Global South Drives Climate Talks: Amazon Summit's Mixed Legacy

COP30 in Belém, Brazil, ended with a mixed legacy, marked by diplomatic progress but highlighting the global community's continued challenges. The summit saw a landmark agreement to at least triple adaptation finance by 2035, a crucial commitment for climate-vulnerable regions. Additionally, the Belém Health Action Plan was formally launched, aiming to integrate health objectives into national climate plans with significant philanthropic backing.

Despite these achievements, the final agreement notably sidestepped direct commitments on fossil fuel phaseouts, opting for broader language on a just transition. This compromise disappointed many, particularly European officials and Indigenous protesters who voiced concerns over the slow pace of climate justice and the lack of concrete emissions reduction targets.

The summit underscored a shift in climate diplomacy, with the Global South increasingly shaping the agenda. Nations like Brazil, India, and Indonesia are leading with ambitious renewable energy goals and innovative climate governance frameworks, signaling a move towards greater autonomy and South-South collaboration in tackling climate change.