COP30 in Belém

Will Ambition Take a Back Seat?

- By R R Rashmi

On September 24, 2025, the UN General Assembly convened a high-level special event on Climate Action, where leaders renewed calls for accelerated national climate action, stronger financing commitments, and bridging the gap between pledges and delivery ahead of COP30. In his opening remarks, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, emphasized that "it is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees by century's end" and urged countries to submit more ambitious climate plans without delay. In this context, R R Rashmi, has authored an insightful article on COP30 in Belém—a conference that will test whether global ambition can withstand mounting geopolitical tensions, financial constraints, and widening implementation gaps.

COP30 in Belém: Context and Stakes

The next climate conference scheduled in Brazil in November 2025 is getting closer even as the prospects of global cooperation continue to dim further by the day. In this scenario, questions are being asked whether Belém COP will be able to give momentum to global climate efforts. The United States, the biggest economy on earth and the second largest emitter is not engaged in the process; its non-involvement in the past has often acted as dampener. On the other hand, the geopolitical situation remains highly volatile as conflicts on security, trade, and energy-related issues rage in several parts of the world. These show no signs of respite and there is genuine apprehension that the resolve and ability of many countries to meet obligations will be impacted.