It’s that time of year again, and no, I don’t mean Christmas. Just a few weeks ago, 194 world nations and 56,000 people gathered in Belém, Brazil for the 30^th annual United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP30).

Despite not attending, I still found myself reading every update I could find on the debates, and began to wonder: What needs to be discussed in future climate debates to bring about more effective climate action?

Last year I posed the question of whether COPs truly serve a purpose in todays’ world, eventually settling on “yes, they most definitely do”. This year, let’s explore the question above as we dive into the key outcomes of COP30.

1. Increasing finance for climate adaptation

Perhaps one of the key positive outcomes, world nations agreed to triple the finance available to help poorer nations mitigate and prepare for worsening impacts of climate change. What hasn’t changed since COP29 in the Saudi Arabian deserts is that richer nations are often the main drivers of emissions and global warming, whilst poorer nations are worst impacted by floods, droughts or extreme heat and weather.

It seems only right that richer nations set aside money to support vulnerable communities in mitigating climate impacts. Though the decision has no direct effect on emissions, it could mean better flood defences in low-lying areas, drought-proof crops or early-warning systems. Yet this is all if the money arrives – the timeline is long, but impacted countries need the money now.

2. A Just Transition from polluting industries

This doesn’t mean a transition from fossil fuels – we’ll get to that later – but a transition away from industries outside energy production that pollute our world – be it plastics production, textiles or industries that cause rising emissions. This transition has been discussed in the past, though met delays due to considerations around social justice.

We could stop polluting industries within a year, in theory, but doing so will cost millions of people their jobs, lead to loss of land for indigenous communities and increase hardships for those already struggling due to climate or economic-causes. A Just Transition here means protecting jobs, retraining workers and supporting vulnerable communities as we move to more sustainable industries – ensuring climate action doesn’t affect those struggling already, but also tackles social issues, not just environmental ones.

3. Increased finance for energy and climate goals

World leaders also agreed to fund up to $1 trillion of clean energy and climate protection efforts each year by 2035. This could mean the speeding up of renewable energy transitions, increased protection from extreme weather and better job security in industry. We could also see cleaner air and better health for people across the world, safer and more climate-resilient infrastructure and new jobs.

Yet there is no plan in place as to who pays, how and when they pay and how much each nation should contribute. Without a clear plan, all these benefits remain uncertain.

4. No deal on cutting fossil fuels

In an incredible disappointment, COP30 failed to agree on a phase-out of fossil fuels, just like the COP29 talks in oil-rich Saudi Arabia. Despite Cop30 being held on the edge of the Amazon rainforest – an ecosystem majorly impacted by fossil fuel emissions – and support from many countries, the discussions failed to bring about an agreement on phasing out coal, oil and gas.

This has huge impacts on the climate and people alike. We’ll keep seeing emissions from the main cause of global warming, it will become harder for us to stop the planet from overheating and we’ll see more severe climate impacts – more floods, extreme weather, fires and food shortages, just to name a few, especially for the most vulnerable communities and countries.

With no global plan to phase-out fossil fuels, it’s down to each government to determine how and when they phase them out – if they even want to at all.

5. What Else?

There were, of course, more outcomes from COP30, but the list here is getting long. If you want to find out more, and hear a chat with Dr Karen Tucker about how climate talks impact indigenous peoples, listen to Love & Sciences’ COP30 Special from the 8th December 2024!

The future of climate talks

This brings us back to our question above – what needs to be discussed in future for more effective climate action? Despite a failure to agree on a phase-out plan, we can still remain somewhat hopeful, I believe. Countries are still talking, nations are sat at the same table, and global cooperation is still continuing despite tensions.

The next COP, COP31, will be held in Antalya, Türkiye, and there’s still a chance for coordinated global action. Here’s what I’m hoping to see discussed, and agreed, next November:

1. Countries will discuss a binding fossil fuel phase-out plan – and hopefully we’ll see a final agreement on the deadline and urgency for this
2. Countries will debate how to deliver on climate finance agreements made this year – maybe we’ll finally see a timeline for providing the desperately needed climate finance needed by vulnerable nations for mitigation and adaptation
3. Nations will explore ways to strengthen emissions-reduction commitments – hopefully beyond 2035
4. Finally, delegates will determine how to turn the ‘Just Transition’ into reality, with clear, real and impactful policies.

Bring on COP31!