COP30 Outcomes: A New Climate Agenda Toward COP31

COP30 Belém marked the beginning of a new era in climate action, one focused on implementation rather than negotiation. Shaped by the determination to achieve concrete results and translate commitments into real action, the conference strongly embraced its identity as the “implementation COP.” Over the two weeks, the main outcomes were as follows:

• Implementation-Focused Structure: The conference translated goals into concrete projects through an Action Agenda structured around six thematic pillars aligned with the Global Stocktake, and through 117 Planning for Accelerated Solutions (PAS). This structure aims to ensure measurable and transparent progress.

• Financial Mobilization: Record-breaking financial commitments were announced, including the rapid operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund (FRLD), a 26-billion-dollar adaptation finance pledge from Multilateral Development Banks, a 1-trillion-dollar adaptation project pipeline targeted for 2028 under the FINI Initiative, and a 1.3-trillion-dollar annual mobilization goal under the Baku-Belém Roadmap.

• Nature-Centered Approach: Particularly during the second week, the conference emphasized that protecting forests, oceans, and biodiversity is integral to climate action. Initiatives such as the 5.5-billion-dollar Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) the largest forest finance mechanism in history and the 1.7-billion-dollar Land Tenure Pledge exemplify this approach.

• People-Centered and Just Transition: COP30 placed people at the heart of climate action. The Belém Health Action Plan (BHAP), the Global Initiative on Jobs and Skills for the New Economy, recognition of Indigenous leadership, and record youth participation all signaled the need for a just, inclusive transformation that prioritizes societal well-being.

• Multilevel Governance and Local Action: Alongside national governments, the roles of cities, local authorities, and communities were highlighted. The operationalization of the CHAMP Coalition and the Global Mutirão (Collective Effort) vision underscored that climate action is a bottom-up movement.

Week One Assessment: Foundations of Implementation and Just Transition

The first week of COP30 laid the foundation of its implementation-focused identity through concrete steps in technology, finance, industry, and social inclusion. During this phase, clear frameworks and financial commitments emerged for integrating climate action across sectors.

Technology, Innovation, and Agricultural Resilience

The first week showcased important initiatives emphasizing the critical role of technology in enhancing climate adaptation and resilience.

• Digital Climate Solutions: The Green Digital Action Hub and the AI Climate Institute were launched to support developing countries in building their own solutions.

• Innovation in Agriculture: Highlights included the Gates Foundation’s 1.45-billion-dollar fund for farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and the Global Methane Hub’s 30-million-dollar allocation for reducing methane emissions from rice production.

• Open-Source Artificial Intelligence: The first open-source AI model developed for agriculture aims to provide adaptation tools to 100 million farmers by 2028.

Activation of Financial Mechanisms

New and enhanced mechanisms were introduced to finance a just transition, particularly improving access to finance for developing countries.

Sectoral Transformation: Energy, Industry, and Transport

Moving away from fossil fuels and advancing green industrialization progressed from planning to implementation through concrete action plans and commitments.

• Sustainable Fuels: The Belém 4X Commitment and the Action Plan for Future Fuels aim to quadruple the use of sustainable fuels by 2035.

• Green Industrialization: The Belém Declaration on Global Green Industrialization, supported by more than 30 governments, was adopted. The Mission Possible Partnership reached an investment volume of 140 billion dollars in clean industry.

• Grids and Storage: The Global Council for Grid and Storage Coordination was established; ADB and the World Bank announced 12.5 billion dollars in financing for the ASEAN Power Grid.

• Transition from Fossil Fuels: The CETP initiative reduced international public finance for fossil projects by 75%, preventing 31 billion dollars in high-carbon investments.

People-Centered Action and Social Inclusion

The first week hosted important initiatives placing people, health, education, and justice at the center of climate transformation.

• Employment and Skills: The Global Initiative on Jobs and Skills for the New Economy highlighted the potential for over 650 million new jobs over the next decade.

• Health and Well-Being: The Belém Health Action Plan (BHAP), developed by Brazil and WHO, was announced with an initial 300-million-dollar investment.

• Justice and Rights: For the first time in COP history, a “Justice Day” was held, culminating in the adoption of the Belém Judges’ Declaration, emphasizing ethics and accountability in climate governance.

• Participation: The conference saw the highest youth participation in three years and introduced new commitments for integrating ancestral Indigenous knowledge into climate policies.

Week Two Assessment: Nature- and Community-Centered Action

Week two emphasized that successful climate action requires centering nature, ecosystems, and the communities that protect them. Forests, oceans, land rights, and food systems became central themes.

Forests, Land Rights, and Bioeconomy

Important steps were taken regarding finance and governance for nature-based solutions.

• Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF): Launched as the world’s largest forest finance mechanism, with 20% of funds allocated directly to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC).

• Bioeconomy and Fire Management: The Bioeconomy Challenge platform aims to operationalize G20 principles, while the Global Fire Management Center will expand early-warning systems across 10 million hectares.

Oceans, Food Systems, and Agriculture

A series of initiatives were announced to protect ecosystems, ensure food security, and promote sustainable use.

• Ocean Action: Seventeen new countries joined the Blue NDC Challenge; the One Ocean Partnership established a global network targeting 20 billion dollars for a Regenerative Blue Economy.

• Agriculture & Food Systems: As a COP30 legacy, the RAIZ Initiative was launched to restore degraded farmland. The TERRA initiative centered on family farming, and PAS plans were announced to support aquatic food systems.

• Fertilizer Emissions: The Belém Fertilizer Declaration provides standards and digital tools to reduce agriculture-related emissions.

Community Leadership and Inclusion

Community leadership and knowledge especially from those on the front lines of climate impacts were emphasized throughout week two.

• Indigenous and Traditional Communities: Discussions focused on governance lessons and integrating ancestral knowledge into adaptation processes.

• Women’s Leadership: Brazil presented the Protocol on Promoting the Leadership of Women and Girls in Climate Emergencies, underscoring gender equality as essential for resilience.

• Youth and Vulnerable Groups: The Youth-Led Climate Forum gathered young leaders from over 100 countries, calling for justice and climate finance. Afro-descendant leadership was honored on Brazil’s National Black Consciousness Day.

Action Agenda and Global Mobilization: Key Outcomes

COP30 introduced two major frameworks for unifying scattered initiatives under one umbrella and systematically tracking progress: the Action Agenda and the Global Mutirão.

• Redefined Action Agenda: COP30 Presidency and Climate Champions consolidated over 480 initiatives into 117 Planning for Accelerated Solutions (PAS) aligned with the Global Stocktake.

These plans aim to drive concrete progress across six pillars:

1. Energy, Industry, and Transport Transformation

2. Forests, Oceans, and Biodiversity Protection

3. Agriculture and Food System Transformation

4. Cities, Infrastructure, and Water

5. Human and Social Development

6. Enablers and Accelerators

• Global Mutirão (Collective Effort): This framework brings a people-centered vision to climate action, promoting community-driven, bottom-up solutions. Key components include the Global Ethics Assessment Report and the Beat the Heat Drive aiming to protect 3.5 billion people from extreme heat.

Processes Toward COP31

One of the major steps taken at COP30 aims to strengthen the credibility and societal support for climate action. To combat climate misinformation, a Declaration on Information Integrity was published. As part of this effort, a Dialogue Roundtable continuing until COP31 was launched to sustain cooperation and dialogue on this issue.

COP31 will be held in 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye. The Leaders’ Summit is planned for Istanbul. Türkiye will serve as the official host, while Australia nominating Adelaide will chair the negotiation process.

For Türkiye, COP31 holds strategic significance: climate finance needs of developing countries, just finance mechanisms, inclusive climate justice, updated NDCs, green transformation projects, carbon pricing/ETS, nature-based solutions, and alignment with EU & global green finance trends may be reflected in Türkiye’s official messaging.