COP Works

“Paris was a time of international agreement; Belém is the time of implementation.”

André Correa do Lago, COP30 President

‍Following COP30 in Belem, questions abound on the value, achievements and merits of the COP process. How did we get here, what does it mean and what next? COP stands for Conference of the Parties and COP30 is the latest in the annual series of conferences held under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Following the UK Presidency of COP26 and the Glasgow Climate Pact, which kept alive the target of limiting global temperature rise by 1.5 degrees C; COP 27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, focussed on ‘Delivering for People and the Planet and concluded with an historic decision to establish and progress a Loss and Damage fund. With a record 85,000 participants, COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, progressed accountability through the ‘Global Stocktake’ on progress to address climate change under the Paris Agreement of 2015. Progress was shown to be too slow across all areas. Countries made a decision to accelerate action by 2030, including tripling renewable energy capacity globally by 2030 and transitioning away from fossil fuels (the UAE Consensus).  COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan focussed on finance, calling on developed countries to deliver at least $300 billion year to developing countries by 2035 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect lives and livelihoods from climate change impacts and finally closed the Paris Rulebook. There were high expectations for COP30 in Belem as the COP where ambition would be transformed into implementation.

Brazil set out three main objectives for COP30: to reinforce multilateralism and cooperation; to connect climate change to individuals and the economy; and to accelerate implementation. Held in Belem, close to the Amazon, it was seen by many as the ‘nature COP’. Priority initiatives included the launch by Brazil of the ‘Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) to encourage public private finance to stem the loss of tropical forests.

A uniting concept for COP30 was Brazil’s call for a ‘Global Mutirão’ for climate change, encouraging governments, civil society, and the private sector to take action for collective benefit.

“Mutirão is a word that means 'everyone's effort in the same direction.' In this effort, each person does what they can and what they know how to do, without necessarily having to coordinate with others.”

André Correa do Lago, COP30 President

Through ‘Global Mutirão’ the COP30 agenda aimed to translate the Global Stocktake into a concrete and accelerated action plan, to align efforts across six thematic areas, covering mitigation, adaptation and means of implementation:

• Transitioning Energy, Industry and Transport;

• Stewarding Forests, Oceans and Biodiversity;

• Transforming Agriculture and Food Systems;

• Building Resilience for Cities, Infrastructure and Water;

• Fostering Human and Social Development;

• Unleashing Enablers and Accelerators, including Finance, Technology and Capacity Building to underpin all other areas.

COP30 closed on 22 November 2025 making progress on some of the above but disappointing others on big issues, particularly with regard to ending fossil fuel use and halting deforestation. 119 countries representing 74% of global emissions submitted new national commitments through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These commitments showed some progress on reducing emissions and mobilizing sectoral action, but collectively deliver less than 15% of the emissions reductions that are required by 2035 in order to hold global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C. UN analysis has indicated that even with the latest NDCs and current policies, the world remains on course for 2.3-2.8 degrees C of warming, which could have devasting consequences.

Headlines on progress at COP30 include a call to triple climate finance for climate adaptation. Two new initiatives were launched - a Global Implementation Accelerator linked to the Global Stocktake agreements made in COP28 in Dubai and the “Belem Mission to 1.5” to enhance and accelerate the implementation of countries’ NDCs and national adaptation plans (NAPs) and to aim to keep 1.5 degrees C within reach. Both initiatives will report into COP31 in November 2026.

The Global Initiative on Jobs and Skills for the New Economy was launched and the Belem Declaration on Global Green Industrialisation, both highlighting that a low carbon future brings growth, investment and jobs. A Just Transition Mechanism was proposed to support countries in protecting workers and communities as they shift to clean energy. Trade policies were also recognised as interlinked with climate action and further work will be undertaken on the interface of trade and climate.

With the final text including new voluntary initiatives to accelerate national climate action, fossil fuel and deforestation roadmaps will be progressed outside of the formal COP process. On Adaptation a set of 59 indicators was adopted to track progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation, including water, agriculture, health, finance, capacity building and technology transfer. However, there were concerns that some of the indicators were unmeasurable and further discussions will take place to determine the process.

There was limited discussion on loss and damage, which have dominated previous COPs.  A Baku to Belem roadmap set out actions for governments, financial institutions and other players to finance climate mitigation and adaptation in developing countries.

The TFFF was agreed with a new fund, but the level of commitment and number of countries was lower than expected. There was greater recognition for involvement of indigenous peoples and communities in protecting ecosystems. There were a range of other commitments on nature and biodiversity and also on ocean conservation.

Overall, there were a variety of new pledges and action plans on a basis of a ‘coalition of the willing’ from countries, states, cities and the private sector. This more pragmatic approach means a greater focus on implementation, which should accelerate action.

“We knew this COP would take place in stormy political waters. Denial, division and geopolitics has dealt international cooperation some heavy blows this year.

But, friends, COP30 showed that climate cooperation is alive and kicking, keeping humanity in the fight for a livable planet, with a firm resolve to keep 1.5C within reach.

I’m not saying we’re winning the climate fight. But we are undeniably still in it, and we are fighting back. Here in Belem, nations chose solidarity, science, and economic common sense.”

Simon Stiell, the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC

COP31 will be hosted in Turkey, with Australia taking the role of President of Negotiations in the run up and at the meeting. Both countries will work alongside Brazil to prepare for COP31, leading together on reducing emissions and finding a path to phase out fossil fuels, accelerating financing including for adaptation, strengthening and reforming the financial architecture, and promoting governance and accountability.

The COP process is complicated and hard to follow. But it is making progress, driving change, and brings benefits to countries investing in the green transition. Ultimately it makes business sense, it makes economic sense and in the long term it makes political sense. There is momentum but whether it is far enough or fast enough is of concern.

Many are keen to criticise COPs, some saying the system should be abandoned. But right now we do not have a better global mechanism to address one of the most pressing challenges facing our world population, global economy and the planet on which we live.

The pragmatic reality is that we are all in this together; so whilst everyone will strive to protect their national interests, we need to keep talking and develop plans and collaboration where we can make a difference. COP works.

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