What is the COP30 climate summit?

The COP30 climate summit is a major United Nations conference on climate change, bringing together representatives from over 190 countries to discuss and negotiate global climate action.

What are the Indigenous leaders demanding at the COP30 summit?

Indigenous leaders from the Amazon region have traveled to the COP30 summit in Belem, Brazil, to demand a greater say in how their territories are managed as climate change escalates and industries like mining, logging, and oil drilling push deeper into their forests. They want concrete action, not just promises, to protect their communities from the impacts of climate change.

Home / Environment / COP30 Kicks Off with Doubts Over Consensus on Climate Action

COP30 Kicks Off with Doubts Over Consensus on Climate Action

Q: How is China's role changing at the COP30 summit?

China's importance has risen at the COP30 summit as the United States plans to exit the Paris Agreement and the European Union struggles to maintain its climate ambition amid energy security concerns. China is now seen as a provider of affordable green technologies to lead the global energy transition.

10 Nov

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Summary

Unclear what countries will discuss at COP30 summit in Brazil's Amazon
China's growing role as US exits Paris Agreement and EU struggles with energy security
Indigenous leaders demand more say in managing their territories amid climate change

The COP30 climate summit kicked off on November 10, 2025, in Belem, Brazil, with uncertainty surrounding the agenda and the prospects of a final agreement. With over 190 countries participating, it was unclear what exactly they would focus on during the two-week summit.

One key issue is the 2023 pledge to wean off polluting energy sources and the demand for financing to make that happen. However, fractious global politics and the US's efforts to obstruct the transition away from fossil fuels have cast doubt on whether countries can negotiate a binding agreement.

Some, including Brazil, have suggested that countries focus on smaller, consensus-driven efforts rather than lofty promises that often go unfulfilled. COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago noted the rising importance of China in the talks, as the US plans to exit the Paris Agreement in January 2026 and the EU struggles to maintain its climate ambition amid energy security concerns.