COP30: Bridging Gaps in Global Climate Action

• 25 Nov 2025

This editorial is based on “ At COP 30, a divided world finds common ground,” which was published in The Indian Express on 25/11/2025. The article discusses how COP 30, despite global divisions and challenges, achieved significant multilateral cooperation by aligning diverse country interests to advance climate adaptation, just transition mechanisms, and equitable energy shifts while balancing economic and social complexities.

For Prelims: COP 30, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Just Transition Mechanism, Tropical Forests Forever Facility, Global Mutirão Agreement, Emissions Gap Report 2025, Climate Action Tracker, National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), National Green Hydrogen Mission

For Mains: Key outcomes of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, Key barriers that prevent countries from meeting global climate commitments, Major initiatives undertaken  by the Indian government to address climate change

COP 30 marked a critical juncture in global climate action, demonstrating the power of multilateral cooperation despite geopolitical tensions. The conference saw historic finance commitments, pledges to triple adaptation funding by 2035, and launched innovative initiatives for a just transition and deforestation reversal. While falling short on fossil fuel phase-out language, COP 30 reinforced the urgent need for ambitious, equity-based climate strategies that blend social, economic, and environmental goals in a collaborative global framework.

What are the Key Outcomes of COP30 in Belém, Brazil? 

• Adoption of the Belém Package: COP30 saw the adoption of the Belém Package, comprising 29 decisions aimed at accelerating Paris Agreement implementation by strengthening climate finance, adaptation tracking, gender inclusion, and global cooperation. 
  • This package reflects a shift from pledges to actionable implementation.
• Climate Finance Commitments and Adaptation Funding: Parties have committed to mobilising $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for climate action, spotlighting a tripling of adaptation finance to support vulnerable nations and addressing long-standing finance gaps in previous agreements.
• Global Implementation Accelerator and Belém Mission to 1.5°C: Launched to monitor national progress toward climate targets, these initiatives aim to narrow the emissions gap by facilitating measurable tracking of NDCs, fostering accountability and transparency.
• Just Transition Mechanism for Fossil Fuel-Dependent Economies: Also known as the Belém Action Mechanism, it supports workers and countries transitioning away from fossil fuels to sustainable economies. 
• Roadmaps for Deforestation and Fossil Fuel Transition: Brazil introduced two key roadmaps: one to halt and reverse deforestation and another to advance a just, equitable fossil fuel transition, reflecting national and regional economic realities.
• Belém Health Action Plan: The first-ever global plan linking climate action and public health, addressing climate-induced health risks and emphasising climate justice, aiming to strengthen resilient health systems worldwide.
• Tropical Forests Forever Facility: A performance-based, long-term fund rewarding countries for forest conservation, allocating at least 20% of funding to Indigenous peoples and local communities, aligning biodiversity, livelihoods, and climate goals.
• Strengthening Equity and Inclusive Governance: COP30 reinforced equity, climate justice, transparency, and intergenerational rights, while integrating gender-responsive policies and Indigenous leadership.
• Climate-Trade Dialogue: An initiative to harmonise climate objectives with international trade policies, reducing conflicts such as carbon border adjustments, and promoting sustainable, fair transitions.
• Global Mutirão Agreement: Fostering a spirit of collective action, this agreement aims to enhance multilateralism and collective responsibility amid geopolitical divisions.

What are the Key Barriers that Prevent Countries from Meeting Global Climate Commitments?

• Gap Between NDC Pledges and Pathway: Many countries' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) still fall short of what is needed to limit warming to 1.5°C. 
  • The UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2025 states that the current NDCs would only reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by about 15% by 2035 compared to 2019 levels, while a 45%-60% reduction is required to stay within 1.5°C limits. 
  • Only 19 countries have targets aligned with Paris goals, with major emitters like China and the US planning expansions in certain sectors. 
  • This lack of ambition leads to a projected temperature rise of 2.3–2.5°C by 2100.
• Implementation Gap:  Even where targets exist, implementation is lagging. Climate Action Tracker reported that global emissions are on track to exceed the necessary reductions by 29-32 Gt CO₂e in 2030, pointing to a serious implementation gap. 
  
  • While renewable capacity has been growing, investments in fossil fuel infrastructure continue, and many countries delay phasing out coal, impacting the speed of decarbonization.
  • Many corporations and businesses lag in climate action. A 2025 EY Global Climate Action Barometer found that while 64% of companies have net-zero plans, only 12% made substantial progress in 2025.
    • Nearly two-thirds rely on carbon credits rather than actual emission reductions, especially in transportation and financial services, undermining broader climate efforts.
• Insufficient Climate Finance: Developing countries require substantial funding for mitigation and adaptation but encounter chronic shortages. 
  • Although COP30 pledged $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, currently only about $115 billion per year(by developed countries) flows as climate finance, well below the $300 billion target set for 2020 and future needs. 
  • Adaptation funding is particularly underfunded, receiving less than one-third of required amounts, causing vulnerable countries to struggle with climate impacts and resilience-building.
• Geopolitical Tensions and Responsibility Disputes: Global political divides obstruct consensus on critical issues like fossil fuel phase-out and equitable finance sharing.
  
  • COP30 highlighted this with the absence of a binding fossil fuel phase-out agreement. 
  • Countries disagree on how to balance responsibilities between developed and developing nations, as well as on monitoring and accountability frameworks. US-China cooperation on this issue has been inconsistent, affecting global momentum.
    • Also, India on behalf of the Global South calls for a phase down rather than a phase out of fossil fuels.
• Technological Constraints and Capacity Gaps: Access to advanced clean technologies is uneven. 
  • Many developing countries lack the infrastructure and expertise to deploy renewables effectively or adopt carbon capture technologies. This limits their ability to meet ambitious commitments. 
  • For example, Africa’s renewable energy capacity reached only 70 GW in 2024 compared to over 800GW in Europe, highlighting widening technology gaps.
• Data Transparency and Reporting Deficiencies: Accurate, timely data on emissions and climate actions are crucial for global accountability. 
  
  • Many countries face challenges in comprehensive greenhouse gas inventories and transparent reporting, weakening trust and impeding policy adjustments. 
  • The lack of uniform reporting standards contributes to inconsistent progress tracking.
    • A study covering 133 developing countries from 1997 to 2019 found that over half made little or no progress in improving their GHG inventory capabilities, with many failing to submit inventories when required. 
• Socioeconomic and Just Transition Challenges: Transitioning from fossil fuels affects millions of workers in industries tied to coal, oil, and gas. 
  • Without sufficient social protection and re-skilling schemes, resistance grows, delaying policymaking. 
  • The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that around 24 million jobs will be created in green sectors by 2030, but millions more in fossil fuel industries risk displacement, especially in coal-reliant regions like Poland, India, and parts of the US.

What Major Initiatives has the Indian Government Undertaken to Meet Its Climate Commitments?

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Launched in 2008, it includes eight national missions targeting solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitats, water, Himalayan ecosystems, Green India, sustainable agriculture, and climate knowledge.
• National Solar Mission: Focuses on increasing solar power capacity to reduce fossil fuel dependency and promote clean energy.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission: Aims to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030 to enable decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors.
• Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme: Implements market-based energy efficiency improvements in industry with tradable credits for excess savings.
• Carbon Market Development: Establishes a carbon credit trading scheme expected by 2026 to incentivize emissions reductions.
• Forest Conservation and Afforestation Programs: Under NAPCC missions and the Green India Mission, India aims to afforest 6 million hectares and increase forest cover from 23% to 33%.
• India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP): Seeks sustainable cooling solutions reducing refrigerant emissions and energy use, improving health and equity.
• National Bio-Energy Mission: Promotes bio-energy as a renewable option to diversify energy sources and reduce emissions.
• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Aims to reduce air pollution using regulatory measures synergistic with climate goals.
• Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI): Restores coastal ecosystems while enhancing community livelihoods dependent on mangroves.
• Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS): Supports industrial decarbonization through innovative CO₂ capture and reintegration technologies.
• Miyawaki Urban Afforestation Technique: Propagates dense native vegetation in urban areas for improved green cover and air quality.

What Key Global Actions are Needed to Ensure Equitable and Effective Climate Action Worldwide?

• Address the Ambition Gap with Stronger NDCs: Most current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are insufficient to limit warming below 1.5°C.
  
  • Countries including India need to adopt more ambitious, science-based targets, revising them regularly with built-in accountability. 
  • For instance, Colombia’s iterative process of broadening targets with inclusive stakeholder engagement exemplifies effective ambition enhancement. 
    • Emulating the EU’s legally binding emission cuts under the Fit for 55 package can institutionalize such ambition.
• Close the Implementation Gap through Robust Governance and Monitoring: Countries must translate commitments into enforceable policies with clear timelines and compliance incentives. 
  • The Dominican Republic’s National Council for Climate Change successfully coordinates government departments for cohesive action. 
  • India and others can set up or strengthen such central bodies, complemented by digital MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) systems to transparently track progress and penalize underperformance, thus reducing the global implementation deficit.
• Scale Up Climate Finance with Transparency and Innovation: Addressing finance shortfalls requires diverse instruments like green bonds, blended finance, and climate funds. Zambia’s green bonds and South Africa’s sovereign green bonds illustrate effective scaling-up strategies. 
  • India should foster domestic green finance markets, adhere to UNFCCC reporting standards, and create enabling policy environments that attract private investment, ensuring adaptation funding reaches vulnerable populations urgently.
• Strengthen Multilateral Cooperation and Equitable Responsibility Sharing: Bridging geopolitical divides involves strengthening transparency and accountability frameworks under the Paris Agreement while operationalizing common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR). 
  • Kenya’s climate finance unit and Thailand’s national strategies showcase successful models for mobilizing support equitably. 
  • India’s role in South-South cooperation is vital for balancing ambition with equity, fostering trust among diverse actors.
• Invest in Technology Transfer and Capacity Building: Closing technology gaps demands cooperative R&D, capacity-building, and technical assistance schemes.
  • For instance, Fiji has built alliances to develop local expertise and adapt technologies. India can expand partnerships like Mission Innovation and invest in vocational training to accelerate clean technology adoption, addressing disparities in renewable capacities.
• Enhance Data Transparency and Reporting Rigor: Uniform, reliable data underpin accountability. 
  • Nations like Peru and Nepal have integrated climate reporting with development indicators using digital platforms. 
  • India should adopt IPCC-compliant methodologies, apply AI and satellite monitoring, and enable open data access to build domestic trust and international credibility, facilitating dynamic policy revision.
• Ensure a Just Transition with Social Protection: Implementing social safety nets and retraining programs eases the shift from fossil fuels and garners broader buy-in.
  • Germany’s coal region transitions based on comprehensive worker reskilling and social dialogue provide examples of successful just transition models. 
  • India and others should engage local communities proactively to generate inclusive opportunities in green sectors and mitigate social resistance.
• Mobilise Corporate and Private Sector Engagement with Accountability: Stronger regulatory frameworks mandating disclosures and carbon pricing, coupled with incentives for green innovation, can strengthen corporate climate responsibility.
  • Thailand’s sustainability-linked bonds and Côte d’Ivoire’s public-private partnerships have catalysed private action.
  • India must ensure corporate net-zero commitments translate into real emission reductions beyond offsets, closing gaps exposed by recent studies.

Conclusion: 

Global climate action requires urgent, transformative change to achieve the 1.5°C goal. As Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations notes, we are the first generation that can end poverty but the last that can prevent runaway climate change. Strengthening NDC ambition, scaling transparent finance, advancing technology transfer, ensuring just transitions, and improving data accountability are essential. Together, these measures advance SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 17(Partnerships for the Goals), fostering equitable climate resilience worldwide.

Drishti Mains Question:

COP30 marked a critical juncture in accelerating the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Analyse the key initiatives launched during the conference and evaluate their significance for closing the global ambition and implementation gaps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What was the primary outcome of COP30 held in Belém, Brazil?

COP30 adopted the Belém Package (29 decisions) focusing on climate finance, adaptation, just transition, deforestation reversal, and strengthened global cooperation to accelerate Paris Agreement implementation.

2. Why is climate finance still a major barrier to global climate commitments?

Despite COP30’s pledge of $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, current flows remain around $80 billion, with adaptation finance severely underfunded, limiting resilience efforts in vulnerable countries.

3. What explains the persistent ambition and implementation gaps in global climate action?

Most NDCs are insufficient for 1.5°C, and global emissions remain off-track due to delayed coal phase-outs, rising fossil fuel investments, weak MRV systems, and slow corporate progress toward real emissions cuts.

4. What key initiatives has India undertaken to address climate change?

 India’s actions include the NAPCC missions, National Solar Mission, Green Hydrogen Mission, PAT Scheme, NCAP, carbon markets, Green India afforestation, bio-energy, CCUS, and MISHTI mangrove restoration.

5. What global actions are essential for equitable and effective climate action?

Countries must strengthen NDC ambition, build robust governance and MRV, scale transparent climate finance, promote technology transfer, ensure just transitions, and deepen multilateral cooperation (CBDR).

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Q. With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)

1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN, and it will go into effect in 2017. 
2. The Agreement aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2ºC or even 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels. 
3. Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $ 1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change. 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Ans: (b)

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Mains 

Q. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021)

Q. Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at the World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (2021)