30th Edition of Conference of Parties (COP)

The 30th COP concluded in Belem, Brazil, symbolically chosen for its proximity to the Amazon rainforest. This year, the focus was on marking the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement, which aimed to limit global warming to below 2°C, ideally to 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels.

Challenges and Developments

• 2024 marked the first instance where temperatures breached the 1.5°C level. However, it requires multiple such occurrences for this to become the 'new normal.'
• COPs aim to: 
  1. Transition economies away from fossil fuels.
  2. Allocate responsibilities and finances to achieve climate goals.
  3. Address existing climate-related societal, livelihood, and ecological damages.
• Despite recognition that renewables are the energy future, executing this transformation while maintaining economic growth and competitiveness remains a challenge.

Global Divide and COP Theme

• Two main blocs: 
  1. Developed countries pushing for hard targets and fossil fuel phase-out roadmaps.
  2. Developing countries or petro states demanding financial support and action from developed nations.
• The Brazil COP emphasized ‘implementation’ and highlighted the importance of multilateralism and ‘mutirão’ (coming together) for the Paris Agreement.
• Lack of U.S. presence weakened the developed countries' bloc but increased focus on ‘adaptation’ and ‘just transition’, stressing practical measures and financial pledges to enhance climate resilience.

India's Position

• India, a prominent voice for developing countries, supported the Brazil Presidency's acknowledgment of concerns but did not announce updated Nationally Determined Contributions related to clean energy adoption.

Conclusion

Despite the complexities of the negotiation process and visible challenges like pollution and deforestation, COP remains humanity's best chance to address climate change and prevent further global catastrophes.