Last week, Belém (Brazil) was the epicentre of the global fight against climate change. COP30, the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, brought together 195 countries at a critical moment: the world has now exceeded the 1.5 °C threshold above pre-industrial levels for the first time, and scientists warn that overshoot —a temporary breach of that limit— is inevitable. Even so, every tenth of a degree counts, and the urgency of accelerating climate action is greater than ever.
Main advances: adaptation and finance
One of the most notable outcomes is the commitment to triple adaptation finance before 2035. The measure seeks to strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable communities against extreme events such as droughts, floods and hurricanes, which are already a reality. The gap is currently enormous: developing countries need some 310 billion dollars a year to adapt, but receive only a fraction of that amount.
To track progress, a set of 59 global adaptation indicators has been approved, which will make it possible to measure impact in key sectors such as water, health, ecosystems and infrastructure. This is an important milestone in moving from declarations to effective implementation.
Climate justice and the energy transition
COP30 has also taken a step forward on climate justice with the creation of the Belém Action Mechanism (BAM), an instrument to guarantee a just energy transition. The aim is that the shift from fossil fuels to clean energy should leave neither workers nor vulnerable communities behind. The mechanism includes international cooperation, technical assistance and grant-based finance, with a strong focus on labour rights and indigenous participation.
In this respect, COP30 has been historic for the prominence of indigenous peoples. More than 900 accredited representatives defended the demarcation of territories and the protection of forests, recalling that they safeguard 80% of terrestrial biodiversity yet receive less than 1% of global climate funds.
The shadow of fossil fuels
Despite this progress, the major outstanding issue remains the reduction of fossil fuels. Although more than 80 countries called for a binding roadmap to phase out coal, oil and gas, the final text includes no legal commitment. The Brazilian presidency has announced that it will promote two voluntary roadmaps outside the formal UN framework: one to reverse deforestation and another to move towards the end of fossil fuels, but with no binding force.
This gap is worrying, because the science is clear: to keep warming below 2 °C and limit it to 1.5 °C, emissions must be cut by 60% before 2035. Current pledges would achieve a reduction of only 10%, which leaves us facing a scenario of irreversible risks for ecosystems such as the Amazon or coral reefs.
New initiatives to accelerate action
To counter the slow pace of implementation, the Global Implementation Accelerator and the Belém Mission to 1.5 °C have been launched, voluntary initiatives that seek to mobilise investment and support countries in rolling out their climate plans. It was also agreed to hold annual dialogues on unilateral trade measures, such as climate tariffs, to prevent them from becoming discriminatory.
In summary: COP30 has strengthened adaptation finance, created mechanisms for a just transition and given a greater voice to indigenous peoples. But without a firm commitment to phase out fossil fuels, the fight against climate change remains insufficient. At auma we share this view: sustainability is not an option, it is a responsibility. Every project is an opportunity to innovate and build a greener, more resilient planet. The time to act is now.