Belém, Brazil
Following an intense overtime session that stretched the talks by a full day, the 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30) wrapped up in Belém, Brazil, with notable advancements in adaptation funding, mechanisms for a just transition, and gender-responsive climate strategies. However, the summit left over 88 countries disappointed as efforts to establish a concrete plan for phasing out fossil fuels fell short.
Delegates from nearly 200 nations endorsed a commitment to double adaptation finance by 2025 and triple it from the current $40 billion annually to $120 billion by 2035. On loss and damage, a key milestone was reached with the operationalization of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), including the launch of a call for funding proposals under the Barbados Implementation Modalities. This allows developing countries direct access to grants ranging from $5-20 million per project for 2025-2026, emphasizing country-led approaches to address climate impacts. A revamped Gender Action Plan was also adopted, strengthening inclusivity in climate policies.
The conference set an ambitious target of mobilizing $1.3 trillion in annual climate finance by 2035 and introduced two flagship initiatives: the Global Implementation Accelerator to fast-track emissions reductions and the Belém Mission to 1.5°C, aimed at aligning global efforts to limit warming. Yet, the lack of a fossil fuel phase-out timeline cast a shadow over these achievements.
In his final address, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell emphasized the resilience of international climate efforts amid geopolitical challenges. “COP30 has demonstrated that climate cooperation is very much alive, keeping us in the battle for a sustainable world,” Stiell stated. “We’re not claiming victory in the climate struggle, but we’re firmly still engaged.”
He spotlighted key successes: the tripling of adaptation support, the new just transition framework, and a shared affirmation that the move toward low-emission, resilient development is irreversible. Nonetheless, Stiell cautioned against rising disinformation and division. “This conference has begun addressing real-world issues—not ideally, not swiftly enough, but tangibly,” he added, calling on nations to embrace Brazil’s “mutirão” spirit of collective action moving forward.
The World Resources Institute (WRI) labeled the outcomes as “varied,” praising enhancements for forest conservation and community involvement while lamenting the shortfall on fossil fuels. “COP30 achieved critical progress in tripling adaptation funds, safeguarding global forests, and amplifying Indigenous perspectives unprecedentedly,” noted WRI President and CEO Ani Dasgupta. “However, the inability to forge a fossil fuel transition roadmap will leave many departing Belém disheartened.”
Dasgupta urged Brazil’s leadership to develop such a plan informally. “President Lula now bears the responsibility to make it internationally viable,” he said. WRI also commended the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, new collaborative platforms, and boosted funding for Indigenous land tenure.
Setbacks on Fossil Fuels and Adaptation Goals
Intense late-night negotiations failed to include explicit language on eliminating oil, gas, or coal, despite demands from vulnerable states and forward-thinking economies. “This represents a profound lapse in leadership,” remarked Harjeet Singh, Founding Director of the Satat Sampada Climate Foundation. “Over 80 nations sought accelerated fossil fuel cessation, but oil-dependent states prioritized their profits.”
Singh continued: “The fossil industry secured omission from the text, but they won’t silence our advocacy.” Petro-nations like Saudi Arabia defended their resource development rights, while Colombia and allies advocated for a fair phase-out, yielding only diluted wording.
Dr. A.K.M. Saiful Islam from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology highlighted: “The summit missed a robust pledge for fossil fuel elimination and a 1.5°C-aligned pathway, alongside inadequate grant-based aid for at-risk countries.”
COP30 also stumbled on finalizing indicators for the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). The approved set of 60 metrics covers finance, tech, capacity, and gender, but compromises diluted prior expert input. This could fragment execution, with revisions possible until 2027, potentially weakening oversight and future assessments.
The long-awaited National Adaptation Plan (NAP) review was endorsed, noting advancements and hurdles, but it offers scant guidance on expanding aid or linking adaptation to biodiversity.
Adaptation and Loss & Damage: Steps Forward Amid Criticism
The adaptation finance tripling by 2035 was hailed as progress, yet experts decried the delayed timeline. “This adaptation result dismisses communities already battling floods and fires,” Singh said. “A 2035 target overlooks today’s crises.”
For loss and damage, the FRLD was deemed operational, with its Barbados Modalities welcoming applications from December 15, 2025, for grants supporting national responses. The fund welcomes pledges totaling around $768 million as of late 2025, including recent additions from Iceland, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Spain, and Belgium’s Walloon Region. However, no fresh commitments emerged at COP30, and activists warn that without more grants, progress could halt.
“A framework alone can’t reconstruct lives,” Singh noted. “Empty structures won’t sustain families hit by failed harvests.”
Hafizul Islam, co-chair of the Warsaw International Mechanism Executive Committee, encouraged submissions: “Vulnerable nations like Bangladesh should craft solid, data-driven proposals for direct funding access in the coming years.”
Finance Targets: Bold Numbers, Fuzzy Obligations
The $1.3 trillion annual finance goal by 2035 underscores needs, but lacks enforceable duties for wealthy nations. “The Mutirão draft reveals a harsh reality: climate-impacted countries are burdened with loans for a problem they didn’t cause,” said M. Zakir Hossain Khan, CEO of Change Initiative.
“We applaud acknowledging finance scale and adaptation tripling, but rich nations are softening pledges into ambiguity.” Khan added that facilities like Belém and the FRLD hold promise “if supported by capital, accessibility, and mandates.”
Singh echoed: “By avoiding specific figures, the EU and others evade their ethical and legal duties.”
Scientific Concerns for 1.5°C
The Belém Mission assigns COP30 and COP31 leaders to report on boosting national plans at COP31, though without integration into UN processes. The Accelerator aims to hasten commitments, potentially paving the way for future fossil phase-outs.
Scientists remain wary. “Without firm fossil fuel commitments and pathways, 1.5°C is at risk,” Dr. Saiful Islam warned. “Grant aid for vulnerable states also fell short.”
Equity Wins: Gender Plan and Just Transition
COP30 advanced equity with the Gender Action Plan (GAP), mandating disaggregated data, analysis, and coordination across sectors. It recognizes intersecting vulnerabilities like race and disability, fostering inclusivity over the decade.
The Just Transition Mechanism, grounded in human rights, pledges labor protections, Indigenous safeguards, and cooperation. Praised as rights-focused, it lacks schedules, methods, and funding.
Looking Ahead
“COP30 brought landmark strides in just transitions, gender planning, and adaptation pledges, yet the fossil fuel evasion means it doesn’t meet the urgency for communities like ours,” said Bangladeshi youth leader Sohanur Rahman of YouthNet Global.
Manjeet Dhakal, LDC Support Team Head, viewed the Mutirão package positively: “It’s the core, embodying inclusion. It triples adaptation funds and covers key areas. Not perfect, but a trust-building advance. Implementation is next.”
COP31 heads to Turkey, with Australia handling negotiations and a pre-COP in the Pacific. Brazil vows to advance deforestation and fossil transition roadmaps, presenting at the G20 in Johannesburg.
As the U.S. retreats, others must lead. COP31 will spotlight Pacific solidarity, COP32 an LDC first in Ethiopia. Focus now: ramping national actions, especially from phase-out advocates.
