Mains Practice Questions

Introduction:

COP 30 held in Belém, Brazil, 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.

Body :

Key Outcomes of COP30 Demonstrating the Strengths of Global Climate Governance

• 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: Through the Belém Package, parties agreed on a pathway to mobilise at least USD 1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for climate action, with a strong emphasis on tripling adaptation finance for vulnerable countries and reducing persistent climate finance gaps seen under earlier arrangements.
• 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.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Global Actions 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).
• Invest in Technology Transfer and Capacity Building: Closing technology gaps demands cooperative R&D, capacity-building, and technical assistance schemes.
• Enhance Data Transparency and Reporting Rigor: Uniform, reliable data underpin accountability.
• 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.

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.