As COP29 came to a close, the outcome heralded several crucial developments in the global climate effort. The climate talks concluded with a landmark deal to triple financial aid for developing nations to climate-proof their economies, signaling a significant step towards addressing the financial needs of countries vulnerable to climate change impacts. However, the agreed-upon $300 billion fell short of the trillions of dollars required, indicating the ongoing challenges in generating adequate financial support for climate action. Moreover, discussions at COP29 spotlighted the integral role of climate finance as the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance approaches, with a particular focus on China's potential for assuming greater responsibility. The spotlight on China's stance underscores the shifting landscape of global climate diplomacy, as the role of both the US and now China takes center stage in shaping the future of climate talks. This shift comes in the wake of significant diplomatic changes, including the US stepping back and China's increased involvement in climate negotiations. These diplomatic shifts carry substantial implications for the trajectory of global climate efforts, reflecting a pivotal moment in climate action and international cooperation.