mechanism must deliver real, accessible and predictable funding for local communities."

Just transition talks turn into North-South confrontation

The mid-session (SB) Contact Group discussions on the Just Transition Work Programme took a sharply confrontational turn, revealing some of the deepest divides of COP30 so far. What began as an effort to develop a common approach to fair, inclusive and equitable transitions quickly escalated into a political standoff between two contrasting realities: decarbonisation for wealthy nations versus development needs for poorer ones.

Developed countries  including the EU, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand insisted that the fossil fuel phaseout is the only viable path to a sustainable future. They stressed the need to scale up renewable energy, expand clean cooking and accelerate socioeconomic benefits linked to a fossil-free world.

Developing nations pushed back hard. Delegates from Africa, the LMDC and the Arab region argued that fossil fuels still underpin jobs, industry, energy access and poverty reduction. They called for a gradual, balanced transition that protects livelihoods and national development priorities.

Youth groups and civil society led by the YOUNGO constituency and Latin American networks reminded delegates that climate action has now become a legal duty, following the ICJ's opinion. They also demanded an end to fossil fuel subsidies and alignment of national climate plans with the 1.5°C threshold.

Developing countries, however said these expectations must be matched by fair financing and by adherence to the Paris Agreement's equity principles.

"Just Transition is not only about energy; it's about justice social, economic and intergenerational," Sohanur of the youth delegates of Bangladesh added. "It must put people, not profit, at the centre of climate solutions."

Bangladesh position in COP30 in terms of finance 

Bangladesh emphasises that adaptation remains a critical pillar of climate action for vulnerable nations. Yet adaptation finance continues to represent only one-third of global climate finance. This must increase to at least 50 percent to address escalating climate impacts.

Mirza Shawkat Ali, Director of International Convention at the Department of Environment and one of Bangladesh's negotiators said that implementing the Bangladesh National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2023–2050 will require approximately $230 billion, an amount impossible to mobilise without scaled-up, predictable international support. As Bangladesh graduates from LDC status, it must retain easy and equitable access to key financial mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund (AF). 

"We call for explicit recognition of the vulnerabilities of climate-exposed countries beyond income classification. Bangladesh reiterates its commitment to prioritising adaptation in agriculture, water resources, coastal protection, urban infrastructure, and climate-health resilience.

He also said, "We urge that the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) be ambitious, predictable, needs-based, and easily accessible. The global climate finance architecture must be restructured to strengthen transparency, enhance direct access and provide concessional and grant-based support.

"We stress that the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) must play a central and effective role in guiding and implementing the NCQG. The Loss and Damage Fund must become operational without delay, ensuring direct access for vulnerable nations, particularly LDCs and SIDS, with simplified procedures and predictable funding streams." 

Bangladesh calls for the immediate operationalisation of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD). This fund must be new, adequate, grant-based, and responsive to the urgent needs of frontline nations.

"We note with concern that there is no dedicated allocation for Loss and Damage within the NCQG negotiations. A specific, protected provision must be established to ensure long-term support. Financing through the FRLD must be direct, easily accessible, and fast-tracked, prioritising highly vulnerable countries facing recurrent climate-induced disasters,' Shawkat narrating Bangladesh position. 

He also said that negotiations under the Mitigation Work Programme continued to struggle. Small island states and the EU pushed to firmly anchor the 1.5°C goal at the core of global mitigation efforts. India, alongside several Arab nations, cautioned that new mitigation burdens imposed on developing countries without corresponding finance would be unacceptable.

Gender action plan faces pushback

Discussions on the revised Gender Action Plan (GAP) also stalled. In an informal SBI session, the co-facilitators, Carol Franco of the Dominican Republic and Jared Huntley of Australia, presented a draft text, but many parties complained that they had insufficient time to review it.

Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iran opposed several elements, calling them politically sensitive, while the EU asked for clearer information about the financial implications. The UNFCCC Secretariat said an official cost estimate would only be provided after key decisions are finalised.

The Women and Gender Constituency urged negotiators to prioritise the real vulnerabilities faced by women, girls and gender-diverse people over political disagreements. YOUNGO called for stronger intersectionality, representation and diversity in climate policymaking.

Slow progress ahead as tensions persist

COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago said parties continued to show a "spirit of cooperation," but acknowledged that major gaps remain unresolved. The next stocktaking session is scheduled for Saturday and many delegates say significant progress will be needed before the negotiations can advance.

Protests rattle the blue zone

Late Tuesday night, climate activists broke through security barriers and entered the Blue Zone, demanding stronger commitments on forest protection. Their chants echoed across the venue as security teams moved in to control the situation.

"The failure to set adaptation finance goals last year is costing us now," Sohanur said. "But it's not too late to act."