Background and Significance
In 2025, a significant milestone will be reached as it marks a decade since the signing of the Paris Agreement, the primary international treaty where global efforts are committed to tackling climate change and limiting global temperature rise between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
COP30 in Belém, Brazil
From November 10 to 21, global leaders and negotiators will gather at COP30 in Belém, the heart of Brazil’s Amazon region, to further shape a series of agreements addressing the major challenge of our time.
Context and Challenges
With years of extensive negotiations, expectations around these global summits have become more moderate. A year before the Republican Party’s victory in the U.S. elections, both presidency and Congress, along with a federal agenda in the U.S. characterized by support for fossil fuel deployment and environmental deregulation, cast a shadow over the proceedings.
Given the imminent risk of surpassing the 1.5-degree global temperature increase limit, COP30 will focus on climate change adaptation. The aim is to compile indicators defining priority areas for adaptation and facilitate financial flows towards this topic, which have stagnated for a decade.
Brazil’s Initiatives
As the host country, Brazil has promoted a $12.5 billion fund for tropical forest-rich countries to preserve their forest resources. Brazil has pledged at least $1 billion and sought partner countries to initiate the fund with a minimum of $2.5 billion, followed by private capital infusion.
European Union’s Commitment
EU leaders have agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. This significant progress, however, has not been without discussions among member countries, allowing up to 5% of this goal to be covered by carbon credits purchased from third-party countries demonstrating emission reductions.
Mexico’s Contribution
Mexico arrives at COP30 with an updated version of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), introducing new climate commitments. The main advance is Mexico’s first-ever cap on greenhouse gas emissions across all economic sectors by 2035. Although there’s greater willingness in the current administration to push the climate and sustainability agenda, challenges remain regarding fossil fuel promotion and reduced federal budget for the environmental sector.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is COP30? COP30 is the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), taking place in Belém, Brazil, in 2025.
- Why is COP30 significant? It marks a decade since the Paris Agreement’s signing, with global efforts committed to limiting temperature rise and adapting to climate change impacts.
- What are Brazil’s initiatives at COP30? Brazil proposes a $12.5 billion fund to preserve tropical forest resources, with a commitment of at least $1 billion and aims to gather $2.5 billion from partner countries.
- What are the European Union’s climate goals? The EU aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, allowing up to 5% of this goal to be covered by carbon credits from third-party countries.
- What are Mexico’s climate commitments at COP30? Mexico has set a cap on greenhouse gas emissions across all economic sectors by 2035, demonstrating greater willingness to advance the climate and sustainability agenda.
