Innovative financing proposals are being discussed at the COP29 summit in Baku. These proposals include levies on business class flights, increased costs for stock and bond trades, and a $5-per-ton tax on fossil fuel emissions.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley is advocating for these measures, emphasizing the need for new funding sources to combat climate change. Mottley argues that developing nations and small island states cannot rely solely on wealthier countries for support. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also supports increased taxation on fossil fuels, highlighting the recent floods in Spain as evidence of the climate crisis.
Brazil, as the current G-20 president, has proposed a wealth tax on billionaires to ensure that those who have benefited the most from economic growth contribute to the fight against climate change.
Countries like Barbados, France, and Kenya are advocating for policies that hold polluters accountable and encourage the financial sector to allocate more resources to climate initiatives. The European Union is seeking innovative solutions to overcome fiscal constraints and has identified aviation as a sector that should take more responsibility for its emissions.
The discussions at COP29 aim to establish a new framework for developed nations to provide climate finance to emerging economies. The proposals being put forth at this summit have the potential to reshape the landscape of climate finance and ensure accountability for those contributing to the problem while providing support to vulnerable nations.