Nature at the Heart of UN Climate Conference COP30
Majority of governments call for historic strengthened action across climate, nature and land to address climate and biodiversity crises – but agreed texts fall short of reflecting the ambition and momentum of Belém.
By Cathy Yitong Li, Senior Policy Manager, Climate and Energy
Over the past two weeks close to 30 representatives from across the BirdLife Partnership attended the 30th UN Climate Change Conference COP30 in Belém, Brazil. As policy experts, country negotiators, nature-based solutions practitioners and youth activists.
The breath-taking Amazonian landscape and broad engagement by Indigenous Peoples were a stark reminder to COP delegates of what is always at stake in these talks. Nothing less than the collective future of humanity – our loved ones, our rights, and our livelihoods.
BirdLife came to the COP wanting to see strong progress on the phase out of fossil fuels, recognition of the role of nature both for climate mitigation and adaptation within the climate talks, as well as momentum maintained on the rapid and just transition to renewable energy.
The national climate plans (Nationally Determined Contributions – NDCs) submitted by governments before the conference put our world on a 2.5°C trajectory. We must collectively continue to push harder and do better to ensure we stay under the 1.5°C threshold.
Under the COP30 theme set by Brazil, encouraging all stakeholders to come together under a “Global Mutirão” (collective effort), some progress was made, but negotiation outcomes fell short in many critical areas.
“It’s historic to welcome BirdLife Partners and delegates to our home country, Brazil, from birdwatching in the Amazon to sharing our collective work on Conserva Aves and Americas Flyways Initiative in various events. We look forward to working with our colleagues, governments and others towards the UN CMS COP15 in Brazil!”
Pedro Develey, Executive Director of our Partner SAVE Brasil
“COP30 was challenging and at times overwhelming, but ultimately deeply rewarding — especially as a first-timer. Although we did not achieve everything we hoped for on synergies, we demonstrated that the majority of countries genuinely want deeper cooperation across the Rio Conventions. Working alongside our Partnership and the Mongolian Presidency team as we prepare for UNCCD COP17 has been especially inspiring.”
Odonchimeg Munkhdalai, Researcher, Wildlife Science and Conservation Center of Mongolia (BirdLife in Mongolia) and Youth Negotiator, Mongolia
For the first time in history, most governments called for strengthened synergies across climate, nature and land across the Rio Conventions at the highest political level, thanks to years of advocacy. Despite the final adopted text being quite weak due to a few countries with a longstanding history of blocking climate action, we have advanced considerably compared to just six months ago. The momentum is unstoppable, and we will come back even stronger next year.
We welcome the Belém Joint Statement on the Rio Conventions and the Gender Action Plan for furthering joint work across the Conventions, as well as the Mutirão cover decision for highlighting ‘the urgent need to address, in a comprehensive and synergetic manner, the interlinked global crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land and ocean degradation’. We also congratulate Brazil and other countries involved on the successful launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility.
But deeply regret that the roadmaps proposed by Brazil to halt deforestation and phase out fossil fuels – supported by over 80 countries and various non-state actors – did not find their way into the official decisions of the COP.
We also welcome the decision to at least triple adaptation finance by 2035 and to adopt the Global Goal on Adaptation indicators, including those based on the Red List Index.
Across the BirdLife Partnership, we are delivering on the promise of COP30. Mobilising blended finance at flyway scale for nature-based solutions, delivering nature-safe renewable energy, empowering grassroots civil society to act for climate and nature. And thankfully, so are many others. The resistance to what must change by the few must not stand in the way of delivering the ambition and progress needed.
80 years since the establishment of the UN and 10 years since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, this COP reminded us that multilateralism is the solution. But it needs to be refreshed to deliver adequate climate policy and action for people and nature.
Whilst we leave Brazil and COP30 with mixed feelings our sincerest thanks go to the Brazilian Presidency, the people of Pará, and our incredible Partner SAVE Brasil, for their ambition, hospitality and commitment.
Header Image: Birdwatching tour during COP 30 in the Quilombola community of Menino Jesus. © SAVE Brasil
“We welcome the COP30 decisions for recognising that conserving and restoring nature while halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation by 2030 are critical to combating climate change. We look forward to the Presidency’s forest roadmap accelerating this agenda as countries continue to set and implement ambitious 2035 NDCs, which is perhaps the most critical element for success in protecting communities and the ecosystems they depend on.”
Christine Dragisic, Managing Director for Global Policy, National Audubon Society, one of our Partners in the US