By Green Time News
As global climate cooperation faces significant hurdles, COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago has issued a strong call for unity in tackling the climate crisis. Speaking at the UN plenary in New York, he emphasized the importance of international collaboration, warning that without it, humanity risks losing the progress made in climate diplomacy over the past three decades. However, his plea comes at a time of growing geopolitical tensions, waning financial commitments from developed nations, and increasing frustration from developing countries.
The State of Climate Multilateralism
Corrêa do Lago’s address at the UN marked his first public speech as president of COP30, which is set to be hosted in Brazil later this year. He stressed that Brazil intends to provide a “decisive impulse” in defending the institutional achievements of climate talks and accelerating the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
However, the backdrop of his speech paints a bleak picture for global climate diplomacy. The United States, under climate-skeptic President Donald Trump, has initiated steps to withdraw from the global climate accord and has been scaling back climate finance commitments. This shift has further strained relations with allies and contributed to growing discontent among developing nations that rely on international support to transition to low-carbon economies.
Rising Temperatures, Growing Disparities
The urgency of climate action was further underscored by recent findings from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. February 2025 was recorded as the third-warmest February globally, with an alarming average temperature of 1.59°C above pre-industrial levels. Additionally, sea ice in both the Arctic and Antarctic has reached new record lows, raising concerns about accelerating climate change and the intensification of extreme weather events.
Despite these stark warnings, the divide between developed and developing nations on climate finance remains a major stumbling block. The G77 group, representing developing countries, voiced their dissatisfaction at the UN, citing unfulfilled promises of climate funding from wealthier nations. Iraq’s representative, speaking on behalf of the group, criticized COP29 for failing to provide adequate financial support for developing nations’ green transitions.
At COP29 in Azerbaijan, wealthier nations had pledged at least $300 billion annually by 2035 to assist vulnerable countries in adapting to climate change. However, activists and officials from the Global South have widely criticized the agreement as insufficient and lacking in concrete mechanisms for fund allocation.
Developing Nations Call for Climate Finance, Rich Nations Look to Private Investment
Amid the ongoing disputes over climate finance, the European Union and Australia have downplayed the role of government funding, instead pushing for increased private sector involvement. The EU’s climate delegate stated that the scale of investment needed for climate adaptation and mitigation cannot be met solely through public funds.
However, this stance has fueled concerns that private-sector-driven climate finance will prioritize profitability over the urgent needs of vulnerable communities. Developing countries argue that while private investment is necessary, developed nations must fulfill their historical obligations by providing direct financial support for climate resilience projects.
Simon Stiell, the head of UN Climate Change, acknowledged these concerns during a visit to Nigeria, emphasizing that countries like Nigeria must be granted easier access to climate funds. He pointed out that investment in clean energy, green infrastructure, and sustainable agriculture could drive economic growth while mitigating climate risks. However, he stressed that expecting developing countries to transition without adequate financial support is “unfair and unrealistic.”
A Roadmap to Climate Action: Will COP30 Deliver?
As the world prepares for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, hopes are high for a roadmap that will accelerate climate action and mobilize the much-needed $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. Governments are also expected to submit their revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by September, outlining updated emission reduction targets.
Despite these efforts, one of the biggest challenges remains the global transition away from fossil fuels. At COP28 in Dubai, nations reached a landmark decision to shift away from fossil fuels in energy systems. However, subsequent negotiations have seen significant pushback from oil-dependent nations such as Saudi Arabia, which successfully lobbied to exclude fossil fuel phase-out commitments from the COP16 biodiversity deal and COP29 agreements.
The Road Ahead: Can COP30 Reignite Global Climate Cooperation?
COP30 presents a crucial opportunity to bridge the growing divide between nations on climate action. Corrêa do Lago’s emphasis on unity and cooperation is a strong message, but without tangible commitments from developed nations, particularly on climate finance and fossil fuel reduction, progress may remain elusive.
The world’s most vulnerable countries are running out of time, and with global temperatures continuing to rise, the stakes have never been higher. The question remains: will COP30 be able to rebuild trust and drive meaningful action, or will it become another missed opportunity in the fight against climate change?