After several days of preparations (see EUROPE 13746/1), COP30 opened on Monday 10 November in Belém (Brazil), ten years after the Paris Agreement, which aimed to limit global warming to 1.5°C above the historical average.
The EU, which has just agreed its nationally determined contribution (‘NDC’) for 2035 (see EUROPE 13746/1), still wants to position itself as a leader in the fight against climate change, while the United States has snubbed the United Nations summit. The country withdrew from the Paris Agreement for the second time on 20 January, following US President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“We just hope the United States won’t stand in the way of the rest of the world’s efforts to combat climate change”, commented a European source. The source also explained that “many international partners are interested in working with the EU”.
In announcing a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of between 66.25% and 72.5% by 2035, the EU intends to remain among the “most ambitious” and also the most “reliable” players.
The European Commission recently published a strategy outlining the EU’s climate diplomacy, highlighting opportunities for cooperation with global partners, including the American and Chinese giants (see EUROPE 13732/5).
Expectations for COP30. While this new COP aims to reaffirm global climate objectives, an ambitious new agreement is not expected.
At COP28 in Dubai, the parties pledged to triple installed renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. At COP29 in Baku, a target of at least $300 billion a year by 2035 was set for developing countries to finance their climate objectives.
This COP30 “is in reality a COP of ambition in terms of implementation”, explained the same European source, who invited us to ask ourselves the following question: “How can we accelerate implementation to close the emissions reduction gap?”
The EU defends its position. In total, 105 out of 193 parties submitted their targets (‘NDCs’) for 2035 at the COP’s opening. According to the Climate Action Tracker, only Norway and the UK have submitted plans that can be considered aligned with the 1.5°C target. Norway is aiming for a reduction of at least 70-75% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels, and the UK has set a reduction target of 81%.
Although the EU ultimately agreed on a range of emissions reductions rather than a simple percentage, the EU Council defended its position by stating that the NDC highlights “the steady progress the EU has made in its climate action to decarbonise its economy and its contribution to global efforts agreed upon at the first global stocktake at COP28”.
A source also points out that other parties have submitted ranges that are “below” that of the EU, as is the case for Canada, Australia and Brazil. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)