Developing countries need at least $1 trillion per year by the end of the decade to cope with climate change, economists told U.N. talks in Baku, where early efforts to reach a finance deal risk being overshadowed by diplomatic disputes.

The US election victory of Donald Trump - a known climate sceptic - could also prove to be a distraction, and some important leaders are not attending. COP29 is the world's most important meeting on climate change. It is led by the UN, and the 2024 event, the 29th such gathering, runs from 11-22 November.

COP29, this year's biggest environmental conference, is now underway. Here is how leaders from around the world are coming together to advance global climate efforts.

Money is a central focus of the climate talks being held in Azerbaijan and the success of the summit is likely to be judged on that goal.

STORY: If poorer states are to move to greener energy and protect against extreme weather, at least $1 trillion per year will be needed by the end of the decade.That's the warning to negotiators at COP29 on Thursday (November 14) as money becomes a central focus of the climate talks being held in Azerbaijan.

BAKU: Giving much needed talking points around nature and quality of new post-2025 climate finance here at UN climate conference (COP29), an Independent High-Level Expert Group on the issue on Thursday suggested that the negotiations should be focused on mobilising $1 trillion per year by 2030 in "external (public and private) finance from all

Early efforts to reach a finance deal at the UN climate summit are at risk of being overshadowed by diplomatic rows