Developing countries have sought an agenda on finance for scaling up mitigation action at the Bonn climate talks, but developed countries have opposed the agenda, resulting in a lack of official agenda for the technical negotiations. At the heart of this logjam is the issue of funding for the mitigation of the climate crisis. Developed countries are not willing to recognise their historical responsibility, which has resulted in a deep lack of trust. The impasse could jeopardise the agenda at the COP28 climate conference to be held in Dubai in November and urgent action on the climate crisis.