Deep divisions over climate finance, adaptation and the transition away from fossil fuels have emerged at COP31, as developing countries press wealthy nations to turn long-standing climate commitments into measurable action.
Following the World Leaders' Summit on November 11–12, negotiations have highlighted disagreements over funding responsibilities, emissions reductions, carbon markets, climate science and the protection of vulnerable communities.
For climate-vulnerable countries such as Bangladesh, securing predictable adaptation finance remains a central priority.
Adaptation finance remains a major sticking point
Developing countries have criticised attempts to include South-South cooperation and private finance in assessments of adaptation funding, arguing that these should not replace developed countries' financial obligations.
The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and Latin American groups called for developed countries to report National Adaptation Plan (NAP)-specific finance through their biennial transparency reports.
The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) also proposed an implementation platform to help countries translate adaptation plans into practical action. However, Norway, the EU, the UK and Japan expressed concerns about duplicating existing institutional arrangements.
Another disagreement concerns the commitment to triple adaptation finance by 2035. Developing countries are seeking clarity over the baseline, with one proposal using $40 billion as the reference point, which would imply a target of $120 billion by 2035. No agreed COP31 baseline has yet been established.
Bangladesh has called for keeping the 1.5°C temperature limit within reach and directing 50% of climate finance towards adaptation, reflecting growing concerns over coastal flooding, salinity intrusion and climate-related displacement.
Funding gap remains despite new announcements
Multilateral development banks reported providing $103 billion in climate finance to low- and middle-income economies.
Other announcements included $480 million to accelerate action on methane and other non-CO2 greenhouse gases, while Germany pledged €2 million to address climate disinformation.
However, the Pacific Resilience Facility remains $300 million short of its funding target.
Developing countries also raised concerns over a reported 27% reduction in support under the Global Environment Facility's ninth replenishment. The LDCs called for stronger financial commitments, while disagreements continued over the budget and replenishment arrangements of the Green Climate Fund.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh has been invited to participate in the first phase of a Climate Investment Funds initiative alongside Haiti, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco and Sierra Leone. The initiative has identified more than $700 million in potential investment opportunities across 25 expressions of interest, with a $30 million first-phase programme.
Fossil fuel transition remains contentious
The future of fossil fuels has emerged as another major negotiating challenge.
Countries remain divided over extending the Mitigation Work Programme beyond its current mandate. Switzerland proposed a permanent mitigation committee, but Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other countries opposed the proposal.
Outside the formal negotiations, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called for an international conference on phasing down fossil fuels and offered to host it. Tuvalu and Ireland are expected to co-host the next edition of the initiative in 2027.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg also criticised Australia's climate record, questioning the pace of its response.
Rikki Dank, a Gundanji and Wakaya Traditional Owner from Australia, urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to stop approving new and extended fossil fuel projects and listen to Indigenous communities.
The United Kingdom has also faced criticism for promoting an electrification roadmap without presenting a comprehensive fossil fuel phase-out plan.
Carbon markets and just transition under scrutiny
Negotiations on Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement have exposed disagreements over the costs of international carbon market cooperation.
AOSIS and Pakistan opposed fees for using the international registry, while China and Latin American countries warned against imposing additional financial burdens on developing nations.
Just transition negotiations have focused on workers' rights, Indigenous communities and inclusive decision-making. The LDCs proposed separating political guidance from practical implementation under the Just Transition Work Programme and its proposed mechanism.
Indigenous representatives demanded stronger protection of community rights, while youth groups and farmers called for meaningful participation in climate decisions.
Gender negotiations also highlighted the need for gender- and age-disaggregated data, financial support for women's participation and safer spaces in climate policymaking.
Climate science and 1.5°C concerns
The timetable for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Seventh Assessment Report has generated further disagreement.
Several countries, including the UK, Norway, Finland and small island states, supported completing the assessment before the second Global Stocktake at COP33 in 2028.
India, Saudi Arabia and Kenya suggested that the assessment could be delivered afterwards.
The timing matters because the IPCC provides scientific evidence for assessing global progress under the Paris Agreement.
Meanwhile, Climate Action Tracker projections indicate global warming could reach 2.7°C by 2100 under current policies, falling to 2.1°C if countries fully achieve their long-term targets.
COP31 faces delivery test
With the leaders' summit concluded, ministers and negotiators face mounting pressure to translate political declarations into concrete decisions on climate finance, adaptation and emissions reductions.
For Bangladesh and other vulnerable nations, the success of COP31 will ultimately depend on whether commitments translate into accessible funding, stronger climate resilience and meaningful protection for communities already experiencing the impacts of climate change.
This story was produced as part of the COP31 Climate Change Media Partnership, a journalism fellowship organised by Internews' Earth Journalism Network, Informed Earth and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.
