Unfortunately, so far, our performance on both transparency as well as accountability has not been very good. Fortunately, there is still time to improve this before the major climate change funds begin to flow.

The threat facing us all is very real, even if it is not as apparent to all of us as it is to the inhabitants of the small island states. There is a role for everyone in confronting it. The Paris conference must be a watershed moment, leading us into an era of green economic development and opportunity.

However, what is still to be agreed upon is how the $50 billion for adaptation is to be delivered with the GCF being unable to deliver any money yet, and in an even more troubling move, are offering loans instead of grants to vulnerable developing countries for adaptation projects.

The UN climate negotiations are heading for failure and need a major redesign if they are to succeed, scientists say.