I think people's confusion between hundreds of millions and hundreds of billions is making for more "good news" headlines about #COP28 than might happen if the numbers were translated into more familiar terms.
As far as I can tell there's an estimated $400 billion needed every year in developing countries for coping with losses caused by the burning of fossil fuels in rich countries. At the COP, rich countries pledged a one-time commitment of $800 million.
To put that in everyday terms: say you (the global south) have an ongoing and worsening leak in your roof that I (the global north) caused by crashing my remote controlled helicopter toy into it. That leak costs you $400 each year to cope with.
I agree that I have a responsibility to address this problem. And so I make a one time pledge of 80 cents. And, I don't give you the 80 cents today, I promise that I will eventually give you 80 cents.
And I expect you to clap for me. And I expect good press. And I imply that citizens who are distressed by this are alarmists or over-reacting, or naive. Rings a little different that way doesn't it?