Michai Robertson, a key advisor to small island nations, expressed frustration at rich countries' reluctance to commit to climate finance during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. He criticized the tit-for-tat negotiating tactics and the inadequate support for developing countries facing climate change impacts. The need for a new collective quantified goal (NCQG) to replace the current $100bn annual target was emphasized, alongside concerns about the effectiveness of market-based carbon credit systems.