Nations Falter on Climate Commitments

The Cop30 UN climate summit concluded with delegates making little headway on a timetable for replacing oil and gas or on firm commitments to reduce carbon emissions. Despite urgent pleas from island nations about lives and livelihoods lost to climate change, negotiations over the final text, particularly concerning voluntary versus legally binding commitments, were protracted.

Developing countries highlighted a significant shortfall in the finance needed for adaptation, with needs projected at $360bn annually compared to a tentative call for at least tripling current levels. Concerns were also raised about the inadequacy of national climate plans (NDCs), with many countries failing to submit them or submitting plans insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5C.

Discussions on transitioning away from fossil fuels, a resolution from Cop28, were weakened into voluntary initiatives after resistance from fossil fuel-dependent nations. Civil society groups noted that while a just transition mechanism was welcomed, the exclusion of wording on the human rights impact of critical mineral extraction for renewables was problematic.