COP30 began in Belém, Brazil, in early November amid a tense global context, where international cooperation and climate priorities seem not to be directly aligned. Leaders arrived at the event balancing expectations and frustrations accumulated after years of unfulfilled promises. Faced with this climate of uncertainty, the conference raised a question: will it be possible to move forward even with major powers disagreeing about the future of the planet?
How COP30 attempts to move forward despite current geopolitical disputes
The start of COP30 also brought with it classic global tensions that apparently were not left out of the event in Belém. Some commonly addressed topics, such as climate finance, energy transition, and historical responsibilities, are subjects of debate that have dragged on for years without a major consensus.
The absence of the United States, which is naturally and traditionally one of the key nations for negotiations, increased the feeling of an essential political absence. However, even with this notable absence, the countries present are trying to transform this scenario into an opportunity, highlighting smaller but potentially faster initiatives, such as forest protection projects and regional actions.
According to the UN Executive Secretary, the immediate objective of the event is to ensure its diplomatic nature, preventing it from turning into a diplomatic battleground. In his speech, he urged countries to “fight the climate crisis, not each other”.
COP30 boosts dialogue on climate finance and urgent priorities
Among the most sensitive topics of the conference, we can highlight the issue of financing for mitigation and adaptation, which is usually a constant point of friction between developed and developing countries. After the Baku agreement, which established a new global financing target, the expectation was for concrete progress in Belém. But reality did not follow the fears: many previous commitments remain without clear implementation, and some of the most vulnerable countries say they are tired of waiting for promises to turn into tangible actions.
At the same time, recent reports show that planned emissions cuts through 2035 remain far from what is needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The contrast between targets and results maintains a sense of urgency. Nevertheless, European and Latin American delegations insist that COP30 could be the moment to strengthen commitments to a gradual phase-out of fossil fuels.
Indigenous peoples, the Amazon rainforest, and science reinforce the warning about growing impacts
The Amazon gained prominence at the conference as a direct protagonist in the discussions. Several indigenous leaders traveled long distances to demand an active voice in decision-making and to denounce constant and ever-increasing pressures from activities that invade their territories, such as mining, deforestation, and climate change.
Meanwhile, scientists from dozens of institutions published a stark warning about the rapid collapse of glaciers. They warn that the world is “on the brink of climate stability” and that political disputes must be set aside to deal with increasingly significant and ever-present environmental risks.
Climate cooperation amid persistent global instability
COP30 began within an unstable context of political instability and growing challenges, which, to some extent, hinder the quality of the negotiations addressed at the event, but it also brought with it opportunities for cooperation that could redefine the global pace of climate action.
The success of the event in Belém will depend on the ability of countries to prioritize climate issues, even for the human future on the planet, and to set aside their differences. Which, when put into perspective, is about guaranteeing a habitable, sustainable, and accessible future for all nations. In the end, what is at stake goes beyond diplomatic agreements: it is about the ability to guarantee a habitable future for all populations. And this is a decision that can no longer wait.