Inside the Mind of a Climate Diplomat - Interview with Sara Ahmed Alliusie Alhilali (Part 2)

In this second installment of our two-part interview with Sara Ahmed Alliusie Alhilali, we pick up right where we left off—venturing deeper into the heart of climate negotiations. If Part 1 highlighted personal awakenings and the messy reality of reaching consensus, Part 2 shifts focus to the challenges of turning ambitious pledges into tangible results. From climate finance to accountability gaps, Sara offers a candid glimpse of what truly fuels (and stalls) global climate action.

PART 2: Unpacking the Realities of Climate Diplomacy

Q6. With all the headlines about ambitious pledges, what do people not see about what really happens behind closed doors?

What people often don’t see behind the headlines is the sheer complexity of climate negotiations. It’s easy to assume that when a country makes a commitment, it’s a straightforward decision—but in reality, negotiations are a balancing act between ambition, practicality, and national interests.

Every country enters the room with its own economic realities, political priorities, and regional pressures. That’s where strategy comes in. Each delegation wants to push for outcomes that align with their capabilities and long-term goals. Some fight for the strongest possible language, while others negotiate for flexibility, knowing their domestic situation might not allow them to meet rigid commitments. Every word in an agreement is deliberate—sometimes vague by design to leave room for interpretation. The big pledges make the headlines, but they don’t reflect the months of trade-offs, strategic maneuvering, and back-and-forth negotiations that shape the final outcome.

Q7. Where do you see the greatest disconnect between diplomatic agreements and real-world implementation?

The greatest disconnect between diplomatic agreements and real-world implementation lies in the gap between ambition and action. Negotiations often produce carefully crafted agreements with ambitious targets, but turning those words into tangible outcomes is another challenge entirely.

This gap could be said to be the biggest in the area of climate finance. Many commitments are made without clear mechanisms for delivery. Developing nations, in particular, struggle to access promised funds, and there’s often a gap between pledges and actual disbursements—which can be frustratingly difficult to track. Without binding enforcement, it leaves those most vulnerable without the resources they were promised.

Another major gap is between ambition and domestic policy. Countries might announce bold targets at COP, but if those commitments aren’t reflected in national regulations, they remain just that—announcements. Implementation depends on domestic priorities, political cycles, and economic realities, all of which tend to move at a much slower pace than global climate talks. However, having been on the inside, I can understand just how difficult it can be to push policy and action forward. It requires a lot of time and resources. Without proper coordination, it can feel like trying to carry an elephant across the plains with your bare hands.

Lastly, there’s the issue of accountability and timing. Many pledges extend decades into the future, with few mechanisms to ensure meaningful short-term progress. Meanwhile, climate change is happening now. Political transitions, economic shifts, and competing global crises can stall even the most ambitious plans.

At the end of the day, negotiations are only as strong as their follow-through. Agreements are necessary, but they need to translate into real, measurable action. That’s why I believe implementation should be just as much of a priority as negotiation—otherwise, we risk making promises that never materialize.

Q8. There’s a sense that climate diplomacy is stuck in cycles of endless meetings and recycled pledges. What’s one thing you wish could be done differently to break this cycle?

I’ll give you two, and they’re just ideas… I recognize the challenges we face with this process, especially after the Kyoto Protocol, where strict accountability mechanisms backfired—some parties refused to commit, and hence, the entire agreement structure collapsed. That’s the challenge in climate diplomacy: ensuring real accountability without making commitments so rigid that countries walk away.

To break the cycle of endless meetings and recycled pledges, two key shifts could be explored:

1. Stronger enforcement mechanisms through incentives rather than penalties. Instead of framing accountability as punishment, we should focus on creating incentives for countries to stay on track and deliver real progress. Compliance could be linked to access to climate finance, trade benefits, or preferential partnerships—rewarding countries that meet their commitments with investment opportunities, technology-sharing agreements, or improved international standing. Performance-based climate financing, where funds are tied to demonstrated progress rather than just pledges, could further strengthen follow-through. Accountability should not just prevent failure—it should make success the most attractive and beneficial path forward.

   
   

2. Redefining success by shifting from target-setting to actual delivery. Climate diplomacy places too much emphasis on new pledges rather than tracking and accelerating implementation. COP should evolve into a space that prioritizes action—facilitating discussions on real-world impact and bringing in key actors like corporates, NGOs, and policymakers who are actively driving change. Greater emphasis should be placed on case studies, lessons learned, and best practices from countries successfully translating policy into action.

   
   

If we made accountability and implementation central to the process, dedicating as much time to reviewing real progress as we do to negotiating future goals, we would shift the momentum from promises to impact.

Q9. Looking ahead, what do you see as the most pressing diplomatic challenge in global climate action? If the international community fails to address it effectively, what are the potential consequences?

It’s always about the money. The most pressing diplomatic challenge in global climate action is securing predictable, real, long-term climate finance with clear mechanisms for access and accountability. Without adequate funding, especially for developing nations, even the most ambitious commitments will remain empty promises.

Right now, there’s a massive gap between already pledged funds and actual disbursements. Developing countries—often the most vulnerable to climate impacts—struggle to access financing due to slow-moving bureaucracies, complex application processes, and a lack of transparency. And, we must also ensure that the funds are used in the most effective and just manner.

The consequences are severe. Without proper funding, adaptation efforts will fall short, loss and damage will escalate, and entire regions will face economic and social destabilization. This could lead to humanitarian crises, mass displacement, and heightened geopolitical tensions, turning climate change into a full-scale security issue.

To break this cycle, climate finance must be predictable, accessible, and tied to real implementation—not just political pledges. If we fail to make this shift, the credibility of international climate agreements will erode, and the world will continue to fall short of its climate goals, with the most vulnerable paying the highest price.

Q10. For those aspiring to work in climate diplomacy, what are the most essential skills and experiences they should focus on developing?

Climate diplomacy requires a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and strong interpersonal skills. For those looking to enter the field, these five skills are key:

1. Negotiation & Diplomacy: Climate talks aren’t just about policies—they’re about politics, trade-offs, and reading the room. Knowing how international agreements are structured and when to push or compromise at the right moment is essential.

   
   

2. Policy, Law & Global Context: You need to understand past agreements and mechanisms—like the Paris Agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, previous decisions, climate finance frameworks, and international law—but also the political realities driving decisions. Climate action doesn’t happen in a vacuum.

   
   

3. Strategic Communication & Relationship-Building: The ability to convey complex information persuasively, foster trust, and connect with stakeholders from different backgrounds makes negotiations smoother and more productive. Cross-cultural competence and language skills are major assets.

   
   

4. Resilience & Adaptability: Negotiations can be long, exhausting, and often frustrating. Staying sharp at 3 AM after days of discussions, pivoting strategies in real time, and not letting setbacks break you—that’s what makes a strong negotiator.

   
   

5. Analytical & Research Abilities: Climate diplomacy involves dense legal texts, technical reports, and shifting policy landscapes. The ability to quickly synthesize key information, apply it in negotiations, write concise notes and stay ahead of evolving discussions is a game-changer.

Sara’s insights in these final questions demonstrate the high-stakes balancing act of climate diplomacy: matching big ambitions with real enforcement, bridging the financing gap, and keeping negotiations focused on delivery rather than mere promises. From incentivising compliance to redefining success, she points to tangible ways we could break free from repetitive cycles. In the end, effective climate action demands not just well-crafted agreements but the dedication, skill, and humanity to translate them into real-world solutions.