Context:

• The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30) was held from 10 to 21 November 2025 at the Hangar Convention Center in Belém, Brazil, marking the first time the event was organized in the Amazon region.

Key Points:

• Venue: Belém, Brazil (in the Amazon region)
• Host: Brazil; it was the first COP held in the Latin American region since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit
• Duration: 10 to 22 November 2025
• Symbolism of the venue: Belém is located at the gateway to the Amazon, the center of global biodiversity and one of the regions most affected by climate change.
• Objective: To take concrete steps to maintain the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C temperature rise limit, but geopolitical tensions (such as the influence of the U.S. Trump administration), financial demands by developing countries, and opposition from fossil-fuel-producing nations limited the success.
• Significance of the location: Belém sits at the entrance of the Amazon, which acts as a global carbon sink. However, before the event, the construction of an 8-mile-long four-lane "Freedom Highway" led to the cutting of 100,000 trees, drawing criticism from environmentalists.
• Participation: Representatives from around 200 countries, scientists, NGOs, and civil society groups participated. The absence of U.S. President Trump and his climate skepticism affected negotiations. The European Union (EU) submitted its NDC targeting a 66.25–72.5% reduction in emissions by 2035 (from 1990 levels).

Main Agenda and Key Issues:

• COP30’s agenda was based on six pillars:

Energy, industry and transport; forests, oceans and biodiversity; agriculture and food systems; cities, infrastructure and water; human and social development; and cross-cutting issues (e.g., finance and justice).

• It focused on the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, reviewing NDCs, progress on COP29 financial commitments, and the 1.5°C target.

Major Issues | Details | Expected Goals :

Major Outcomes and Achievements:

• The conference concluded on 22 November with the adoption of the “Belém Political Package.”

Positive Outcomes:

• A call to mobilize $1.3 trillion per year in climate finance for developing nations by 2035. Within this, a new tripled target of $300 billion/year, compared to the previous $100 billion.
• NDC Progress: Some countries (like the EU) submitted ambitious NDCs, but the global gap remains large—current plans fall 20–30 GtCO₂e short of the 1.5°C target.
• Forest conservation:

– Launch of the “Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)” to increase Amazon conservation funding.

– In the “Mamiruá Declaration,” 30 organizations agreed on an integrated biodiversity tracking framework.

• Side Deals: Brazil launched a voluntary fossil fuel roadmap initiative with over 80 countries. The Just Transition work program was advanced.

Negative Outcomes:

• Failure on fossil fuels: The final document did not include the term “fossil fuel.” Producer nations like Saudi Arabia blocked binding language. Opposition from EU, Colombia, Panama and Switzerland stalled the session.
• Financial gap: Only $120 billion/year was pledged, while needs are $360 billion/year. No decision on CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism).
• Adaptation indicators: A weak set was adopted, drawing criticism.

Future Directions and Recommendations:

• Turkey will host COP31, and Australia will serve as its President.
• Ethiopia will host COP32 in 2027.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

• Full Name: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
• Adoption: 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro
• Came into Force: 21 March 1994
• Secretariat: Bonn, Germany
• Membership: About 198 Parties

Major Documents/Agreements:

• UNFCCC (1992) – Original treaty
• Kyoto Protocol (1997, in force from 2005 to 2020)
• Paris Agreement (2015, in force from 2016) – Currently active

Important Dates:

• 1992 – Rio Earth Summit (UNFCCC adopted)
• 1997 – Kyoto Protocol
• 2015 – Paris Agreement
• 2025 – Deadline for NDC 3.0 and NCQG