The Amazonian city of Belém, Brazil, is set to become the epicentre of international climate action in 2025, as it hosts COP30, one of the most consequential UN climate summits in recent memory.
Scheduled for November, this landmark event will cap off a year brimming with opportunities to tackle critical issues, from combating plastic pollution to financing the transition to a cleaner global economy.
1. Can the World Keep 1.5°C Alive?
The UN’s enduring mission to “keep 1.5 alive” – a reference to limiting global temperature increases to no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels – will take centre stage at COP30.
Failure to meet this goal could spell disaster, particularly for vulnerable nations like low-lying island states facing existential threats from rising seas.
Set to run from 10-21 November 2025, COP30 will prioritise mitigation efforts, with countries expected to present enhanced commitments to curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
This push stems from the Paris Agreement’s mandate for nations to “ratchet up” climate goals every five years, the last instance being at the Glasgow COP in 2021, delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Nature at the Heart of COP30
Hosting COP30 in the Amazon, a global environmental treasure, underscores the critical role of nature in combating the climate crisis. The rainforest acts as a vital carbon sink, absorbing vast amounts of CO2 that would otherwise contribute to global warming.
However, the Amazon faces severe threats from deforestation and illegal logging, highlighting the need for robust conservation strategies.
Biodiversity talks, resuming in Rome this February, will set the stage for continued UN efforts to safeguard rainforests and other ecosystems.
3. Financing Climate Action
Securing adequate funding for climate action remains a contentious issue.
Developing nations argue that wealthier countries should shoulder more of the financial burden, while developed economies insist that emerging giants like China, now the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter, contribute as well.
At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, nations agreed to triple annual climate finance for developing countries to $300 billion by 2035. While significant, this falls short of the $1.3 trillion experts estimate is required.
A pivotal Financing for Development summit in Spain next June aims to address these gaps, exploring mechanisms such as green taxation, carbon pricing, and subsidies.
4. Legal Frameworks for Climate Action
In December, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) took a historic step by examining States’ legal obligations on climate change.
Vanuatu, a Pacific island state particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, sought the court’s advisory opinion to clarify these responsibilities and guide future legal frameworks.
The ICJ’s deliberations involved 96 nations and 11 regional organisations, with an advisory opinion expected in several months. While non-binding, this decision is poised to shape international climate law significantly.
5. Fighting Plastic Pollution
The global battle against plastic pollution advanced during UN-led negotiations in Busan, South Korea, in late 2024.
Talks focused on crafting a binding international agreement addressing the entire lifecycle of plastics, including production, consumption, and disposal.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen emphasised the urgency of decisive action, urging nations to finalise a robust deal that tackles the issue head-on. The next round of negotiations will be crucial in determining the treaty’s scope and effectiveness.
As the world looks to Belém for COP30, 2025 promises to be a pivotal year for climate action, with opportunities to make meaningful strides towards a sustainable future.
From addressing financing gaps to advancing legal and policy frameworks, the stakes could not be higher.
