Our Reflections On Cop30 Climate Strategies

COP30 left people feeling conflicted. Many are disappointed by the failure to secure clear language around fossil fuel phase-out, establish a tangible plan to protect biodiversity, and deliver commitments for adaptation funding. The pace of progress also remains too slow for communities already experiencing severe climate impacts, a reality brought into sharp focus by the voices of Indigenous leaders attending this conference in the heart of... These concerns are valid, and they were widely felt throughout the conference. Despite these challenges and the frustrations voiced throughout the negotiations, there were several developments that point to deeper shifts in global climate policy. They also touch on areas that Climate Strategies has been pursuing over the last twenty years: advancing climate and trade integration, supporting fossil fuel transitions, and embedding justice and equity at the centre of...

1. The Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade (IFCCT) The global trade system is a powerful tool for tackling the climate crisis. In recent years, we have seen a proliferation of Trade-Related Climate Measures (TrCMs)—such as the EU CBAM. These policies signal the climate ambition of many nations, but they have far-reaching consequences, particularly for developing countries. By centring cooperation, countries could create mutually beneficial and justice-centered TrCMs— bolstering joint climate action and delivering sustainable development.

<img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-9121 aligncenter" src="https://theclimateregistry.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/P2A6708-640x427.jpg.webp" alt="" width="640" height="427" srcset="https://theclimateregistry.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/P2A6708-640x427.jpg.webp 640w,https://theclimateregistry.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/P2A6708-1440x960.jpg.webp 1440w,https://theclimateregistry.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/P2A6708-768x512.jpg.webp 768w,https://theclimateregistry.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/P2A6708-1536x1024.jpg.webp 1536w,https://theclimateregistry.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/P2A6708-scaled.jpg.webp 2048w,https://theclimateregistry.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/P2A6708-600x400.jpg.webp 600w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /> By: Ignacio Fernandez, Senior Policy Advisor Amid unprecedented expectations and a rapidly shrinking window to keep global warming below an additional 1.5°C, COP30 in Belém marked a pivotal moment for global climate action. While formal negotiations struggled to bridge political divides–especially on phasing out fossil fuels–countries, subnational governments, businesses, and civil society delivered an impressive array of initiatives across the Blue Zone. From major breakthroughs in adaptation finance to new sectoral commitments and innovative transition partnerships, the conference emphasized both the urgency and the opportunity of this decade. At COP30, The Climate Registry (TCR) led a delegation of over 50 climate leaders and hosted 26 events with partners in the US States’ Action on Climate (USA Climate) Pavilion.

Subnational, corporate, and NGO representatives highlighted the vital leadership of U.S. states and public-private sector partnerships in driving transparent, accountable climate action grounded in strong carbon disclosure and community-centered solutions. However, the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands announced they will co-host the First International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels in April 2026. The event will convene a broad intergovernmental, multisectoral platform to identify legal, economic, and social pathways necessary for the global phase-out of fossil fuels. The lack of significant actionable items from the end of COP30 shows that the world remains divided on how to address the critical issue of climate change. Experts from across the University of Pennsylvania and our extended network—some recently returned from Belém—have shared their perspectives on the results of COP30 and what may be in store for the future of international...

Susan Binaz is Perry World House’s Schlager visiting fellow and the former principal deputy special envoy for climate at the U.S. Department of State. I had anticipated an unusual COP in Belém, given, among other things, the lack of a clear theme, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) ambition gap hanging in the air, and no official U.S. presence. However, even beyond the heat, humidity, and fire inside the venue, this COP was more unusual than expected. Given the geopolitics this year, my litmus test for success had been somewhat modest:

The second element was not realized. Here’s hoping the shared COP31 does better. The 2025 UN climate talks wrapped on Saturday, Nov. 22 after negotiations pushed into overtime. The resulting decision secured some important wins, both inside and outside the negotiations. But it omitted some of the big-ticket items many hoped to see.

With efforts to halt temperature rise severely off track and climate disasters becoming ever-more destructive, the summit (COP30) aimed to establish clear pathways to deliver past pledges and put the world on a safer... A key question was how countries would address lagging ambition in their new climate commitments (NDCs). Hopes that countries would commit to roadmaps to end fossil fuel use and halt deforestation were ultimately dashed after opposition from petrostates. The final decision only included new voluntary initiatives to accelerate national climate action, though the Brazilian Presidency intends to move forward with fossil fuel and deforestation roadmaps outside of the formal COP talks. Building resilience to climate impacts took center stage, with COP30 securing a new target to triple finance for climate adaptation. The COP also laid out practical solutions to increase finance for the low-carbon transition.

In an era of trade wars and tariffs, negotiators also agreed for the first time to hold discussions on how trade policies can help — or hinder — climate action. Against the backdrop of the Amazon, nature also saw advances, including a new fund for tropical forest conservation. Indigenous Peoples and other local communities were recognized like never before. And outside the formal negotiations, the summit saw a raft of new pledges and action plans from cities, states, countries and the private sector. It is clear that we are moving from negotiations to implementation, and from wrangling over what to do to how to do it. These victories matter.

It shows that international cooperation can still deliver, despite deepening divides on climate action and a difficult geopolitical context. The Pressure Cooker of Global Talks (Image Credits: Flickr) Belém, Brazil – In the sweltering heat of the Amazon region, negotiators wrapped up two intense weeks of talks that left the world buzzing with a mix of hope and hard questions. Picture this: world leaders from over 190 countries crammed into a city pulsing with rainforest energy, all racing against a ticking climate clock. Reports leading up to COP30 painted a grim picture, with global warming still barreling toward 2.3 degrees Celsius even after fresh national plans. Yet, the summit kicked off with bold calls from UN chief António Guterres for slashing emissions and unlocking trillions in finance for vulnerable nations.

Frustrations boiled over early, especially from small island states demanding a dedicated agenda spot to track progress toward 1.5 degrees. Instead of a full overhaul, talks pivoted to informal consultations, blending hot-button issues like ambition and adaptation. It felt like a high-wire act, balancing urgency with diplomacy. Still, these early tensions set the stage for compromises that, while not perfect, nudged the needle forward. It culminated in 195 Parties approving the Belém Package, which include agreements on just transition, adaptation finance, trade, gender, and technology. COP30 President, André Corrêa do Lago remarked the conference was to be remembered as a “beginning of a decade of turning the game”.

Brazil spearheaded an unprecedented global dialogue on the future of fossil fuels. Although consensus was not reached, the Brazilian Presidency released the final “global mutirão” (meaning “collective efforts”). The final statement omitted any direct reference to fossil fuels, prompting concern from many nations, but did include strong warnings on the cost of inaction. During the final negotiation session over 80 countries demanded a specific plan on the move away from fossil fuels, however more than 80 countries opposed this, leading to the Brazilian Presidency announcing its own... UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, during the closing plenaries on Saturday said: “For two weeks each year, COP brings climate to the top of the agenda. As we leave here, our job is to keep it there for another fifty”.

The next phase will see countries shifting from ambition into delivery. Key priorities are to activate the Baku–Belém Roadmap for finance and adaptation, mobilize private-sector investment in line with green climate goals and launch the Global Implementation Accelerator and Belém Mission to 1.5°C to drive... Turkey is set to physically host COP31 in November 2026, while Australia will take on the role of President of Negotiations, with ownership of the negotiations agenda. Author: Obroma Agumagu, PhD, Department of Environment and Geography Returning from COP30 in Belém, Brazil, I am filled with a renewed sense of purpose and urgency. Given the person's pass for the second week, 17th-21st November, by the University of York at this historic conference was both an honour and a responsibility, especially at a moment when the world faces...

COP30 was not just another milestone in the UN climate negotiations. Held at the heart of the Amazon, and coinciding with the halfway point to 2030, it brought into sharp focus two truths: Many of the key outcomes of COP30 are centred on accelerating implementation. Countries agreed on strengthened adaptation targets, clearer pathways for climate finance delivery, and a renewed commitment to phasing out fossil fuel dependence in line with IPCC science. For me, three outcomes resonated especially strongly: Researchers from across the University of Oxford were on the ground at COP30 in Belém, taking part in side events, presenting new research, and working with partners to support the negotiations and inform the...

Read on for perspectives from Oxford experts. Thomas Hale, Professor in Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, said that conclusion of COP30 in Belém saw limited progress in efforts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions but, in a year... In a year of worsening climate impacts and geopolitical conflict, COP30 was both absolutely necessary and completely insufficient. The fact that every country in the world—minus one—could reaffirm their commitment to act on climate change is powerful and real, even if their action remains insufficient. Professor Thomas Hale, Blavatnik School of Government ‘In a year of worsening climate impacts and geopolitical conflict, COP30 was both absolutely necessary and completely insufficient.

The fact that every country in the world—minus one—could reaffirm their commitment to act on climate change is powerful and real, even if their action remains insufficient.

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