Media reports revealed Sunday (Nov. 24) that a Saudi delegate has been accused of making unauthorised changes to the official COP29 negotiating text. Usually, non-editable PDF copies are circulated among member nations for further discussions and the consensus-building process. However, concerns have been raised as it was revealed that an editable document may have been shared with the delegate of Saudi Arabia, regarded by many as a persistent obstructor of action at UN climate summits.

Azerbaijan presidency on Saturday circulated the text on the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) among all countries.

The Guardian reported that at least two cases of changes were unearthed when compared to the originally circulated text. The changes were apparently made by Basel Alsubaity, linked to the Saudi Ministry of Energy and the lead on the JTWP.

In one case, the following section of text was found deleted by the Saudi team: “encourages parties to consider just transition pathways in developing and implementing NDCs, NAPs, and LT-LEDSs that are aligned with the outcome of the first global stock take and relevant provisions of the Paris agreement.”

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The NDC here stands for nationally determined contributions, NAPs for national adaptation plans, and LT-LEDs for long-term low-emission development strategies.

Experts criticised the Azerbaijan presidency for giving Saudi delegate the access to edit the document.

“Giving one party editing access to these documents, and a party known for its objective of rolling back the historic global agreement made last year to transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy and energy efficiency, suggests a worrying lack of independence and objectivity, and clearly contravenes both the spirit and the rules of this process,” said Catherine Abreu, the director of the International Climate Politics Hub and a Cop veteran to the Guardian.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjy0Nj9jvWJAxU9hlYBHYXWFFgQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop29-draft-g20-communique-fails-to-mention-transition-away-from-fossil-fuels-777417" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/cop29-draft-g20-communique-fails-to-mention-transition-away-from-fossil-fuels-777417&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjy0Nj9jvWJAxU9hlYBHYXWFFgQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE">COP29: Draft G20 communique fails to mention transition away from fossil fuels</a>

She added that this behaviour from the presidency was almost like defeating the purpose of the summit altogether. “This kind of behaviour from a presidency risks placing this entire Cop in jeopardy,” she added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Media reports revealed Sunday (Nov. 24) that a Saudi delegate has been accused of making unauthorised changes to the official COP29 negotiating text. Usually, non-editable PDF copies are circulated among member nations for further discussions and the consensus-building process.

Media reports revealed Sunday (Nov. 24) that a Saudi delegate has been accused of making unauthorised changes to the official COP29 negotiating text. Usually, non-editable PDF copies are circulated among member nations for further discussions and the consensus-building process. However, concerns have been raised as it was revealed that an editable document may have been shared with the delegate of Saudi Arabia, regarded by many as a persistent obstructor of action at UN climate summits. Azerbaijan presidency on Saturday circulated the text on the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) among all countries. The Guardian reported that at least two cases of changes were unearthed when compared to the originally circulated text. The changes were apparently made by Basel Alsubaity, linked to the Saudi Ministry of Energy and the lead on the JTWP. In one case, the following section of text was found deleted by the Saudi team: “encourages parties to consider just transition pathways in developing and implementing NDCs, NAPs, and LT-LEDSs that are aligned with the outcome of the first global stock take and relevant provisions of the Paris agreement.” Also read: COP29 delegates still appear far from reaching consensus The NDC here stands for nationally determined contributions, NAPs for national adaptation plans, and LT-LEDs for long-term low-emission development strategies. Experts criticised the Azerbaijan presidency for giving Saudi delegate the access to edit the document. “Giving one party editing access to these documents, and a party known for its objective of rolling back the historic global agreement made last year to transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy and energy efficiency, suggests a worrying lack of independence and objectivity, and clearly contravenes both the spirit and the rules of this process,” said Catherine Abreu, the director of the International Climate Politics Hub and a Cop veteran to the Guardian. Also read: COP29: Draft G20 communique fails to mention transition away from fossil fuels She added that this behaviour from the presidency was almost like defeating the purpose of the summit altogether. “This kind of behaviour from a presidency risks placing this entire Cop in jeopardy,” she added. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi delegate accused of making 'unauthorised changes' to key COP29 document: Report

The upcoming United Nations COP28 climate summit has yet again come under fire after a report by the British newspaper,&nbsp;The Guardian, on Wednesday (June 7), revealed that an Emirati state oil firm was able to read email exchanges between organisers and was also “consulted” on how to respond to the media inquires. The climate summit host country, United Arab Emirates (UAE), had already garnered criticism from multiple environmental organisations as well as lawmakers over their pick to lead the negotiations in Dubai.&nbsp;

<h2>What did the British media report find?</h2>

The UAE, which is hosting COP28 in November, recently chose Sultan al-Jaber, head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), to lead the upcoming UN climate summit. The decision has since sparked multiple calls for him to step down citing a conflict of interest.&nbsp;

The report comes after the COP28 previously claimed that its email system was a “standalone” and “separate” from that of the state oil company. However, The Guardian’s “expert technical analysis” showed that the COP28’s office shared email servers with Adnoc.&nbsp;

The British media report also claimed that it was not until their inquiries that the COP28’s office switched to a different server&nbsp;last week. The investigation first began in mid-May when the UK-based newspaper found links between UAE’s COP28 office and Adnoc after their inquiries into&nbsp;UN climate chief Christiana Figueres’ criticism who called the Emirati oil chief’s approach “dangerous".

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The email response that The Guardian received contained the text, “Adnoc classification: internal.” When the COP28 office was asked about it, they said it “sought input from several subject matter experts regarding emissions, including Adnoc".&nbsp;The report added, “internal classification mark had become part of the email chain as a result.”

In response to a different inquiry, the COP28 office also assured that their content, including emails, was “on a standalone, firewall-protected network, supported by a separate COP28 IT team,” as quoted by The Guardian.&nbsp;

It was not until the previously mentioned “expert technical analysis” that they found that the oil company’s servers were used for both sending and receiving emails from the COP28 office.&nbsp;

The French Member of the European Parliament, Manon Aubry, has called the findings presented by The Guardian “an absolute scandal".

"An oil and gas company has found its way to the core of the organisation in charge of coordinating the phasing out of oil and gas," Aubry said.

She added, “It is like having a tobacco multinational overseeing the internal work of the World Health Organization,” as quoted by The Guardian.&nbsp;

<h2>Al-Jaber’s reported stance on the environment</h2>

As per AFP, while Al-Jaber favours the rapid development of renewable energy, he has also supposedly focused more on the use of controversial technologies to capture carbon dioxide as opposed to reducing emissions by limiting fossil fuels. However in a supposed change of stance, Al-Jaber urged countries to focus on “phasing out fossil fuel emissions,” reported Reuters.&nbsp;

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After a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday (June 7) both the EU and UAE have also pledged to support renewables in the upcoming climate summit. A&nbsp;joint statement by the EU and COP28 host said that both sides would “ensure maximum support on global 2030 targets for the tripling of renewable energy and doubling of energy efficiency.”&nbsp;

It added, “These targets would support the transition towards energy systems free of unabated fossil fuels.” This also comes a month after over 100 members of the US Congress and European Parliament called for Al-Jaber’s removal as it would threaten the integrity of negotiations.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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The upcoming United Nations COP28 climate summit has yet again come under fire after a report by the British newspaper, The Guardian, on Wednesday (June 7), revealed that an Emirati state oil firm was able to read email exchanges between organisers and was also “consulted” on how to respond to the media inquires.

The upcoming United Nations COP28 climate summit has yet again come under fire after a report by the British newspaper, The Guardian, on Wednesday (June 7), revealed that an Emirati state oil firm was able to read email exchanges between organisers and was also “consulted” on how to respond to the media inquires. The climate summit host country, United Arab Emirates (UAE), had already garnered criticism from multiple environmental organisations as well as lawmakers over their pick to lead the negotiations in Dubai. What did the British media report find? The UAE, which is hosting COP28 in November, recently chose Sultan al-Jaber, head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), to lead the upcoming UN climate summit. The decision has since sparked multiple calls for him to step down citing a conflict of interest. The report comes after the COP28 previously claimed that its email system was a “standalone” and “separate” from that of the state oil company. However, The Guardian’s “expert technical analysis” showed that the COP28’s office shared email servers with Adnoc. The British media report also claimed that it was not until their inquiries that the COP28’s office switched to a different server last week. The investigation first began in mid-May when the UK-based newspaper found links between UAE’s COP28 office and Adnoc after their inquiries into UN climate chief Christiana Figueres’ criticism who called the Emirati oil chief’s approach “dangerous". ALSO READ | Explained | World Environment Day: 5 international agreements that would affect the planet in years to come The email response that The Guardian received contained the text, “Adnoc classification: internal.” When the COP28 office was asked about it, they said it “sought input from several subject matter experts regarding emissions, including Adnoc". The report added, “internal classification mark had become part of the email chain as a result.” In response to a different inquiry, the COP28 office also assured that their content, including emails, was “on a standalone, firewall-protected network, supported by a separate COP28 IT team,” as quoted by The Guardian. It was not until the previously mentioned “expert technical analysis” that they found that the oil company’s servers were used for both sending and receiving emails from the COP28 office. The French Member of the European Parliament, Manon Aubry, has called the findings presented by The Guardian “an absolute scandal". "An oil and gas company has found its way to the core of the organisation in charge of coordinating the phasing out of oil and gas," Aubry said. She added, “It is like having a tobacco multinational overseeing the internal work of the World Health Organization,” as quoted by The Guardian. Al-Jaber’s reported stance on the environment As per AFP, while Al-Jaber favours the rapid development of renewable energy, he has also supposedly focused more on the use of controversial technologies to capture carbon dioxide as opposed to reducing emissions by limiting fossil fuels. However in a supposed change of stance, Al-Jaber urged countries to focus on “phasing out fossil fuel emissions,” reported Reuters. ALSO READ | Arctic could be ice-free in summer by 2030s. Previous models underestimated trends, say experts After a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday (June 7) both the EU and UAE have also pledged to support renewables in the upcoming climate summit. A joint statement by the EU and COP28 host said that both sides would “ensure maximum support on global 2030 targets for the tripling of renewable energy and doubling of energy efficiency.” It added, “These targets would support the transition towards energy systems free of unabated fossil fuels.” This also comes a month after over 100 members of the US Congress and European Parliament called for Al-Jaber’s removal as it would threaten the integrity of negotiations. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UAE state oil firm was able to read email exchanges about COP28 climate summit: Report

UN climate talks that were supposed to end Friday were extended by a day in an effort to break a deadlock over creating a fund for developing countries devastated by the fallout from global warming. Representatives from nearly 200 countries have gathered at the COP27 in Egypt for two weeks with the aim of driving forward action on climate change as the world faces a worsening onslaught of extreme floods, heat waves and droughts.&nbsp;

But wealthy and developing nations were still struggling to find common ground on creating the fund and on a host of other crucial issues with only hours before the summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh was due to end. “Today we need to shift gears again, time is not on our side," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, who chairs the COP27 talks, told delegates. “I remain committed to bringing this conference to a close tomorrow in an orderly manner."&nbsp;

The daunting list of urgent tasks includes finding agreement — and funds — for the emissions cuts needed to limit average warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels, which scientists say is a safer guardrail to avoid the most dangerous impacts. For many developing countries — and small island states threatened by sea level rise — the defining issues at the conference is money for the “loss and damage" caused by climate change.&nbsp;

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A cascade of climate-driven extremes in recent months — from floods in Pakistan and Nigeria to heatwaves and droughts across the world — have shone a spotlight on the ferocious impacts of a warming world for developing nations that are also struggling with debts and surging inflation. In a bid to find a compromise, the European Union proposed late Thursday the creation of a fund for the most vulnerable nations but warned it was its final offer.&nbsp;

The EU proposal indicated that the bloc, previously fearful of open-ended climate damages liability, has “shifted significantly", said Rachel Cleetus, lead economist at the Union of Concerned Scientists’ climate programme. But she said all eyes were now on the United States and China, the world’s top two polluters, fresh from a thaw in their climate relations after a meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping earlier this week in Bali.&nbsp;

“It’s crunch time," Cleetus told AFP. “There’s no time anymore for the US to sit on the sidelines. They have to come out with what their position is to show that they’re being constructive." Cleetus added that China should also make its position clear, particularly on the issue of whether it would contribute to such a fund and pledge not to draw from it.&nbsp;

“We think China and the US can really unlock this in these last 24 hours," Cleetus said. Earlier in the week, the G77 and China bloc of 134 developing countries proposed creating the loss and damage fund at the COP27 meeting, with other details to be agreed later.&nbsp;

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European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans told reporters on Friday that the EU offer had two “very important" conditions that differ from the G77 proposal. He said the fund should be for “the most vulnerable" nations and the money should come from a “broad funder base" — code for countries including China that have become wealthier since they were listed as developing countries in 1992.&nbsp;

“I have to say this is our final offer," Timmermans said. “This is where the (EU) member states can find an agreement and I have to thank all of them for for the courage to go this far. But this is it." Timmermans said he had explained the EU proposal to US delegates who were “very interested in seeing" that reaffirming the need to step up efforts to cut emissions to reach the 1.5C target be reflected in the conclusions. Pakistan’s climate minister Sherry Rehman, whose country chairs G77+China, expressed a willingness to “working with each other to find common ground".&nbsp;

“It is up to all of us to steer a path that sends a powerful message from this COP that the implementation COP actually turned into a historic actionable COP," she said. She said the G77 had zeroed in on one of the options put forward in a draft loss and damage text “with a few changes that have been submitted and we are working on with each other".&nbsp;

Developing nations have been relatively united in calling for the loss and damage fund at this COP. Some small island states said they had discussed walking out if they do not see progress. But the AOSIS coalition of small island states has also indicated it wants to see China, India and other major polluters contribute.&nbsp;

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UN climate talks that were supposed to end Friday were extended by a day in an effort to break a deadlock over creating a fund for developing countries devastated by the fallout from global warming.

UN climate talks that were supposed to end Friday were extended by a day in an effort to break a deadlock over creating a fund for developing countries devastated by the fallout from global warming. Representatives from nearly 200 countries have gathered at the COP27 in Egypt for two weeks with the aim of driving forward action on climate change as the world faces a worsening onslaught of extreme floods, heat waves and droughts. But wealthy and developing nations were still struggling to find common ground on creating the fund and on a host of other crucial issues with only hours before the summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh was due to end. “Today we need to shift gears again, time is not on our side," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, who chairs the COP27 talks, told delegates. “I remain committed to bringing this conference to a close tomorrow in an orderly manner." The daunting list of urgent tasks includes finding agreement — and funds — for the emissions cuts needed to limit average warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels, which scientists say is a safer guardrail to avoid the most dangerous impacts. For many developing countries — and small island states threatened by sea level rise — the defining issues at the conference is money for the “loss and damage" caused by climate change. Also read | Nord Stream blasts were acts of sabotage, traces of explosives found, says Swedish prosecutor A cascade of climate-driven extremes in recent months — from floods in Pakistan and Nigeria to heatwaves and droughts across the world — have shone a spotlight on the ferocious impacts of a warming world for developing nations that are also struggling with debts and surging inflation. In a bid to find a compromise, the European Union proposed late Thursday the creation of a fund for the most vulnerable nations but warned it was its final offer. The EU proposal indicated that the bloc, previously fearful of open-ended climate damages liability, has “shifted significantly", said Rachel Cleetus, lead economist at the Union of Concerned Scientists’ climate programme. But she said all eyes were now on the United States and China, the world’s top two polluters, fresh from a thaw in their climate relations after a meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping earlier this week in Bali. “It’s crunch time," Cleetus told AFP. “There’s no time anymore for the US to sit on the sidelines. They have to come out with what their position is to show that they’re being constructive." Cleetus added that China should also make its position clear, particularly on the issue of whether it would contribute to such a fund and pledge not to draw from it. “We think China and the US can really unlock this in these last 24 hours," Cleetus said. Earlier in the week, the G77 and China bloc of 134 developing countries proposed creating the loss and damage fund at the COP27 meeting, with other details to be agreed later. Also read | Biden administration suggests immunity for Saudi crown prince in Jamal Khashoggi killing case European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans told reporters on Friday that the EU offer had two “very important" conditions that differ from the G77 proposal. He said the fund should be for “the most vulnerable" nations and the money should come from a “broad funder base" — code for countries including China that have become wealthier since they were listed as developing countries in 1992. “I have to say this is our final offer," Timmermans said. “This is where the (EU) member states can find an agreement and I have to thank all of them for for the courage to go this far. But this is it." Timmermans said he had explained the EU proposal to US delegates who were “very interested in seeing" that reaffirming the need to step up efforts to cut emissions to reach the 1.5C target be reflected in the conclusions. Pakistan’s climate minister Sherry Rehman, whose country chairs G77+China, expressed a willingness to “working with each other to find common ground". “It is up to all of us to steer a path that sends a powerful message from this COP that the implementation COP actually turned into a historic actionable COP," she said. She said the G77 had zeroed in on one of the options put forward in a draft loss and damage text “with a few changes that have been submitted and we are working on with each other". Developing nations have been relatively united in calling for the loss and damage fund at this COP. Some small island states said they had discussed walking out if they do not see progress. But the AOSIS coalition of small island states has also indicated it wants to see China, India and other major polluters contribute.

COP27: UN climate talks extended by one day to break deadlock over funds

Reports say Chinese President Xi Jinping may not attend the UN climate change summit&nbsp;in-person at Glasgow which begins on Sunday.

China hasn't officially informed about Xi's participation in the COP26 summit as reports say the country is likely to send vice-environment minister Zhao Yingmin along with climate envoy Xie Zhenhua.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/fighting-climate-change-what-can-you-do-to-help-423750">Also Read:&nbsp;Fighting climate change. What can you do to help?</a>

Kremlin had announced earlier that Russian President Vladimir Putin won't be flying to Glasgow to attend the UN climate summit.

Reports claim Xi may attend the conference virtually. The Chinese president had addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) virtually last month.&nbsp;

The Chinese leader had also addressed the summit on climate in April. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson while describing if the summit would be a success, added&nbsp;that "it might go wrong" while conceding it is "very, very tough".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-affects-maasai-mara-reserve-in-kenya-423779">Also Read:&nbsp;Climate change affects Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya</a>

"It's touch and go, it's very very difficult," the UK prime minister said. Johnson announced that it is "far from clear" that there will be progress during the summit even as several world leaders including US President Joe Biden are set to attend.&nbsp;

Ahead of the summit, Australia which has a large coal deposit and exports the resource in vast quantities announced 2050 net zero emissions target pledging to invest $15 billion in low-emission technologies over the next decade.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison who had earlier indicated he won't be attending the summit decided to show up at Glasgow.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-indigenous-islanders-file-lawsuit-against-government-demand-climate-action-424150">Also Read:&nbsp;&nbsp;Australian indigenous islanders file lawsuit against government, demand climate action</a>

The Australian prime minister insisted that the country won't be shutting "coal or gas production or exports" while adding it would cut emissions 30-35 per cent by 2030.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

Reports say Chinese President Xi Jinping may not attend the UN climate change summit in-person at Glasgow which begins on Sunday. China hasn't officially informed about Xi's participation in the COP26 summit as reports say the country is likely to send vice-environment minister Zhao Yingmin along with climate envoy Xie Zhenhua.

Reports say Chinese President Xi Jinping may not attend the UN climate change summit in-person at Glasgow which begins on Sunday. China hasn't officially informed about Xi's participation in the COP26 summit as reports say the country is likely to send vice-environment minister Zhao Yingmin along with climate envoy Xie Zhenhua. Also Read: Fighting climate change. What can you do to help? Kremlin had announced earlier that Russian President Vladimir Putin won't be flying to Glasgow to attend the UN climate summit. Reports claim Xi may attend the conference virtually. The Chinese president had addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) virtually last month. The Chinese leader had also addressed the summit on climate in April. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson while describing if the summit would be a success, added that "it might go wrong" while conceding it is "very, very tough". Also Read: Climate change affects Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya "It's touch and go, it's very very difficult," the UK prime minister said. Johnson announced that it is "far from clear" that there will be progress during the summit even as several world leaders including US President Joe Biden are set to attend. Ahead of the summit, Australia which has a large coal deposit and exports the resource in vast quantities announced 2050 net zero emissions target pledging to invest $15 billion in low-emission technologies over the next decade. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison who had earlier indicated he won't be attending the summit decided to show up at Glasgow. Also Read: Australian indigenous islanders file lawsuit against government, demand climate action The Australian prime minister insisted that the country won't be shutting "coal or gas production or exports" while adding it would cut emissions 30-35 per cent by 2030. (With inputs from Agencies)

Chinese President Xi may not attend COP26: Report

Talking about India's climate change policies, PM Narendra Modi said that respect for nature is part of the tradition and need and not greed has been New Delhi's focus. Watch this video to know more.

PM Modi speaks at UN summit on climate change

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019. Watch this video to know more.

PM Modi to attend United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019

Indian PM Modi will be inaugurating Gandhi Solar Park on September 24th in New York. Watch this video to know more.

Indian PM Modi to inaugurate 50KW Gandhi Solar Park in New York

Indian PM Narendra Modi will also be attending UN Climate Action Summit 2019 in New York. Watch this video to know more.

Indian PM Modi to attend UN Climate Action Summit 2019

Thousands of Brazilians demanded action on climate change on Friday, taking aim in nationwide protests at President Jair Bolsonaro who they say is allowing fires to destroy the Amazon rainforest, worsening the environmental crisis.

Global anxiety that not enough is being done on climate change has focussed on Brazil since August when it was revealed that fires in the Amazon have surged to their highest level since 2010.

Environmentalists blame right-wing Bolsonaro's policies favouring development over environmental protections for that and rising deforestation.

"The policy of the Bolsonaro government is the policy of environmental destruction and deepening the climate crisis ... this is why we're on strike," said Marcela Pimentel Miranda, an organizer for Youth for Climate's affiliate in Brasilia, which is helping to organise the protests.

On Twitter, Brazilians tweeted #EleNao and #ForaSalles, calls to reject Bolsonaro and oust Environment Minister Ricardo Salles. Protesters criticized and mocked the two leaders with signs and costumes.

Salles told Reuters on Thursday that the majority of the Amazon remains intact, showing that Brazil is doing an "excellent job" to preserve the environment. On Friday, Bolsonaro authorized the military to continue firefighting efforts in the Amazon for another month.

The Amazon is the world's largest tropical rainforest, 60 per cent of which lies in Brazil, and absorbs the vast amount of greenhouse gases.

Salles acknowledged the existence of man-made climate change and said protesters are right to be concerned about the future.

"I have children and I am concerned about their future too," he said in an interview.

The demonstrations in major Brazilian cities are among thousands of protests in a global "climate strike" ahead of next week's UN Climate Action Summit and New York Climate Week, where political, business and civil society leaders will gather to discuss the issue.

"I am going to New York to show the world that Bolsonaro's policies do not represent Brazil, there are other views," congresswoman Tabata Amaral, 25, a member of a new generation of Brazilian politicians, said by telephone.

Small protests in the morning gave way to major demonstrations with hundreds gathering in Rio and Brasilia, while more than two thousand amassed in downtown Sao Paulo.

A few dozen people, mostly students, gathered on the steps Rio's state assembly behind a banner reading "climate justice."

"For us to have a livable planet and future, air to breath, food, and water, we need to solve this problem now," said Julia Waddington, one of the protesters.

Thousands of Brazilians demanded action on climate change on Friday, taking aim in nationwide protests at President Jair Bolsonaro who they say is allowing fires to destroy the Amazon rainforest, worsening the environmental crisis.

Thousands of Brazilians demanded action on climate change on Friday, taking aim in nationwide protests at President Jair Bolsonaro who they say is allowing fires to destroy the Amazon rainforest, worsening the environmental crisis. Global anxiety that not enough is being done on climate change has focussed on Brazil since August when it was revealed that fires in the Amazon have surged to their highest level since 2010. Environmentalists blame right-wing Bolsonaro's policies favouring development over environmental protections for that and rising deforestation. "The policy of the Bolsonaro government is the policy of environmental destruction and deepening the climate crisis ... this is why we're on strike," said Marcela Pimentel Miranda, an organizer for Youth for Climate's affiliate in Brasilia, which is helping to organise the protests. On Twitter, Brazilians tweeted #EleNao and #ForaSalles, calls to reject Bolsonaro and oust Environment Minister Ricardo Salles. Protesters criticized and mocked the two leaders with signs and costumes. Salles told Reuters on Thursday that the majority of the Amazon remains intact, showing that Brazil is doing an "excellent job" to preserve the environment. On Friday, Bolsonaro authorized the military to continue firefighting efforts in the Amazon for another month. The Amazon is the world's largest tropical rainforest, 60 per cent of which lies in Brazil, and absorbs the vast amount of greenhouse gases. Salles acknowledged the existence of man-made climate change and said protesters are right to be concerned about the future. "I have children and I am concerned about their future too," he said in an interview. The demonstrations in major Brazilian cities are among thousands of protests in a global "climate strike" ahead of next week's UN Climate Action Summit and New York Climate Week, where political, business and civil society leaders will gather to discuss the issue. "I am going to New York to show the world that Bolsonaro's policies do not represent Brazil, there are other views," congresswoman Tabata Amaral, 25, a member of a new generation of Brazilian politicians, said by telephone. Small protests in the morning gave way to major demonstrations with hundreds gathering in Rio and Brasilia, while more than two thousand amassed in downtown Sao Paulo. A few dozen people, mostly students, gathered on the steps Rio's state assembly behind a banner reading "climate justice." "For us to have a livable planet and future, air to breath, food, and water, we need to solve this problem now," said Julia Waddington, one of the protesters.

Brazilian climate strikers take aim at Bolsonaro for Amazon fires

Poor, rural Bangladeshis are spending far more than the government and aid agencies to combat the impacts of climate change, diverting what little money they have away from basic needs, a study said Thursday.

Bangladesh -- a densely populated and impoverished low-lying nation of 168 million people -- is among the most vulnerable to global warming with rising sea levels threatening coastal villages.

In a study billed as the first of its kind in comparing household spending to public financing, researchers found rural families were shelling out an average $2 billion a year to address the impacts of climate change.

In contrast, Dhaka's budget for climate change in rural areas for 2018-19 was $1.46 billion, while international financing was an estimated $154 million annually, the report by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) found.

The report was released days before a UN Climate Action Summit in New York between governments, business leaders and international organisations.

"This research reveals an alarming imbalance," IIED's director Andrew Norton said in a statement.

"It is unacceptable that the poorest people are shouldering the burden of spending for adapting to climate change in Bangladesh.

"Much more needs to be done to make sure more public climate finance reaches the people who need it most."

Families -- instead of buying food or spending their money on health and education -- were repairing damaged homes and replacing animals and crops.

They were using the money to raise their houses above flood levels, and some were even taking out high-interest loans from informal sources, pushing them further into poverty, the researchers said.

Mohammad Nannu's home was last year destroyed by the shifting currents of the Padma, a tributary of the Himalayan river the Ganges.

He told AFP he borrowed money at an interest rate of more than 20 percent to make ends meet after the disaster, which experts said was due to climate change.

"I become penniless after losing my home and property... when the Padma devoured our entire village," the 50-year-old said.

Local mayor Shahidul Islam said just a handful of families were provided with new homes, with hundreds of others having to rent or move to cities.

Atiq Rahman, a Bangladeshi expert who sits in a UN climate change panel, welcomed the study but said $2 billion was "a fraction of the amount" Bangladeshis and the government spent every year.

"This is an underestimate. There are many climate change-related costs that cannot be easily monetised," he told AFP, citing the impacts on health, land fertility and livestock.

Poor, rural Bangladeshis are spending far more than the government and aid agencies to combat the impacts of climate change, diverting what little money they have away from basic needs, a study said Thursday.

Poor, rural Bangladeshis are spending far more than the government and aid agencies to combat the impacts of climate change, diverting what little money they have away from basic needs, a study said Thursday. Bangladesh -- a densely populated and impoverished low-lying nation of 168 million people -- is among the most vulnerable to global warming with rising sea levels threatening coastal villages. In a study billed as the first of its kind in comparing household spending to public financing, researchers found rural families were shelling out an average $2 billion a year to address the impacts of climate change. In contrast, Dhaka's budget for climate change in rural areas for 2018-19 was $1.46 billion, while international financing was an estimated $154 million annually, the report by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) found. The report was released days before a UN Climate Action Summit in New York between governments, business leaders and international organisations. "This research reveals an alarming imbalance," IIED's director Andrew Norton said in a statement. "It is unacceptable that the poorest people are shouldering the burden of spending for adapting to climate change in Bangladesh. "Much more needs to be done to make sure more public climate finance reaches the people who need it most." Families -- instead of buying food or spending their money on health and education -- were repairing damaged homes and replacing animals and crops. They were using the money to raise their houses above flood levels, and some were even taking out high-interest loans from informal sources, pushing them further into poverty, the researchers said. Mohammad Nannu's home was last year destroyed by the shifting currents of the Padma, a tributary of the Himalayan river the Ganges. He told AFP he borrowed money at an interest rate of more than 20 percent to make ends meet after the disaster, which experts said was due to climate change. "I become penniless after losing my home and property... when the Padma devoured our entire village," the 50-year-old said. Local mayor Shahidul Islam said just a handful of families were provided with new homes, with hundreds of others having to rent or move to cities. Atiq Rahman, a Bangladeshi expert who sits in a UN climate change panel, welcomed the study but said $2 billion was "a fraction of the amount" Bangladeshis and the government spent every year. "This is an underestimate. There are many climate change-related costs that cannot be easily monetised," he told AFP, citing the impacts on health, land fertility and livestock.

Bangladesh rural poor bear financial burden of climate change: Study