Evans Njewa, Chair of the LDC Group

Climate change is not a distant threat — it’s an urgent crisis affecting the world’s most vulnerable nations, particularly the 45 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) that I represent. These nations, already struggling with poverty and limited resources, are bearing the brunt of a crisis that they have contributed to the least. Over the past year alone, many LDCs have experienced devastating climate-related shocks, compounding their economic challenges.

Somalia had devastating flooding, affecting over 163,000 people, displacing more than 37,000, and killing seven children. This followed one of the worst droughts in decades, which caused economic losses in the hundreds of millions, worsening food insecurity for over half the population and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.

Malawi and Mozambique are still recovering from Cyclone Freddy that occurred in 2023, which affected over 2.2 million people in Malawi alone, leading to 679 deaths, and severe crop damage. By early 2025, 5.7 million Malawians could face acute food shortages, with recovery costs exceeding $680 million.

In Nepal, nearly 250 people have died in floods and landslides after unprecedented rains. In two days, Kathmandu alone received half its average annual rainfall. Critical infrastructure, such as schools, health facilities and hydropower plants, as well as homes, have been damaged.

In Haiti, heavy rains, strong winds, floods, and landslides in June 2023 resulted in 42 deaths, with 11 people missing and 85 injured. Approximately 6334 people were evacuated, nearly 12,800 families were affected, and 13,500 houses were flooded.

Responding, rebuilding and adapting to these climate change impacts is costing huge sums of money forcing our countries to divert resources from essential health care, education, and other development needs to address this crisis.

Meanwhile, we’re facing huge borrowing costs and scrambling to service the interest we have on our existing debt. In 2023 government debt as a percentage of GDP in LDCs was close to 60%, up from 41% in 2011. As of November 2023, six LDCs were classified as in debt distress, while 15 others were at high risk.

The upcoming 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) in November in Baku, Azerbaijan, presents an opportunity to ramp up this crucial climate financing.

The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated. Finance is essential to reduce global emissions in line with the 1.5°C warming limit, build global resilience, and significantly enhance international support for vulnerable countries. The scale of loss and damage experienced today is both heartbreaking and unacceptable. The economic and social costs undermine development gains and perpetuate cycles of poverty and vulnerability. For LDCs, climate change is not just an environmental issue — it’s a direct threat to livelihoods, food security, and economic stability.

The injustice is clear: LDCs, with our minimal carbon footprints, suffer disproportionately from the emissions of wealthy nations.

This COP is a chance to remedy some of these injustices. For the first time in over 15 years, governments will be negotiating a new climate finance goal. A goal that could really reflect the needs of vulnerable countries, both in its size, but also in the modes of access. One that is science-based, and that can evolve with the needs of the problems it seeks to tackle. Developing countries’ needs for Nationally Determined Contributions and adaptation plans are estimated between 5-6.8 trillion USD up to 2030.

Wealthy nations have an obligation to provide support, and must meet this moment of crisis with scaled-up financial assistance, technology transfer, and knowledge. Affluent countries must also lead by example by committing to ambitious emissions reduction targets and transitioning to renewable energy sources.

Failing to act condemns hundreds of millions to further hardship and displacement. Make no mistake, we are already bearing the cost of the world’s delayed energy transition.

In the face of climate change, there is no room for complacency. The time for bold, collective action is now. Only through genuine collaboration and solidarity can we confront the climate crisis and create a more just and sustainable world for all.

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About the Author: Evans Njewa is Deputy Director in Malawi’s Ministry of the Natural Resources and Climate Change, and is currently Chairing the LDCs Group at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.