As global representatives converge on Brazil for the UN climate summit near the Amazon River, pivotal discussions are set to unfold. The COP30 conference in Belém will focus on pressing climate issues, including tracking adaptation progress and ensuring a global “just transition.”
The event will address significant topics such as nations’ new climate commitments and the ambitious goal of increasing international climate finance to $1.3 trillion. While these matters are outside formal negotiations, they are expected to shape much of the discourse at COP30.
Carbon Brief has meticulously examined nearly 100 UN submissions to track the positions of various parties on key negotiation topics at the summit, presented in an interactive table below. The table’s columns categorize countries and UN negotiating blocs, debate topics, and specific issues within those topics, along with the parties’ stances, ranging from “priority” to “oppose.”
This table is a dynamic resource that will be updated throughout COP30. Contributions to the table can be made by contacting [email protected].
For explanations of the broader issues and terminology prevalent in the talks, see below the interactive table.
Adaptation
During COP28 in 2023, a framework for the “global goal on adaptation” was established, originally a part of the Paris Agreement. The following years saw the development of measurable “indicators” for tracking adaptation progress, culminating in a final list of 100 expected to be adopted at COP30.
Initially, over 5,000 potential indicators were proposed. Experts have since refined this to approximately 500 followed by a further reduction to 100 proposed indicators for COP30. These indicators must be precise for accurate measurement and adaptable to different adaptation practices.
Beyond these indicators, there is ongoing debate about the “Baku Adaptation Roadmap,” “transformational adaptation,” and adaptation finance. For detailed information, consult the Carbon Brief Q&A on adaptation indicators.
Climate Finance
Climate finance, crucial for supporting climate action in developing nations, is a key topic at COP30. While formal negotiations on climate finance are less prominent this time, the “Baku to Belém roadmap to $1.3tn” is expected to influence discussions.
Mandated last year, this roadmap arose from developing countries’ dissatisfaction with the NCQG’s target of at least $300bn annually by 2035, which was deemed insufficient.
Thirty-six submissions have been made to the consultation process for the roadmap, reflecting broader positions on climate finance.
Common themes include developing countries’ calls for more grant-based finance and developed countries’ emphasis on the private sector’s role.
Just Transition and Global Stocktake
COP30 highlights two other priority areas: the “just transition work programme” (JTWG) and the dialogue on implementing the first “global stocktake” outcome.
The JTWG addresses supporting those impacted by the low-carbon transition, while the stocktake dialogue follows up on COP28’s outcomes, including renewable energy capacity expansion and fossil fuel reduction.
There are differing views on these discussions’ scope. Developing countries seek a comprehensive transition involving community impacts and financial support, whereas developed countries focus on labor and sharing “best practice” transition management.
Large developing nations advocate focusing on climate finance, while others emphasize climate ambition, particularly moving away from fossil fuels.
By COP30’s start, nations are expected to have submitted their new climate plans under the Paris Agreement. Only about one-third have submitted 2035 pledges, covering roughly half of global emissions, setting the stage for the discussions in Belém.
COP Reforms
A decade after the Paris Agreement, experts have called for various reforms to the COP process. Some proposals, such as introducing majority voting, have emerged from outside the COP framework.
Brazil’s COP30 presidency has incorporated these discussions into formal negotiations under “arrangements for intergovernmental meetings” (AIM), providing a platform for countries to propose improvements in COP operations.
Suggestions under AIM include streamlining the COP process by reducing agenda items, multi-year planning, and limiting new issues. Other ideas involve capping summit participants and formalizing the COP “action agenda.”
For a deeper dive into the evolving discussions at COP30 and historical perspectives from previous summits, visit the interactive tables from COP26, COP27, COP28, and COP29.
Original Story at www.carbonbrief.org