COP30..a cop-out or best of a bad job?

THIS year's United Nations climate talks have ended with a compromise that some have criticised as weak, while others have called it progress.

- BY DANNY DE VAAL

After two weeks of negotiations, the deal finalised at Cop30 pledges more money to help countries adapt to climate change, but lacks explicit plans to transition away from the fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas that heat the planet.

The conference did not do as much as scientists thought the world needed, it was not as meaningful as activists and Indigenous people demanded, and few countries got everything they wanted.

But that disappointment is mixed with a few wins and the hope for countries to make more progress next year.

The deal, which was approved after negotiators blew past a Friday deadline, was crafted after hours of late night and early morning meetings.

Former Ireland president Mary Robinson, a fierce climate advocate for the ex-leaders group The Elders, said: "This deal isn't perfect and is far from what science requires. But at a time when multi-lateralism is being tested, it is significant that countries continue to move forward together."

After the deal was approved, Cop30 president Andre Correa do Lago said the tough discussions started in Belem will continue under Brazil's leadership until the next annual conference "even if they are not reflected in this text we just approved".

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the deal shows "nations can still come together to confront the defining challenges no country can solve alone".

But he added: "I cannot pretend that Cop30 has delivered everything that is needed.