What’s at stake as Brazil welcomes the COP30 climate change summit

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on France24 or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: COP30, the UN Climate Change Conference, will be hosted in Belém, Brazil from November 12–16, marking the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement
• While no single theme dominates the agenda, key issues include climate finance, forest protection, and the widening gap between countries’ climate pledges and the 1.5°C target
• Brazil’s government plans to use the Amazonian setting to rally global attention on deforestation and equity in climate action

🔭 The context: This year’s summit follows COP28’s modest commitment to “reduce” fossil fuel use and COP29’s headline promise of $300 billion per year for developing countries by 2035
• However, most countries have yet to submit updated climate plans (NDCs), and many of those submitted fall short
• Experts warn that without stronger action, the world remains on track for 2.6–2.8°C of warming—well above the Paris targets

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: COP30 could shape the future of global climate equity
• Discussions are expected to intensify around how to fund adaptation, mitigation, and loss-and-damage mechanisms in the Global South
• The proposed $125 billion “Tropical Forests Forever Facility” fund and the campaign to tax fossil fuel profits represent efforts to shift climate responsibility toward high-emitting sectors
• Meanwhile, forest loss continues to accelerate, with 8.1 million hectares lost in 2024 alone—6.7 million of them in primary tropical forests crucial for carbon storage and biodiversity

⏭️ What's next: Countries are under pressure to close the ambition gap by submitting credible new NDCs ahead of the summit
• Civil society groups are also pushing for COP30 to become a “COP of the people,” with increased participation from indigenous communities and the Global South
• Negotiations will focus on clarifying the $300 billion annual pledge made in Baku and potentially scaling it up to $1.3 trillion
• Expect debate over funding sources—including public taxation of fossil fuel profits and financial transaction levies

💬 One quote: “It's not about holding a COP for indigenous peoples, but a COP with them.” – Fanny Petitbon, France Director, 350.org

📈 One stat: In 2024 alone, 8.1 million hectares of forest were lost globally—including 6.7 million hectares of primary tropical forest

Explore carbon credit purchases, total emissions, and climate targets of thousands of companies on Data Hub™ — the first platform designed to help sustainability providers generate sales leads!

Click for more news covering the latest on public governance and climate change