COP30: Let's keep old promises, not make new ones

Negotiations at the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) reached their midpoint on November 14, but countries are still arguing over many issues surrounding the conference's final agreement.

To prevent a row over the agenda from breaking out at the start of the conference, COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago kept contentious issues such as climate finance, national pledge gaps, trade and global greenhouse gas reduction targets aside to be dealt with separately.

The reason is because the host country Brazil said they want the COP30 conference to focus on fulfilling past promises, instead of continuing to make new promises and then arguing and going nowhere.

As such, the official agenda for COP30, which will see negotiators from 195 countries and territories meet, will focus on completing previous agreements, such as promoting assessment methods and supporting building resilience to extreme weather events and other consequences of global warming – known in COP jargon as “adaptation”.

In addition, several countries, including host Brazil, are also looking for a strong statement to promote countries' previous promise at COP28 to pursue a "transition away from fossil fuels".

However, the approach to those talks has left some worried about the conference's eventual outcome, with some suggesting the talks could offer a superficial response to an already dire climate crisis.

“If we continue on the current trajectory, there will be a very, very weak outcome, which would make this a catastrophic failure despite what is supposed to be a very important moment,” said Andrew Wilson, deputy secretary general for policy at the International Chamber of Commerce.

It is unclear whether the two-week conference will achieve its key goals and produce a strong enough statement against climate change before it ends on November 21.

COP30 launches global green industrialization initiative

With the support of 35 countries and international organizations, the Belém Declaration on Green Industrialization was launched on Friday, November 14, at the meeting of leaders at COP30.

The document outlines environmental, economic and social goals, aimed at promoting technological innovation and establishing a sustainable economic growth model.

knife — Leaders adopt the Belém Declaration on Green Industrialization. Photo: COP30

To achieve these goals, countries commit to joint efforts and actions to accelerate the energy transition, modernize industry and expand opportunities for developing countries in the green economy.

“Climate goals must go hand in hand with real economic transformation,” said Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin. “Green industry aims to promote industries and create jobs for the future, ensuring that all countries, especially those in the Global South, can lead and benefit from this new era of sustainable prosperity.”

Source: https://congluan.vn/cop30-hay-thuc-hien-cac-loi-hua-cu-thay-vi-dua-ra-nhung-loi-hua-moi-10317864.html