Expectations from COP30 of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Source: The post “Expectations from COP30 of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)” has been created, based on “Expectations from COP30 of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)” published in “The Hindu” on 10 November 2025. Expectations from COP30 of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Environment

Context: The 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is being held in Belém, Brazil, marking a decade since the adoption of the Paris Agreement (2015). It is being termed the ‘Implementation COP’ as it is expected to transform climate commitments and pledges into concrete and actionable steps. The summit is taking place against the backdrop of rising global temperatures, record-breaking heat waves, worsening climate disasters, and delayed climate finance, which have widened the gap between global promises and actual implementation.

Significance of COP30

1. COP30 comes at a crucial juncture when the international community is expected to take decisive action to keep the temperature rise below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
2. Hosting the summit in Belém, at the edge of the Amazon rainforest, is both symbolic and strategic since the Amazon is a vital carbon sink storing 150–200 billion tonnes of carbon and is now threatened by deforestation and land conversion.
3. The summit provides an opportunity to rebuild global trust by strengthening commitments on climate finance, equity, and inclusion between developed and developing nations.
4. It aims to ensure that climate action is based on the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR), and inclusive participation.

Key Expectations from COP30

1. Implementation of Climate Commitments: COP30 is expected to move beyond rhetoric and deliver on the commitments made under the Paris Agreement, focusing on measurable progress through the Global Stocktake (GST), which reviews countries’ efforts every five years.
2. Guidance by the Global Stocktake (GST): The GST will guide countries to identify policy and financing gaps, align new targets with scientific evidence, and draft updated plans for mitigation, adaptation, and implementation.
3. Focus on Six Thematic Areas: The summit will focus on six major areas— Energy, industry, and transport transitions, Stewardship of forests, oceans, and biodiversity, Transformation of food systems, Urban resilience and infrastructure adaptation, Sustainable water management and Human and social development linked to climate resilience.
4. Mobilisation of Climate Finance: The Baku-to-Belém Roadmap, jointly led by Azerbaijan and Brazil, aims to scale up finance for developing nations to $1.3 trillion per year by 2035, based on the $300 billion New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) finalised at COP29.
5. Operationalising the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA): COP30 is expected to finalise the long-pending GGA framework, setting quantifiable adaptation targets, metrics for resilience, and financing mechanisms.
6. Addressing the Finance Gap: The Loss and Damage Fund, created at COP28, has received less than $1 billion against annual needs of hundreds of billions. COP30 must establish clear reporting, financing, and accountability mechanisms to restore confidence among developing nations.
7. Ensuring a Just Transition: COP30 must promote equitable low-carbon transitions, ensuring that economic growth, livelihoods, and energy access in developing nations are not compromised.
8. Strengthening Technology and Capacity Building: Access to affordable clean technology and capacity-building initiatives will be crucial to help developing countries achieve low-carbon growth despite intellectual property barriers and high costs.
9. Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Countries are expected to submit updated and ambitious NDCs for 2035, but as of now, only 19% of global emissions are covered by submitted plans. COP30 will push for greater ambition and accountability.
10. Integration of Climate and Biodiversity Goals: Brazil will champion the “Tropical Forest Forever Facility”, which seeks to compensate over 70 tropical forest countries for their conservation efforts, linking climate finance directly to forest and biodiversity protection.
11. Promoting Inclusion and Participation: COP30 must ensure that low-income nations, indigenous communities, and civil society groups have fair representation, despite the logistical and financial challenges posed by hosting the summit in Belém.

Major Challenges

1. Inadequate Climate Finance: Current commitments, even under the NCQG, fall far short of the trillions required annually for meaningful mitigation and adaptation in developing nations.
2. Dilution of the CBDR Principle: The term “all actors” used in financing includes private investors, philanthropies, and developing countries themselves, which dilutes historical responsibility of developed nations.
3. Technology Barriers: Developing nations struggle with limited access to clean technology due to patent restrictions, high costs, and limited cooperation from developed countries.
4. Low Ambition and Delayed Implementation:
    Many nations have failed to submit updated NDCs, and global emissions continue to rise, making the 1.5°C goal increasingly unattainable.
5. Underfunded Loss and Damage Mechanism: The Loss and Damage Fund remains grossly underfinanced, leaving vulnerable countries without adequate support to cope with extreme climate events.
6. Logistical and Inclusivity Concerns: Hosting COP30 in Belém has resulted in skyrocketing accommodation costs, restricting participation from smaller delegations and undermining inclusivity.
7. Political Divergence: Differences between the Global North and South persist over emission responsibilities, finance distribution, and technology sharing.

Way Forward

1. Scale Up and Streamline Climate Finance: Developed nations must ensure predictable and transparent funding exceeding $1.3 trillion annually with clear accountability mechanisms.
2. Finalise and Implement the Global Goal on Adaptation: The GGA should include quantifiable regional targets, adaptation finance, and measurable resilience indicators.
3. Ensure Technology Access and Collaboration: There should be North–South and South–South partnerships for affordable technology transfer, innovation, and capacity building.
4. Reinforce Climate Justice and CBDR: COP30 must reaffirm the principle that historically responsible nations should lead in financing and emission reductions.
5. Promote Just and Inclusive Transitions: Economic diversification, green skill development, and livelihood protection should accompany decarbonisation efforts.
6. Integrate Climate and Biodiversity Finance: Mechanisms like the Tropical Forest Forever Facility should be expanded to fund ecosystem restoration, agroforestry, and community conservation.
7. Enhance Transparency and Accountability: COP30 should strengthen Global Stocktake reporting systems to monitor real progress in finance, mitigation, and adaptation.
8. Empower Local and Indigenous Knowledge: Incorporating traditional resilience practices such as India’s water harvesting, seed conservation, and community forest management can enhance local adaptation.
9. Improve Inclusivity: The UNFCCC process should support participation of low-income and vulnerable countries through logistical and financial assistance.

Conclusion

COP30 represents a defining moment for global climate governance, aiming to transform the Paris Agreement’s vision into real-world results. The Amazonian setting underscores the urgency of protecting ecosystems while addressing emissions, equity, and finance gaps. For developing nations like India, COP30 is an opportunity to advocate climate justice, fair finance, and sustainable growth. The success of COP30 will depend on whether it can deliver a credible, inclusive, and implementable roadmap that aligns with science, strengthens equity, and ensures a sustainable and resilient future for all.

Question: What are the key expectations from COP30 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)? Discuss its significance, major focus areas, challenges, and the way forward.