Thirteen countries submitted their Nationally Determined Contributions to the UN – including Singapore, the only Asian nation to do so – while the majority of Paris Agreement signatories missed a 10 February deadline. Countries could be holding back in light of uncertainties in a post-Trump world, say observers.

Asia Pacific nations face mounting climate costs as the world crosses the 1.5°C threshold, with extreme weather driving inflation, disaster risks and a US$815 billion annual financing gap for adaptation and resilience.

As nations assemble at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, one issue is expected to dominate the summit: climate finance.

Nation-states have too much sway over international climate talks, which should give a more prominent role to businesses and other non-state actors to achieve progress, legal scholars say.