Overview
- Talks began with calls for collective action from COP30 president André Corrêa do Lago, echoed by UN climate chief Simon Stiell, who urged faster delivery as climate damages mount.
- United States participation is limited to lower‑level officials as the country withdraws from the Paris Agreement, a move small island states say alters the balance of the negotiations.
- Only 64 of 197 parties submitted updated plans by 30 September, pointing to roughly 2.3–2.5°C of warming this century versus about 2.8°C under current policies.
- Scientific services report rapid escalation since 2015, including a ~0.46°C temperature rise, major ice loss and faster sea‑level increases, prompting UN leaders to warn that breaching 1.5°C is likely.
- Negotiators are working to operationalize the Loss and Damage fund and identify new revenue sources, as debates over finance scale up from a $300 billion annual goal for 2035 toward $1.3 trillion, while the EU’s new carbon‑credit flexibilities draw NGO criticism.