Guwahati, Dec. 8 -- By Joydeep Gupta

Feel-good, voluntary pledges have dominated the first week of theCOP28UN climate negotiations happening now in Dubai, with host country the UAE taking the lead in making key announcements. But beyond the early wins, negotiations going into the second week remain fraught with disagreements.

The announcement that the loss and damage fund had been operationalised was met on day one with a standing ovation by COP28 delegates. The fund is intended to finance relief and rehabilitation after climate-induced disasters.

Countries committed up to USD 726 million into the fund during the first week. This is still asmall proportionof what will be needed, and it's unclear how much of the money will come as grant...