COP30, held in Belem, Brazil from 10–21 November 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the global climate agenda. Dubbed the “COP of Implementation and Delivery on Promises,” the summit focuses on turning climate ambitions into tangible action, ensuring accountability, and addressing climate justice and funding gaps. With global temperatures already rising more than 1.6°C since the Paris Agreement, the urgency to act has never been greater.
Financing Climate Action
A central theme of Week 1 was the Baku to Belem Roadmap, an ambitious plan to raise $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for climate action, particularly in developing countries. Innovative approaches—such as fiscal reforms, polluter-pays levies, and converting public debt into climate investments—aim to close the climate finance gap, with an initial target of $300 billion per year.
Alongside finance, the conference emphasised accountability and transparency through improved tracking systems. Updates to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) were also in focus, with over 100 nations submitting third-generation NDCs (NDC 3.0) targeting a 12% reduction in emissions from 2019 levels by 2035. The next decade is recognised as critical for translating these ambitions into actionable policies, supported by both domestic reforms and international cooperation.
Nature-Based Solutions and Ecosystem Protection
Given the summit’s location near the Amazon, preserving ecosystems was a major focus. Discussions highlighted forest conservation, biodiversity protection, and restoration programs. Brazil’s Tropical Forests Forever Facility aims to raise $125 billion to protect critical carbon sinks, while the Mangrove Catalytic Facility supports local and Indigenous communities in mangrove restoration and capacity building.
Equity and Social Justice in Climate Action
COP30 also placed social justice and equity at the heart of climate cooperation. The proposed Belém Action Mechanism (BAM) seeks to ensure that the Global South, Indigenous peoples, and local communities are included in decision-making and funded for community-led initiatives.
Multilateral development banks pledged to increase climate financing from $75 billion in 2023 to $120 billion by 2030, with an additional $65 billion expected from private sources. Harmonised reporting frameworks were proposed to enhance transparency and credibility in climate finance.
Information Integrity and Misinformation
Delegates also addressed the threat of climate misinformation, adopting a formal declaration to safeguard the integrity of climate communication. Transparent, credible information is recognised as essential for public engagement, effective policy, and successful climate action.
Looking Ahead
The second week of COP30 will tackle critical issues such as fossil fuel phase-out timelines and carbon market rules. The challenge will be linking ambition with measurable accountability.
In conclusion, COP30 in Belem has demonstrated a clear shift from rhetoric to action. With increased climate finance, nature-based solutions, a focus on social equity, and measurable commitments, the summit has set a precedent for inclusive and decisive climate action. Brazil’s leadership, coupled with active participation from youth and Indigenous peoples, signals a collaborative and determined path forward in addressing the climate crisis.
