Why was the transfer of climate funding from developed countries to less-developed countries difficult to negotiate in Paris?

The transfer of climate funding from developed to less-developed countries (LDCs) was a significant point of contention during the Paris Agreement negotiations primarily because developed nations were resistant to bearing the financial burden alone.1

This reluctance stemmed from concerns regarding the exclusive responsibility for funding the costs associated with climate mitigation and adaptation. While the agreement ultimately underscored the need for developed countries to continue providing financial resources—building upon existing obligations such as the commitment to mobilize $100 billion per year by 2020—the lack of consensus on how to distribute these costs made the negotiations particularly difficult.1