As the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) approaches, South African officials are urging developed nations to deliver actionable commitments, particularly in the realm of climate finance. The conference, scheduled to commence next month in Brazil, is seen as a critical juncture for translating climate pledges into tangible outcomes. Dion George, South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, emphasized the need for the operationalization of the loss and damage fund, which must be adequately capitalized and accessible to vulnerable nations, especially in Africa. George highlighted the necessity of technical and capacity-building support to enable developing countries to effectively mitigate and address climate-induced losses. South Africa, in collaboration with the African group of negotiators, will advocate for the continent’s unique needs, including its limited historical responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The call for action comes against the backdrop of the $100 billion annual climate finance pledge made by developed countries in 2009, which has yet to be fully realized. The New Collective Quantified Goal, adopted at COP29 in Azerbaijan, aims to raise $300 billion annually by 2035 to support developing countries’ climate efforts. The Baku to Belem Roadmap, established at COP29, further underscores the need for enhanced international cooperation in climate finance. Dorah Modise, Executive Director of South Africa’s Presidential Climate Commission, stressed the importance of clarity on funding availability and disbursement mechanisms. She emphasized that COP30 must demonstrate the efficacy of multilateralism in addressing global challenges like climate change, without burdening the Global South with additional debt. Modise called for grants and concessional loans to support infrastructure damage caused by climate change, ensuring accessibility and localization. South Africa’s decarbonization efforts will align with its developmental goals, including economic growth and job creation, while fostering intra-African collaboration and South-South partnerships. Boitumelo Molete, a policy coordinator at the Congress of South African Trade Unions, underscored the need for COP30 to deliver concrete outcomes that operationalize the Just Transition Work Programme and support vulnerable communities. Makoma Lekalakala, Director of Earthlife Africa, echoed the call for a clear roadmap from COP29 to COP30, emphasizing the urgency of addressing loss and damage financing.