By Janet Ekstract, NEW YORK – The COP30 Summit 2025 has no shortage of movers and shakers who realize climate urgency and the necessity to meet United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is especially relevant on the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement and the 80th anniversary of the U.N. As Prince William said at the opening of COP30: “The world is at a pivotal moment in history that demands courage, cooperation and unwavering commitment to our planet’s future a future that belongs not to us, but our children and grandchildren.” Prince William lauded Brazil for “rapidly becoming a leader in sustainable energy and rare earths,” adding “a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we lead with vision and courage.” Echoing that vision is the President of the General Assembly H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, speaking at the Third High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Finance. As Baerbock emphasized: “Just as the UN Charter remains our north star for multilateralism, and the same counts for the Paris Agreement which remains our north star for climate action.” As Baerbock reiterated, “To break the vicious cycle, we have to deliver on the climate goals,” adding that “combatting the climate crisis is not a “nice to have.” Baerbock said, “It is the foundation of peace, prosperity, and security – and in the interest of all states and stakeholders, including the private sector.”
Climate finance is a major focus of the drive to act on climate goals, as Climate Politics Specialist of Greenpeace Brazil Anna Carcamo said: “This COP has been called the COP of Implementation and the COP of truth. To live up to those names, it must deliver climate finance that is real, accessible, and fair. Developed countries must provide public climate finance to developing nations to put climate action into practice – from NDCs and adaptation measures to the response to loss and damage. For millions, it is not a question of opportunity – it is a question of survival. Climate finance is, above all, a matter of climate justice.”
Meanwhile, on November 15, Greenpeace urged climate negotiators to accelerate and implement climate and forest promises with a guarantee they agree on an action plan to end deforestation and meet the 1.5 C climate temperature goal. The Deputy Program Director of Greenpeace International Jasper Inventor said: “At this COP, we are still hoping it will deliver a global response plan to bridge the 1.5C ambition gap and that needs to involve a roadmap, or a plan, to phase out fossil fuels, an action plan to end deforestation and much needed climate finance. We’ve seen progress in week one, but we need an outcome that leads to change and nost just another roadmap to nowhere.” At issue is a glaring lack of continued commitment to combat climate change from a majority of nations. The UNFCCC’s updated annual report on this, reveals a lack of ambition, projecting a mere 12% reduction in emissions by 2035. This goal falls short of the 60% global reduction required. As Inventor highlighted: ““We must ensure COP30 delivers a clear plan to phase out fossil fuels and one that fast-tracks renewables. But it must also make polluters pay for climate damages and a just transition, with clear timelines and an immediate fossil-fuel decline to keep the 1.5°C limit alive. COP30 must deliver an outcome that accelerates real action.”
Climate finance is a major focus of the drive to act on climate goals, as Climate Politics Specialist of Greenpeace Brazil Anna Carcamo stressed. As Carcamo said: “This COP has been called the COP of Implementation and the COP of truth. To live up to those names, it must deliver climate finance that is real, accessible, and fair. Developed countries must provide public climate finance to developing nations to put climate action into practice – from NDCs and adaptation measures to the response to loss and damage. For millions, it is not a question of opportunity – it is a question of survival. Climate finance is, above all, a matter of climate justice.”
