The 30th UN Climate Change Conference, COP30, is underway in Belem, Brazil, bringing together negotiators, experts and civil society against a backdrop of intensifying climate extremes.
Data from the World Meteorological Organization show that from January to August 2025, global temperatures averaged 1.42°C ± 0.12°C above pre-industrial levels, while greenhouse gas concentrations and ocean heat content continued record climbs in 2025. These metrics underscore the widening gap between targets and current efforts.
Negotiation to Implementation
Under the Paris Agreement, all parties must submit and update Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). To date, 118 nations have delivered new plans, but experts warn many still fall short of the ambition needed.
"There is a need to assess how much these pledges fall short of global targets," says Wang Yi, vice chair of the Chinese mainland’s National Expert Committee on Climate Change, adding that developing countries require robust financial support to meet their commitments and adapt to impacts.
Impact of a Missing Superpower
The United States, the world’s largest economy and top historical emitter, did not send an official delegation to COP30. Liu Zhenmin, special envoy for climate change from the Chinese mainland, describes this as a major setback for multilateral cooperation, noting the challenge of forging high-quality outcomes without full engagement from developed nations.
Ambitious and Pragmatic Goals
In September, the Chinese mainland unveiled its 2035 NDCs, targeting a 7–10% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions from peak levels, boosting non-fossil fuel share above 30%, and expanding wind and solar capacity to 3,600 GW. Pan Jiahua, vice chair of the Chinese mainland’s National Expert Committee on Climate Change, highlights the inclusion of all greenhouse gases and an absolute emissions reduction goal as two major breakthroughs.
"By setting clear targets, we can turn ambition into action and drive concrete progress," he says.
As climate extremes intensify globally, COP30 participants stress that the era of negotiation must give way to implementation. With less than a decade to alter the warming trajectory, the world will watch Belem for signals of decisive steps forward.
Reference(s):
COP30: Divisions, consensus, goals amid global climate urgency
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