As global leaders converge in Belém, Brazil, for the COP30 climate conference, a stark warning has emerged regarding the inadequacy of financial commitments to climate adaptation measures in vulnerable nations. Mathias Mogge, Secretary General of the Welthungerhilfe, has issued a sharp rebuke of Germany and other industrialized nations, demanding a substantial increase in funding directed towards assisting countries disproportionately impacted by climate change.
Mogge’s call comes amidst growing concerns over a widening “finance gap” – the chasm between the pledged and delivered financial support for adaptation efforts. He emphasizes the inherent injustice of the situation, highlighting that nations least responsible for triggering the climate crisis are bearing its most devastating consequences.
The situation is further complicated by proposed cuts to German development cooperation within the 2026 budget. Mogge argues that these reductions will actively undermine nascent progress and exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. He contends that a truly equitable and sustainable climate policy requires increased investment, particularly given the escalating impact of the climate crisis on agriculture and food security across numerous regions.
The current trajectory casts serious doubt on the feasibility of achieving the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. Mogge’s central message for the COP30 summit is unequivocal: climate policy must intrinsically address hunger and its root causes to be considered just and sustainable. Failing to integrate these critical considerations risks perpetuating cycles of poverty and instability, undermining the very foundations of a globally equitable response to the climate challenge. The question now is whether political will can overcome budgetary constraints and deliver the tangible support desperately needed by those on the front lines of the climate crisis.