COP30 climate talks enter decisive phase

After the first working week of COP30, most of the key contents have not yet reached consensus, forcing the parties to bring many issues to a high level in the second week.

First week work results

The first week of COP30 ended with the closing session of the 63rd Meeting of the Subsidiary Bodies. Most of the agenda items have not yet reached consensus at the technical level. As such, these issues will continue to be pushed to the high level for negotiation in the second week of COP30. Some of the outstanding issues include:

First is the issue of adaptation. This is considered an important foundation but has not been properly consolidated. The common goal is to fully transfer the Adaptation Fund to the Paris Agreement. However, there are still many differences in the views of member countries on the governance structure and the contents related to the financial mobilization process. This shows that, although the spirit of cooperation is there, the specific operating mechanism still needs to be discussed in depth. Similarly, the Global Adaptation Goal (GGA) has not reached consensus on the measurement indicators and implementation methods - showing that the world needs to balance the ambition with the actual capacity of countries.

The first working week of COP30 ended but most of the key contents still did not reach consensus, forcing the parties to bring many issues to a high level in the second week. Photo: COP30 Brazil.

Second, regarding market and non-market mechanisms, it requires perseverance and clarity on the method. Article 6.4, which is expected to be an important tool to promote emission reduction through the international carbon market, is still facing deep debates on project transition and transparency of contribution reporting. Regarding Article 6.8, although there is a draft, there is still a lack of consensus on core technical elements. These are contents that require calmness and openness from all sides to ensure feasibility when put into actual operation.

Next, on the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund - this is an urgent issue but commitments have been limited. Despite the methodological progress under the Warsaw Mechanism, agreement has not yet been reached on the central issue - the scaling up of new, additional and non-refundable financing. To date, only two additional commitments have been made, totalling over €21 million - a modest amount compared to the actual needs of vulnerable countries. This raises the urgent need for burden-sharing, based on the principles of equity and proportional capacity.

On just transition, the proposals from the G77/China and the EU are presenting two different approaches, which need to be reconciled through constructive dialogue.

Another notable issue is the Global Assessment and the UAE Dialogue. With the Global Assessment, parties are required to strengthen coordination and narrow differences in how to demonstrate emissions reduction efforts and implement climate finance targets, especially those related to the future of fossil fuels. Meanwhile, the UAE Dialogue is still struggling to clearly define the scope and implementation roadmap. To achieve the expected results, parties need to flexibly adjust their positions, based on scientific basis, national conditions and the spirit of international cooperation.

The Vietnamese delegation, with representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil; the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment , Finance; and representatives of the Youth Network for Climate Action, attended the talks during the week, actively monitored, and exchanged with groups of countries of which Vietnam is a member about the Vietnamese delegation's views on the negotiation topics of the Conference.

Ambassador Bui Van Nghi, Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil (left) and Mr. Le Ngoc Tuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Climate Change (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment). Photo: Chu Huong.

How it works in the second week

During the plenary session on the evening of November 15 (local time), the COP30 President outlined the working method for the second week, based on three levels: technical issues with remaining work, and consideration of political issues. The COP30 President appointed co-facilitators to support the consideration of 15 issues, with the task of completing the negotiation contents by November 18.

The COP30 President also announced the pairs of ministers who will lead discussions around seven topics: Adaptation and the Global Adaptation Goals (GGA); Finance and Emission Reduction; Just Transition; Technology; Measuring Global Efforts; Gender and Climate Change.

The participants will enter the second working week with a large amount of work remaining. Accordingly, the responsibility of the Vietnamese negotiating delegation is to contribute positively, proactively, flexibly, and make concessions when necessary, based on the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) and promote the implementation of global climate commitments in a fair and effective manner.

Without concrete progress next week, the conference is unlikely to produce results strong enough to tackle the climate emergency the world is facing.

To date, the parties have not yet decided on the host country for COP31. Two potential candidates, Türkiye and Australia, are still campaigning for the right to host COP31. Meanwhile, the African Negotiators Group has issued a call for support for Ethiopia to host COP32.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/dam-phan-khi-hau-cop30-buoc-vao-giai-doan-quyet-dinh-d784608.html