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What to Expect out of COP30?
A collective urgent mobilization towards Climate Resilience
While some experts and leaders remain sceptical about climate summits, COP 30 brings reason for cautious optimism.
At COP 29, during the last two days of High Power Consultations, the government delegations were discussing in a subdued tone and almost writing an obituary of such consultations. But, on the other hand the non-government stakeholders, including business leaders exchanged case studies and all potential solutions. Over 4000 multinational companies signed the pledge with UNFCCC to work towards COP Agenda of limiting global warming to 1.5º C. As a result, many participants are now expected to go to Belém in November 2025 with a new sense of purpose and determination.
The COP 30 debate will revolve around who pays, how much, and under what mechanisms accountability will be enforced.
Set to take place in Belém, Brazil, COP 30 is anticipated to be one of the most consequential climate conferences since the signing of the Paris Agreement. Occurring a decade after the Paris Agreement and halfway to its 2030 targets, COP 30 is expected to shift the global conversation from pledges to tangible implementation.
The setting itself is very symbolic: Belém, a gateway to the Amazon rainforest, highlights and underscore the urgent need to harmonize global climate ambitions with local realities such as forest preservation, biodiversity protection, and indigenous rights.
The upcoming COP will build on the outcomes of COP 28 in Dubai, where the first Global Stocktake underscored the gap between existing commitments and what is needed to keep global warming within 1.5°C. At COP 30, the world will look for clear pathways, stronger accountability, and deeper collaboration across governments, businesses, and civil society.
The Major issues identified for discussion are as follows:
Climate Finance: Scaling Up Commitments
One of the most hotly debated topics at COP 30 will be climate finance. For years, developed nations have pledged to mobilize USD 100 billion annually to support developing countries in mitigation and adaptation efforts, but delivery has often fallen short. COP 30 is expected to address this by:
• Establishing clearer financing frameworks beyond 2025, with greater transparency.
• Introducing mechanisms to leverage 'private investment' alongside 'public funding'.
• Expanding loss and damage funding for climatevulnerable nations that face extreme weather events, rising seas, and ecosystem collapse.
Developing economies, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, will seek assurances that funding is not only increased but also made more accessible, predictable, and equitable.
The debate will revolve around who pays, how much, and under what mechanisms accountability will be enforced.
Energy Transition: From Fossil Fuels to Renewables
A defining expectation of COP 30 is progress on phasing out fossil fuels and accelerating a just transition to renewable energy. COP 28 made headlines with its call for a “transition away from fossil fuels,” but left many loopholes. COP 30 is where these commitments must be sharpened into measurable goals.
Key points to focus on:
• 'Concrete Timelines' for phasing out coal, oil, and gas subsidies.
• 'Expanding Investments' in solar, wind, green hydrogen, and storage technologies.
• Building frameworks to support developing countries in adopting clean energy without compromising economic growth.
• Addressing the social dimension of energy transitionsensuring workers, communities, and marginalized groups are not left behind.
Brazil, as the host, is uniquely positioned to highlight opportunities in renewable energy, especially given its progress in hydropower, biofuels, and wind energy. It has been a global pioneer in bringing ethanol to the automobile industry, making ethanol-powered vehicles a reality. Currently, it is playing an important role in developing green hydrogen options at an economic scale.
Forests, Biodiversity, and Indigenous Rights
Hosting COP 30 in the Amazon basin places forests and biodiversity at the heart of global negotiations. Forests have a dual role, providing pure air and absorbing carbon dioxide, preserving ecosystems, and sustaining indigenous livelihoods. Yet deforestation continues at an alarming rate.
Expectations
• Stronger global commitments to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030.
• 'Financial Incentives' and 'Carbon Credit' systems to reward nations that protect their forests.
• Policies that respect and integrate indigenous knowledge and rights.
• Expanding partnerships to tackle biodiversity loss as part of climate strategies.
Brazil, as steward of much of the Amazon, will be under pressure to demonstrate leadership in reducing deforestation rates while balancing developmental needs.
Adaptation and Resilience
As climate impacts intensify, adaptation will remain a core agenda item at COP 30. While mitigation efforts focus on reducing emissions, adaptation emphasizes helping societies cope with unavoidable impacts.
Focus areas:
• Building climate-resilient infrastructure in cities and coastal regions.
• Strengthening early warning systems for extreme weather events.
• Expanding agricultural innovations for food and water security.
• Ensuring that finance for adaptation flows equitably to the most vulnerable.
The success of COP 30 will hinge on whether nations can translate 'ambition' into 'action'. Trust remains a fragile element in climate diplomacy, as many countries feel promises made in past COPs have not been fulfilled.
The conference is expected to highlight the gap between current adaptation efforts and the scale of climate risks faced globally.
Digital & Green Technology
COP 30 will also spotlight the role of transformative technologies from AI and block-chain for climate monitoring to green hydrogen and carbon capture in reducing emissions. These technologies, if scaled responsibly, can provide solutions across energy, industry, agriculture, and transportation.
Debates may include:
• Encouraging technology transfer from developed to developing nations.
• Establishing global partnerships for green R&D.
• Balancing innovation with ethical considerations around AI and big data.
Climate action now is not just about North versus South. It is about shared but differentiated responsibility.
Global Cooperation and Accountability – Role of Business
The success of COP 30 will hinge on whether nations can translate 'ambition' into 'action'. Trust remains a fragile element in climate diplomacy, as many countries feel promises made in past COPs have not been fulfilled.
To rebuild credibility, COP 30 may introduce:
• Stronger accountability mechanisms for tracking emissions and financial flows.
• A global stocktake follow-up framework with clear milestones before 2030.
• Enhanced participation of non-state actors
The geopolitical contexts like rising energy demands, global conflicts, and economic uncertainties will influence the tone of negotiations. Most importantly, it will prioritize the greater involvement of non-state actors, particularly businesses, cities, and civil societies in governance.
In short, COP 30 is expected to be the moment of accountability and acceleration, and a bridge between 'promises' and 'measurable progress'. Whether or not it rises to the expectations will be determined by how effectively the global community can steer itself toward the 1.5°C pathway and a more sustainable, equitable future.
Corporates will have to develop strategy and frameworks to initiate action of adaptation and mitigation with their own funding and manpower. If each company can take action to attain Net Zero by 2035, that will put pressure on governments to take more active measures, policies and guidelines and suitable regulations.
It is not possible to ensure energy transition only through introduction of renewable sources of energy; but certainly, by introducing and developing technology to decarbonise 'production' and 'use of fossil fuels' through the efficiency route.
The success of COP 30 will depend on how well the Corporate Boards can integrate decarbonisation into their thinking, strategy and actions. Boards are expected to move their companies in the right direction. A total transition may be launched at COP 30.
Climate action now is not just about North versus South. It is about shared but differentiated responsibility. Every nation must contribute according to its capacity, because without cooperation across all borders, we will fail.
It is not just about emissions and targets. It is about equity, public health, food security, economic stability, and above all, survival.
COP 30 is our opportunity to show that we can act not as divided nations, but as united humanity. If we rise to the challenge, we can build a sustainable, fair, and liveable future. If we fail, we risk leaving behind a planet unfit for human life.
Conclusion
COP 30 represents not just another climate conference, but a defining opportunity for the world to realign its efforts toward a liveable future. With its Amazonian backdrop, it carries symbolic weight for protecting the planet's lungs, safeguarding biodiversity, and empowering indigenous voices. The world will look for COP 30 to deliver clearer financing commitments, sharper energy transition goals, stronger forest protection frameworks, and practical adaptation strategies.
COP 30 will be more than a conference – it will be 'a test for our collective will'.
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Pradeep Chaturvedi
Vice President - Institute of Directors
He is former Advisor FAO & former Chairman, Institution of Engineers, Delhi. He is a Mechanical Engineer & has been involved with Environment & Energy Policy (planning & implementation) of energy projects under the UN Agencies for over three decades in India & other Asian and Pacific countries. He is Vice-President, World Environment Foundation & Institute of Directors, India.
Owned by: Institute of Directors, India
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