A $300bn (£239.5bn) deal to help combat the impact of global warming was announced at the summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. It falls far short of the $1.3 trillion that developing countries were asking for, but is three times the $100bn a year deal from 2009 that is expiring.
UN climate chief Simon Stiell hailed it as an “insurance policy” for humanity, while UK energy secretary Ed Miliband described it as a “critical 11th-hour deal at the 11th hour for the climate”.
But Christian Aid said people who needed a life raft had been given a plank of wood instead. And the charity WaterAid said it was a “death sentence for millions” and a “mere fraction” of what was needed.
Lesley Pories, lead policy analyst for WaterAid, said: “While experts touted needs around one trillion dollars annually for the new collective quantified goal [NCQG], an agreement for $300bn was reached – a mere fraction of the finance we all know is desperately needed.”
They said that from hurricanes and flash flooding to wildfires and worsening drought, the global water crisis was a “growing tragedy” and that it was “deeply shameful that … governments could not set aside their differences for the sake of the most vulnerable”.
This story is from the November 25, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 25, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
STOLEN MOMENTS
The antics of the gentleman thief in EW Hornung's 'Raffles' bring Anthony Quinn as much joy as when he was a child.
Can Glaser give Hollywood the roasting it deserves?
The stand-up comedian's close-to-the-bone comedy makes Nikki Glaser the ideal choice to host tomorrow's Golden Globes. Move over, Ricky Gervais, writes Kevin E G Perry
'I'd just turned 18... I don't think I was remotely sexy'
Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall is newly solo with a debut electropop hit to her name. She talks to Annabel Nugent about the downside of fame and how she's never feared 'clapping back'
The disruptor: why Musk is a risk to German democracy
The tech billionaire's move to support the AfD is proof he is determined to unsettle a nation that knows all too well what far-right dictatorship can bring, writes John Kampfner
Slot turns transfer saga into surprise Liverpool benefit
Arne Slot has claimed that the saga about Trent AlexanderArnold's future is helpful to him as it prevents his Liverpool players from being overloaded with praise that could make them complacent.
United 'are starving for leaders', admits Amorim
When Ruben Amorim got to convey good news, it still came with a demand.
Still a teenager but there are few weaknesses in his game
Whether he beat or lost to Michael van Gerwen on the Alexandra Palace stage on Friday night, Luke Littler was al going to leave his second World Darts Championship as a winner.
Littler makes history after winning world title aged 17
Darts has a new world champion, and he's a 17-year-old boy from Warrington.
The hot UK industry that could be facing a wipeout
Don't tell Liam and Noel, but the biggest entertainment event of 2025 won't be their reunion, it'll be the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI.
Taxes to rise again despite growth, warn economists
A group of economists have warned that the Treasury is likely to raise taxes even further this year, despite an expectation that the country will return to growth in 2025.