This November, the world will turn its attention to Belém, Brazil, as leaders gather for the United Nations Climate Conference (COP30)—a pivotal moment in the global effort to tackle the climate crisis. From November 10–21, 2025, governments, businesses, climate activists and civil society organizations will converge in the heart of the Amazon to take stock of climate progress and forge a path toward a livable future.
With global temperatures reaching record highs and communities worldwide facing intensifying floods, droughts, and heatwaves, the urgency for action has never been greater. COP30 will focus on keeping global warming below 1.5°C, a threshold scientists warn is essential to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.
A Decade After Paris: Raising the Bar for Global Action
COP30 marks ten years since the landmark Paris Agreement, when nations pledged to limit global warming to well below 2°C—and ideally 1.5°C—above pre-industrial levels.
A major milestone of the conference will be the unveiling of new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—each country’s updated plan to reduce emissions and strengthen climate resilience. Delegates will also assess progress on the climate finance commitments made at COP29, including funding to support adaptation and loss and damage in vulnerable regions.
A Call for a ‘Bold and Credible Response’
In the lead-up to the conference, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders to deliver “a bold and credible response plan to close the ambition and implementation gaps.” Ten years after the Paris Agreement, he emphasized that while temporary breaches of the 1.5°C threshold are becoming more likely, the path forward remains open—if countries act decisively.
“Continuing to invest in fossil fuels is a dead end,” Guterres said. “The science is clear; the economics are compelling; and the moral case is undeniable.” He urged governments to make COP30 “the start of a decade of acceleration” by closing the gaps in ambition, adaptation, and finance—and by empowering local leadership to turn global plans into tangible progress.
Why Belém Matters
Hosting COP30 in Brazil is especially symbolic. As home to the Amazon Rainforest—the planet’s largest tropical ecosystem and a vital carbon sink—Brazil stands at the crossroads of global climate action. The conference will highlight how restoring ecosystems, supporting smallholder farmers, and transforming food systems can drive both climate resilience and food security.
This year’s conference will emphasize how protecting ecosystems, restoring degraded lands, and transforming food systems can drive both climate resilience and food security. Expect discussions on sustainable agriculture, Indigenous stewardship, and nature-based solutions—all central to achieving global climate goals.
The Road Ahead
Delegates in Belém will also assess progress on climate finance commitments made at COP29, including support for adaptation and for nations most affected by climate-related loss and damage. The outcomes of COP30 will shape not only the next decade of international climate policy but also the daily lives of farmers, fishers, and communities on the frontlines of climate change.
As Guterres reminded the world, “The science is clear; the economics are compelling; and the moral case is undeniable.” COP30 is a chance to turn that clarity into action—and to power a livable future for all.
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