Challenges Faced by Vulnerable States in Climate Negotiations

Vulnerable states are facing a radical state of affairs where they may effectively cease to exist due to a predictable disaster, yet there is a lack of action to address this issue. The current meeting structure, based on powerful states, struggles to acknowledge the sovereign equality of all states and is fixated on the 1.5 degree goal. The most vulnerable states were not represented when the inadequate deal was made, as decisions are predominantly made by powerful states like India, China, EU, G7, Japan, US, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. Consequently, politicians representing small island states find it impossible to influence decisions, leaving them with little recourse other than protest, which is unlikely to sway the outcome.