Aruna Chandrasekhar
@arunacsekhar.bsky.social
Climate journalist, Carbon Brief. Interested in energy, climate, land, food, politics, rights, critters, culture. Recovering Twitter junkie. “Sekhar” as in “shaker”.📍Mumbai, India. Views, jokes = own.
And if you're still feeling the FOMO, can I just say watching on livestream really throws up some epic moments?
Here's the outgoing COP29 prez - charged with managing fraught finance negotations at Baku - watching as the Brazilians just breezed through without an agenda fight, just pure vibes.
Here's the outgoing COP29 prez - charged with managing fraught finance negotations at Baku - watching as the Brazilians just breezed through without an agenda fight, just pure vibes.
November 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
And if you're still feeling the FOMO, can I just say watching on livestream really throws up some epic moments?
Here's the outgoing COP29 prez - charged with managing fraught finance negotations at Baku - watching as the Brazilians just breezed through without an agenda fight, just pure vibes.
Here's the outgoing COP29 prez - charged with managing fraught finance negotations at Baku - watching as the Brazilians just breezed through without an agenda fight, just pure vibes.
If you're still figuring out what the #TFFF means for climate and nature finance in an era of backtracking, aid cuts and Baku amnesia, I wrote about in last week's Cropped. www.carbonbrief.org/cropped-5-no...
(in-depth explainer w/ @yaninequiroz.bsky.social www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-could-...)
(in-depth explainer w/ @yaninequiroz.bsky.social www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-could-...)
November 11, 2025 at 2:28 PM
If you're still figuring out what the #TFFF means for climate and nature finance in an era of backtracking, aid cuts and Baku amnesia, I wrote about in last week's Cropped. www.carbonbrief.org/cropped-5-no...
(in-depth explainer w/ @yaninequiroz.bsky.social www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-could-...)
(in-depth explainer w/ @yaninequiroz.bsky.social www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-could-...)
Hola folks. I'm not in Belém for #COP30, but as ever, I'm keeping receipts. If you're following remotely like me and aren't sure where the fights are:
- Who Wants What www.carbonbrief.org/interactive-...
- Text tracker with the latest docs to track changes www.carbonbrief.org/interactive-...
- Who Wants What www.carbonbrief.org/interactive-...
- Text tracker with the latest docs to track changes www.carbonbrief.org/interactive-...
November 11, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Hola folks. I'm not in Belém for #COP30, but as ever, I'm keeping receipts. If you're following remotely like me and aren't sure where the fights are:
- Who Wants What www.carbonbrief.org/interactive-...
- Text tracker with the latest docs to track changes www.carbonbrief.org/interactive-...
- Who Wants What www.carbonbrief.org/interactive-...
- Text tracker with the latest docs to track changes www.carbonbrief.org/interactive-...
Today’s South Asia climate news roundup @carbonbrief.org was a real scorcher.
April 16, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Today’s South Asia climate news roundup @carbonbrief.org was a real scorcher.
The decision puts down a plan to mobilise resources from “all sources”, while aiming to reform the inaccessible architecture of biodiversity finance.
It features another key ask from developed countries: a discussion on “broadening the contributor base”.
But developing nations already contribute.
It features another key ask from developed countries: a discussion on “broadening the contributor base”.
But developing nations already contribute.
February 28, 2025 at 1:32 AM
The decision puts down a plan to mobilise resources from “all sources”, while aiming to reform the inaccessible architecture of biodiversity finance.
It features another key ask from developed countries: a discussion on “broadening the contributor base”.
But developing nations already contribute.
It features another key ask from developed countries: a discussion on “broadening the contributor base”.
But developing nations already contribute.
AND IT IS ADOPTED. #COP16 www.cbd.int/doc/c/1680/7...
February 27, 2025 at 9:46 PM
AND IT IS ADOPTED. #COP16 www.cbd.int/doc/c/1680/7...
Para 21 also has the one, unresolved bracket.
Whatever the fund, it has to be:
"accessible by all eligible country Parties [in a fair, timely, simplified, equitable, inclusive, and non-discriminatory manner]."
That could rule out a few existing options (www.aljazeera.com/opinions/202...).
Whatever the fund, it has to be:
"accessible by all eligible country Parties [in a fair, timely, simplified, equitable, inclusive, and non-discriminatory manner]."
That could rule out a few existing options (www.aljazeera.com/opinions/202...).
February 27, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Para 21 also has the one, unresolved bracket.
Whatever the fund, it has to be:
"accessible by all eligible country Parties [in a fair, timely, simplified, equitable, inclusive, and non-discriminatory manner]."
That could rule out a few existing options (www.aljazeera.com/opinions/202...).
Whatever the fund, it has to be:
"accessible by all eligible country Parties [in a fair, timely, simplified, equitable, inclusive, and non-discriminatory manner]."
That could rule out a few existing options (www.aljazeera.com/opinions/202...).
This sentence is key to the compromise: "the operation of the financial mechanism...can be entrusted to one or more entities, new, reformed or existing."
So basically: a permanent placeholder for biodiversity funding *after 2030*, whether that's a new fund or old.
So basically: a permanent placeholder for biodiversity funding *after 2030*, whether that's a new fund or old.
February 27, 2025 at 7:26 PM
This sentence is key to the compromise: "the operation of the financial mechanism...can be entrusted to one or more entities, new, reformed or existing."
So basically: a permanent placeholder for biodiversity funding *after 2030*, whether that's a new fund or old.
So basically: a permanent placeholder for biodiversity funding *after 2030*, whether that's a new fund or old.
It's saying "permanent arrangement" while citing interim financial arrangements. www.cbd.int/convention/a...
February 27, 2025 at 7:05 PM
It's saying "permanent arrangement" while citing interim financial arrangements. www.cbd.int/convention/a...
The language in para 19 – most closely tied to the possibility of a new global biodiversity fund - looks a lot like the wording from a "compromise" proposal submitted by Brazil on behalf of BRICS countries this morning. www.cbd.int/doc/interven...
Well, almost.
Well, almost.
February 27, 2025 at 6:57 PM
The language in para 19 – most closely tied to the possibility of a new global biodiversity fund - looks a lot like the wording from a "compromise" proposal submitted by Brazil on behalf of BRICS countries this morning. www.cbd.int/doc/interven...
Well, almost.
Well, almost.
We're in what should be the final hours of COP16.
And there's new informal text out on 🌱 finance, key to its success.
With inputs from bloc reps, it seems way more coherent than the last draft.
L: 26 Feb draft. www.cbd.int/doc/c/b198/d...
R: Tonight's non-paper. www.cbd.int/doc/c/214f/6...
And there's new informal text out on 🌱 finance, key to its success.
With inputs from bloc reps, it seems way more coherent than the last draft.
L: 26 Feb draft. www.cbd.int/doc/c/b198/d...
R: Tonight's non-paper. www.cbd.int/doc/c/214f/6...
February 27, 2025 at 6:51 PM
We're in what should be the final hours of COP16.
And there's new informal text out on 🌱 finance, key to its success.
With inputs from bloc reps, it seems way more coherent than the last draft.
L: 26 Feb draft. www.cbd.int/doc/c/b198/d...
R: Tonight's non-paper. www.cbd.int/doc/c/214f/6...
And there's new informal text out on 🌱 finance, key to its success.
With inputs from bloc reps, it seems way more coherent than the last draft.
L: 26 Feb draft. www.cbd.int/doc/c/b198/d...
R: Tonight's non-paper. www.cbd.int/doc/c/214f/6...
The Cali fund is officially real! It's a historic moment to get businesses – big pharma, ag, cosmetics, neutraceuticals, AI – to pay nature for using genetic data.
Which companies will be the first to speak up and pay up?
Which companies will be the first to speak up and pay up?
February 25, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The Cali fund is officially real! It's a historic moment to get businesses – big pharma, ag, cosmetics, neutraceuticals, AI – to pay nature for using genetic data.
Which companies will be the first to speak up and pay up?
Which companies will be the first to speak up and pay up?
"Why do we have such polarization around [finance]? It has to do with the changing landscape of power & geopolitics, with [pressure] that conflicts are putting on countries, and at the same time, the need to substantially address biodiversity loss climate change."
#COP16 President Susana Muhamad
#COP16 President Susana Muhamad
February 24, 2025 at 2:38 PM
"Why do we have such polarization around [finance]? It has to do with the changing landscape of power & geopolitics, with [pressure] that conflicts are putting on countries, and at the same time, the need to substantially address biodiversity loss climate change."
#COP16 President Susana Muhamad
#COP16 President Susana Muhamad
Hard to imagine companies paying nature for using its genetic data?
Kerry Ann Cleaver and I try to illustrate just what that could look like, in a new infographic for @carbonbrief.org.
The historic UN Cali Fund agreed last year officially opens next week. www.carbonbrief.org/infographic-...
Kerry Ann Cleaver and I try to illustrate just what that could look like, in a new infographic for @carbonbrief.org.
The historic UN Cali Fund agreed last year officially opens next week. www.carbonbrief.org/infographic-...
February 20, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Hard to imagine companies paying nature for using its genetic data?
Kerry Ann Cleaver and I try to illustrate just what that could look like, in a new infographic for @carbonbrief.org.
The historic UN Cali Fund agreed last year officially opens next week. www.carbonbrief.org/infographic-...
Kerry Ann Cleaver and I try to illustrate just what that could look like, in a new infographic for @carbonbrief.org.
The historic UN Cali Fund agreed last year officially opens next week. www.carbonbrief.org/infographic-...
It highlights the key divide that will dominate the 3-day talks: developed countries don't see a need for a new nature fund governed by countries themselves, developing countries say the requirement to set this up is "already clear".
www.cbd.int/doc/c/b0ca/7...
www.cbd.int/doc/c/b0ca/7...
February 17, 2025 at 10:47 AM
It highlights the key divide that will dominate the 3-day talks: developed countries don't see a need for a new nature fund governed by countries themselves, developing countries say the requirement to set this up is "already clear".
www.cbd.int/doc/c/b0ca/7...
www.cbd.int/doc/c/b0ca/7...
🆕 The fight for a new nature fund brought #COP16 talks to a halt in Colombia last year.
A week before talks resume in Rome, a "reflection note" from Susana Muhamad – whose COP16 presidency has been under a cloud after her resignation – suggests a way out. www.cbd.int/doc/c/b0ca/7...
A week before talks resume in Rome, a "reflection note" from Susana Muhamad – whose COP16 presidency has been under a cloud after her resignation – suggests a way out. www.cbd.int/doc/c/b0ca/7...
February 17, 2025 at 10:39 AM
🆕 The fight for a new nature fund brought #COP16 talks to a halt in Colombia last year.
A week before talks resume in Rome, a "reflection note" from Susana Muhamad – whose COP16 presidency has been under a cloud after her resignation – suggests a way out. www.cbd.int/doc/c/b0ca/7...
A week before talks resume in Rome, a "reflection note" from Susana Muhamad – whose COP16 presidency has been under a cloud after her resignation – suggests a way out. www.cbd.int/doc/c/b0ca/7...
The "unilateral" measures wording BASIC countries led by China were keen on (unfccc.int/documents/64...) is now just "cross-border impacts".
But the decision "recalls" that language vs. "unilateral" "restrictions on trade" is right there in the UN climate convention: t.co/iwDw7d1jn3
But the decision "recalls" that language vs. "unilateral" "restrictions on trade" is right there in the UN climate convention: t.co/iwDw7d1jn3
November 24, 2024 at 11:05 AM
The "unilateral" measures wording BASIC countries led by China were keen on (unfccc.int/documents/64...) is now just "cross-border impacts".
But the decision "recalls" that language vs. "unilateral" "restrictions on trade" is right there in the UN climate convention: t.co/iwDw7d1jn3
But the decision "recalls" that language vs. "unilateral" "restrictions on trade" is right there in the UN climate convention: t.co/iwDw7d1jn3
#COP29 Green trade wars didn't make the main agenda.
But possibly for the first time, there's space in climate COPs to talk about the "cross border impacts" of trade-related climate measures, such as 🇪🇺 EU CBAM/🇺🇸 IRA.
From the new 2026-30 response measures work plan: unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
But possibly for the first time, there's space in climate COPs to talk about the "cross border impacts" of trade-related climate measures, such as 🇪🇺 EU CBAM/🇺🇸 IRA.
From the new 2026-30 response measures work plan: unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
November 24, 2024 at 10:54 AM
#COP29 Green trade wars didn't make the main agenda.
But possibly for the first time, there's space in climate COPs to talk about the "cross border impacts" of trade-related climate measures, such as 🇪🇺 EU CBAM/🇺🇸 IRA.
From the new 2026-30 response measures work plan: unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
But possibly for the first time, there's space in climate COPs to talk about the "cross border impacts" of trade-related climate measures, such as 🇪🇺 EU CBAM/🇺🇸 IRA.
From the new 2026-30 response measures work plan: unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
INDIA: "We informed the #COP29 presidency we wanted to make a statement prior to any decision on the adoption [of the #NCQG finance goal]."
"This has been stage-managed, and we are extremely disappointed."
"This document is nothing more than an optical illusion. India opposes [its] adoption."
"This has been stage-managed, and we are extremely disappointed."
"This document is nothing more than an optical illusion. India opposes [its] adoption."
November 23, 2024 at 11:05 PM
#COP29 #NCQG New finance text, key new features:
- Baku to Belem roadmap to $1.3 trillion.
- "at least $300bn".
- "aiming at increasing" grant finance and "consider measures for increasing" bilateral climate finance to LDCs and SIDs.
- "review of this decision in 2030".
unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
- Baku to Belem roadmap to $1.3 trillion.
- "at least $300bn".
- "aiming at increasing" grant finance and "consider measures for increasing" bilateral climate finance to LDCs and SIDs.
- "review of this decision in 2030".
unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
November 23, 2024 at 10:07 PM
#COP29 #NCQG New finance text, key new features:
- Baku to Belem roadmap to $1.3 trillion.
- "at least $300bn".
- "aiming at increasing" grant finance and "consider measures for increasing" bilateral climate finance to LDCs and SIDs.
- "review of this decision in 2030".
unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
- Baku to Belem roadmap to $1.3 trillion.
- "at least $300bn".
- "aiming at increasing" grant finance and "consider measures for increasing" bilateral climate finance to LDCs and SIDs.
- "review of this decision in 2030".
unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
Adaptation fund decision adopted. Receipts here in millions, not billions. unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
November 23, 2024 at 5:02 PM
Adaptation fund decision adopted. Receipts here in millions, not billions. unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
Checked out of COP29 tonight with a super heavy heart and planet-sized FOMO for the truly weird hours. You bet I’ll be following all the twists and turns of text until the bitter end.
Salaams to the still-in-Baku crew and hang in there, dostlog.
Salaams to the still-in-Baku crew and hang in there, dostlog.
November 22, 2024 at 10:19 PM
Checked out of COP29 tonight with a super heavy heart and planet-sized FOMO for the truly weird hours. You bet I’ll be following all the twists and turns of text until the bitter end.
Salaams to the still-in-Baku crew and hang in there, dostlog.
Salaams to the still-in-Baku crew and hang in there, dostlog.
Dubai was supposed to be where adaptation finance had its moment, but it was dwarfed by the headlining act, the global stocktake and within that, mitigation. 👇🏽 EU last year.
The COP29 headliner was supposed to be finance, including for adaptation. Why are we surprised at anger at the focus shift?
The COP29 headliner was supposed to be finance, including for adaptation. Why are we surprised at anger at the focus shift?
November 22, 2024 at 9:39 AM
Dubai was supposed to be where adaptation finance had its moment, but it was dwarfed by the headlining act, the global stocktake and within that, mitigation. 👇🏽 EU last year.
The COP29 headliner was supposed to be finance, including for adaptation. Why are we surprised at anger at the focus shift?
The COP29 headliner was supposed to be finance, including for adaptation. Why are we surprised at anger at the focus shift?
Went looking for a man in climate finance, a quantum, 6’5”, brown eyes.
November 21, 2024 at 9:56 AM
Went looking for a man in climate finance, a quantum, 6’5”, brown eyes.