Conclusion of the 30th World Climate Change Conference – COP30
The 30th World Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, has concluded with agreements on a rainforest fund and adaptation to climate change. However, the countries were unable to agree on a phase-out of fossil fuels.
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At the World Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, it was “not yet possible to reach a binding decision on the process towards a fossil fuel phase-out roadmap for all”, said Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Carsten Schneider.
Photo: BMUKN/Annika Schulze
The new fund launched by Brazil to protect the rainforest is one of the positive results of the World Climate Change Conference in Belém (COP – Conference of the Parties – 30). Countries that preserve their forests are set to be rewarded, and penalties are to be imposed for every hectare of forest destroyed.
In addition to money from public funders, there are plans to raise money for the fund from private investors. This is intended to substantially expand it. Following Brazil, Indonesia and Norway, Germany has also committed to making a significant contribution.
More climate adaptation aid
It was also resolved that rich countries would significantly increase their climate adaptation aid for poorer countries. The final report refers to the commitments made in 2019, when 40 billion dollars were pledged.
Furthermore, at the end of the two-week negotiations, the participating countries only agreed to a voluntary initiative to accelerate action against climate change. In contrast, COP30 began with the Brazilian COP presidency’s plan to adopt a concrete roadmap to counter global warming. But the interests of the countries differed too widely.
“People who are already suffering the most from global warming need concrete solutions and more support in order to adapt to the consequences of climate change”, said Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali Radovan.
Still no agreement on a fossil fuel phase-out
Above all, the countries were unable to agree on a phase-out of fossil fuels. Although many countries, including the EU countries, emphasised the importance of a phase-out for the global climate, the oil-producing countries and other large countries in particular did not want to be restricted in their actions.
Negative effects of trade measures in international contexts need to be addressed, even if they are intended to protect climate action. A three-year dialogue with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is envisioned for this purpose. This dialogue includes, for example, the border adjustment mechanism envisaged by the EU. This mechanism is intended to protect domestic EU industry, since CO2 pricing means industry in turn faces higher costs in international competition.
Next world climate change conference in Turkey
The next climate change conference is scheduled to take place in Antalya in November 2026. Turkey will thus host the COP 31 Conference of the Parties. Australia, which also applied to host the next COP, will lead the negotiations.