Martino Malerba
Senior Lecturer at RMIT University and an expert on greenhouse gases and wetland ecosystems
COP29 has focused on one of the most pressing challenges of our time: climate finance. Specifically, how to mobilise the funds needed for climate adaptation and disaster recovery, and, crucially, who should bear the cost. While the differences in perspectives among parties can feel disheartening, it’s important to recognise the value of dialogue. In an increasingly polarised world, constructive discussions often falter, replaced by gridlock and confrontation. COP provides a platform to break through these barriers, fostering conversations that might not otherwise occur. Progress may be slow, but the act of maintaining dialogue is itself a step forward. It’s a reminder that collaboration remains possible, even in the face of daunting global challenges.