Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, urged world leaders at COP29 taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, to take immediate, practical action on climate finance and loss and damage funding. He said that while donor countries claim funds are available, the process to access them is “painful and difficult,” with a significant gap between available finance and what is actually accessible for small island nations like Grenada.
Mitchell, speaking after Grenada’s recent experience with Hurricane Beryl, stressed that the climate crisis is real and urgent. “We are experiencing it, and it is just a matter of time before others begin to experience what we’re experiencing,” he said.
He called for a more streamlined, transparent approach to accessing climate funds and a significant scaling up of the loss and damage fund. “How are the funds going to be made available and for what purposes? It’s simple,” he said, urging that funds be made immediately accessible and not in the form of loans.
Mitchell also advocated for greater private sector involvement and innovative financial solutions, citing the faster, more flexible processes used in investment banking as a potential model for climate finance.
Mac McFarlane, a firefighter-medic from Hanover, Virginia, has spent the last two decades working tirelessly to improve emergency services in his home country, Belize. A promise made 25 years ago blossomed into a life-saving nonprofit organisation known today as Belize Heroes.
McFarlane’s initiative landed major recognition after getting featured in The Hanover Review magazine. The magazine reported that McFarlane made a heartfelt promise to the fire chief back home before moving to Virginia in the United States. “I promised the fire chief I’d send equipment and do whatever I could to support the fire department.”
McFarlane joined Chesterfield County Fire and EMS in 2000, where he started collecting and shipping surplus firefighting equipment to Belize. His efforts were not just about providing equipment; he also arranged for Belizean firefighters, including current Deputy Chief Ben Matura, to attend Chesterfield’s fire academy for advanced training.
Over the years, McFarlane’s work grew more impactful. In 2008, after joining Hanover Fire-EMS, he also earned a nursing degree, which helped him expand his role in emergency medical services (EMS). By 2017, McFarlane took a more formal step by founding Belize Heroes, which was initially called the Virginia Emergency Services Assistance Program for Belize.
“Everything started to fall into place after Belize Heroes was created,” McFarlane said.
A turning point came in 2021 and 2023, when Belize Heroes secured two major grants from the U.S. Embassy in Belize, totalling $450,000. These grants were used to launch a pilot EMS program and expand emergency services to the northern parts of Belize.
McFarlane said he is focused on ensuring that Belize’s fire and EMS services become self-sufficient. In January 2025, Rob Riverol, a Belizean firefighter, will become the country’s first qualified EMT instructor after completing a year of training in Hanover, reported the Hanover Review.
As McFarlane nears retirement, his commitment to Belize remains unwavering. While he plans to return to his childhood village of Flowers Bank, he will continue his work with Belize Heroes. “My goal is still to help the fire department,” McFarlane said.
The National Bank of Belize has announced the appointment of Dyon Elliott as its new General Manager, effective November 1, 2024. Elliott, who has served as the bank’s Head of Business Development, Marketing, and Strategy, succeeds Alvaro Alamina, who led the bank for the past decade.
With a Master of Science in Economics and Banking and Finance, Elliott expressed his vision for the future, stating, “We are focused on enhancing our services through customer-centred solutions, digital transformation, and our mission to be ‘Your Partner, every step of the way.’”
Elliott’s appointment is seen as a step towards enhancing customer service and advancing the bank’s digital capabilities. According to Thomas Tillett, Chairman of the Board, “Mr. Elliott’s focus on client engagement, personalisation, and digital innovation aligns with our vision for growth and service excellence.”
National Emergency Coordinator, Daniel Mendez, provided an update on the National Emergency Management Organization’s (NEMO) preparations in response to Tropical Storm Sara.
Heavy rainfall is expected to cause life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides across parts of Central America, especially in Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala, and western Nicaragua, through early next week. Tropical storm conditions are likely along the northern coast of Honduras and the Bay Islands, where warnings are in effect. The system is forecast to approach Belize and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula by early next week, bringing a risk of strong winds, and residents should stay updated on the latest forecasts. It remains uncertain whether the system will impact the eastern Gulf of Mexico, including Florida, later next week, so residents there should also monitor forecast updates.
Mendez outlined that all emergency operation centres across the country are being prepared, with emergency committees meeting to discuss operational plans and needs. NEMO is preparing for heavy rainfall and strong winds that could lead to flooding in various parts of the country.
He said NEMO’s ongoing operations, which have included providing support to flood-prone areas. Mendez shared that NEMO is currently assisting two villages—San Roman in the Rio Hondo and San Antonio—which have been impacted by flooding. Access to these areas is currently restricted, so NEMO has been using boats and vehicles, including those provided by the Belize Defence Force, to ferry residents across flooded zones.
Mendez also mentioned that water levels are rising in the village of Douglas, where two families are sheltering. NEMO is continuing its support with ferrying workers and students in the San Roman and Santa Cruz areas.
Mendez urged the public to remain vigilant and prepared, particularly those living in flood-prone areas. He stressed that while the country is still in the hurricane season, NEMO is fully operational and ready to respond in coordination with all levels of government and partners.
Tropical Storm Sara formed in the Caribbean on Thursday, with sustained winds of 40 mph and a westward movement at 12 mph. The storm, which became Tropical Storm Sara from Potential Tropical Cyclone 19, is expected to slow down near Honduras by Friday, stalling near Central America through the weekend. This will bring heavy rainfall and the risk of dangerous flash flooding across Central America.
Sara’s path is forecast to take it toward the Gulf of Mexico by early next week, potentially affecting parts of the Gulf Coast. The storm’s winds have strengthened, and it may continue to intensify if it remains over water. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the northern coast of Honduras and the Bay Islands, with Tropical Storm Watches in place for parts of Nicaragua. Residents in affected areas should monitor updates from local meteorological services.
Rainfall totals of 10 to 20 inches, with isolated amounts up to 30 inches, are expected over northern Honduras, leading to life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides, particularly in the Sierra La Esperanza region. Other areas, including Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala, and western Nicaragua, may see 5 to 10 inches of rain, with localised totals up to 15 inches. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning areas, and storm surge may raise water levels along Honduras’ northern coast by 1 to 3 feet, accompanied by large waves.
In today’s briefing, Chief Hydrologist Tennielle Hendy provided an update on the ongoing flooding across Belize, with warnings still in effect for several rivers.
“We do have a flood warning still in effect for the Rio Hondo, Makal, Maupan, and Belize rivers,” Hendy confirmed. “Some of the roads in the north are still impassable.”
While some regions have seen improvements, such as a decrease in flood levels in Region 7, Hendy stated that other areas remain at risk. “In Region 9, we have the Mopan and the Belize rivers still at bankfull or flood stage,” she said, adding, “the spillways at the tree dam facilities are still active.”
Hendy added: “A departure from the flood forecast issued yesterday is that we’re now seeing that the Saboon River is exhibiting increasing above-normal levels for the remainder of the country.”
She warned that conditions could change rapidly with rainfall. “We expect that with rainfall, the situation will change,” she said. “These are models… they are based on a living, moving, breathing environment, and it can change.”
Regarding flash flooding, Hendy explained the current soil moisture levels, which are moderate but could lead to increased risk. Regarding Tropical Depression Nineteen, she stated that it is expected to bring up to 10 inches of rain over the next five days. She warned, “If you receive additional rainfall, we can see the extent widening in these areas,” and advised the public to continue monitoring the weather from reliable sources.
During a press briefing this morning, Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon addressed the potential impacts of Tropical Depression Nineteen, which is currently located in the western Caribbean. According to Gordon, there’s a less than 20% probability of tropical storm-force winds reaching Belize within the next five days, though this could increase as the system intensifies. “That low probability doesn’t rule it out entirely,” he explained, “but for now, based on the forecast, it’s low.”
Gordon shared satellite imagery showing that the system, though disorganised, is becoming better structured, with banding features forming near the Gulf of Honduras. As of the latest update, the system is moving west at 14 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and a central pressure of 1004 mb. It is approximately 391 miles east-southeast of Belize City, with a projected arrival in Belize’s vicinity within 27 hours if it maintained its speed. However, the system is forecast to slow down and potentially stall north of Honduras for 24 to 36 hours before shifting northwest.
Gordon pointed out that while models offer different scenarios, each one predicts significant rainfall for Belize, with some areas potentially seeing more than 10 inches by Monday. While the American model shows the system weakening due to land interaction, the European model suggests it could intensify slightly as it stalls near the Honduran coast.
Gordon noted that residents should stay updated as forecasts may shift. Regardless of its final intensity, the system is likely to bring widespread heavy rainfall, and there’s a significant chance of a tropical storm impacting Belize late Sunday into Monday.
Gordon reminded residents that models have inherent inaccuracies and assumptions, adding, “No forecast can be precise. There is a high probability of landfall in Belize, but focus less on exact timing—rainfall could precede the storm’s arrival.”
Azerbaijan had planned to unveil its flagship initiative—the Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF)—on COP29’s ‘finance day’. However, the controversial climate fund is on hold, while progress on the climate finance talks remains slow. The CFAF’s objective is to raise at least $1 billion primarily to support clean energy projects, energy efficiency, and climate resilience in developing nations that rely on voluntary contributions from fossil fuel-producing nations and companies from developed nations.
COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev had previously described the fund as a “significant step” for communities looking for action, not just words. However, when the time came, the fund was noticeably absent from the agenda. A high-profile event to launch the CFAF was cancelled, and the initiative was placed on the backburner.
Azerbaijan’s chief negotiator, Yalchin Rafiyev, explained that a working group had been formed to refine the concept and ensure it was acceptable to potential donor countries. “It’s a very complex process to establish a new fund,” Rafiyev said.
The decision to delay the CFAF was reportedly due to ongoing tensions over the post-2025 climate finance goal (NCQG). Developing countries were allegedly wary that contributing to Azerbaijan’s fund could set a precedent for them to also contribute to the NCQG.
Environmental groups have largely welcomed the postponement, with Andreas Sieber from 350.org calling the fund a “distraction” and “greenwashing.” “Putting money into a fund while expanding fossil fuels is like pretending to put out a fire while feeding it more fuel,” Sieber said.
Azerbaijan was also expected to announce a new climate action plan (NDC) at COP29, but it has not yet done so.
Finance Talks Stall as Deadline Approaches
Progress on COP29’s key outcome—the post-2025 climate finance goal—remains sluggish. Negotiators arrived in Baku with a nine-page draft text, but after discussions, it was expanded to 34 pages. On Wednesday, the co-chairs attempted to shorten it again, but they ended up only reducing it by one page.
Negotiators are expected to continue discussions behind closed doors on crucial issues like transparency, reporting, and how to ensure climate finance actually reaches those who need it.
Top economists recently released a UN-backed report calling for a massive increase in climate finance, urging advanced economies to triple their existing commitment from $100 billion to $300 billion per year by 2030. The report also stressed the importance of private sector and multilateral development bank support, along with greater cooperation between developing nations.
Campaigners at COP29 are rallying behind Colombia’s call for a global treaty on the mining of critical minerals needed for the energy transition, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. These minerals are crucial for clean energy technologies but have often been linked to human rights abuses and environmental damage.
Suneeta Kaimal, CEO of the Natural Resource Governance Institute, argued that voluntary standards have not been enough and a binding agreement is needed to ensure traceability from mining to recycling.
Zimbabwe’s president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, also spoke out, warning against repeating past mistakes where resource-rich countries remain trapped in poverty while others reap the benefits. Mnangagwa brought up the need for more investment in Africa’s mineral industries rather than just exporting raw materials for processing abroad.
Calls for a fairer, more sustainable approach to critical mineral extraction are growing at this year’s COP. Several world leaders stand against making the mistakes of the past and ensure that the benefits of the energy transition are shared more equitably.
1. Heavy rainfall is expected to bring severe, life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides across parts of Central America through early next week, especially in Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala, and western Nicaragua.
2. Tropical storm conditions are forecasted along portions of northern Honduras and the Bay Islands, where warnings are in effect.
3. The system is projected to approach Belize and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula by early next week, with a risk of strong winds. Residents in these areas are advised to stay updated on the forecast.
4. The potential impact on the eastern Gulf of Mexico, including Florida, remains uncertain for the middle of next week. Residents in these regions should monitor forecast updates closely.
Tropical Depression Nineteen, poised to become Tropical Storm Sara, is advancing through the western Caribbean Sea and is expected to bring a potentially catastrophic flood threat to Central America over the coming days. Currently located over 200 miles east-southeast of Isla Guanaja, Honduras, the depression has sustained winds of 35 mph and is moving westward at 14 mph.
Tropical storm watches and warnings have been issued along the Central American coast, with conditions expected within 36 to 48 hours. The system is forecasted to strengthen in the Caribbean’s warm waters, although land interaction near Honduras, Belize, and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula could limit its intensity.
Regardless of Sara’s ultimate strength, the storm’s anticipated slow movement across the region is expected to bring torrential rainfall and widespread flash flooding. Northern Honduras could experience up to 30 inches of rain, while Belize, Nicaragua, and surrounding areas may see up to 15 inches, increasing the risk of mudslides and severe flooding.
