Global Climate Action at COP 30 in Brazil
The 30th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is scheduled for November 2025 in Belem, Brazil. This meeting is critical as global climate mitigation efforts face renewed challenges. The focus remains on encouraging cooperation among nations to limit global warming and manage climate risks effectively.
Background of UNFCCC
The UNFCCC was created to address climate change through global cooperation. Initially, it placed primary responsibility on developed countries, called Annex 1 nations, due to their historical emissions. This principle is known as common but differentiated responsibilities. Over time, developed countries have shifted towards voluntary commitments for all nations. This change places greater responsibility on developing countries like China and India, who now actively pursue low-carbon growth strategies.
Paris Agreement
The 2015 Paris Agreement aims to keep global temperature rise well below 2°C above preindustrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. However, current national commitments fall short. According to the UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2024, these pledges could result in a temperature rise between 2.6°C and 2.8°C. Without stronger policies, the rise could reach 3.1°C, far beyond safe limits.
Economic Impact
Climate change threatens economic growth, especially in developing Asia and the Pacific. The Asian Development Bank warns that GDP in this region could shrink by 17 per cent by 2070 if high emissions continue. India’s GDP might decline by nearly 25 per cent under the same scenario. These figures show the urgent need for effective mitigation.
Current Emission Trends
Six major emitters account for 74 per cent of cumulative CO₂ emissions – the United States, European Union, China, Russia, Japan, and India. Developed countries have reduced emissions since 1995, while emissions have risen in China, Russia, and India. Per capita emissions show stark contrasts – the US leads with 14.3 tonnes per person, Russia 12.5 tonnes, and the EU 5.4 tonnes. China’s per capita emissions are 8.4 tonnes, while India’s remain low at 2.1 tonnes.
US Role and Policy Shifts
The US has played a fluctuating role in climate action. It initially opposed binding commitments in the 1990s but later joined the Paris Agreement under Barack Obama. The Biden administration renewed efforts with policies like the Inflation Reduction Act. However, the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement reversed progress, reducing the US emission cut target from 40 per cent to 3 per cent by 2030. This rollback adds billions of tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
Importance of COP 30 and Global Cooperation
COP 30 must address the weakening of commitments, especially from developed nations. Brazil and India, with low per capita emissions, are positioned to lead coalitions of low-emitter developing countries. They can advocate for the common but differentiated responsibilities principle. The success of COP 30 depends on increasing pressure on developed countries to act decisively and honour their historic obligations.
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