UNITED NATIONS climate talks negotiators told to “cut the theatrics” as work resumed today to try to reach a deal for developing countries to get more money to spend on clean energy and adapting to climate-charged weather extremes.

The UN Climate Change executive secretary Simon Stiell called today for countries to “cut the theatrics and get down to real business.

“We will only get the job done if parties are prepared to step forward in parallel, bringing us closer to common ground,” Stiell said to a room of delegates in Baku, Azerbaijan. “I know we can get this done.”

Climate and environment ministers from around the world have arrived at the summit to help push the talks forward.

Talks in Baku are focused on getting more climate cash for developing countries to transition away from fossil fuels, adapt to climate change and pay for damages caused by extreme weather. 

But countries are far apart on how much money that will require. Several experts put the sum needed at around $1 trillion (£79 billion).

Some rich countries say that developing countries that are able to — such as China and Gulf states — should also be contributors to the climate cash pot.

But Teresa Anderson, the Global Lead on Climate Justice at ActionAid International, was sceptical about rich countries’ intentions.

Ms Anderson said: “Rich countries are just trying to point the finger and have an excuse to provide less finance. That’s not the way to address runaway climate breakdown and is a distraction from the real issues at stake.”

Rachel Cleetus from the Union of Concerned Scientists said that $1trn in global climate funds “is going to look like a bargain five or 10 years from now.”

Meanwhile, Brazil is hosting the Group of 20 summit, which began today, bringing together many of the world’s largest economies. 

Climate change — among other major topics like rising global tensions and poverty — will be on the agenda.