HAVET & VANHUFFEL – Association d’avocats
COP30 ends with a minimal agreement on 22 November 2025. While progress was made—such as the tripling of adaptation support for developing countries by 2035—no advancement or roadmap was agreed regarding the phase-out of fossil fuels.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, COP30, held in Belém, Brazil, concluded after roughly ten days of negotiations with an agreement on Saturday, 22 November 2025.
The Parties adopted a text drafted by the Brazilian presidency.
Several advances were achieved, including:
• The agreement provides for mobilizing USD 1.3 trillion per year by 2035, led by developed countries, to support developing countries’ adaptation to the effects of climate change;
• It calls for triping adaptation financing for these countries by 2035;
• It confirms the operational implementation of the Loss and Damage Fund and validates its replenishment cycles;
• It includes the launch of the Global Implementation Accelerator and the Belém Mission towards 1.5 °C, aimed at strengthening ambition and action;
• The agreement acknowledges the Parties’ commitment to intensify efforts against climate-related disinformation, promote information integrity, and counter false claims.
While the agreement emphasizes solidarity and financing, no decisions were taken regarding the energy transition or the phase-out of fossil fuels. This lack of progress is a source of concern for several South American countries, the European Union, and many civil society groups, as fossil fuels remain the main driver of greenhouse gas emissions.
Despite its reservations, the European Union chose to approve the agreement, not wanting the summit to fail to produce a deal, especially given the ongoing challenges to the legitimacy of the COPs. Europe is the continent most committed to the fight against climate change and already has a proactive policy in place. Indeed, Europe is the only major economy to have significantly reduced its emissions (-37%) and accounts for only 6% of global emissions, while financing 30% of international climate aid.
It came to Belém with a similarly proactive stance.
To learn more about the position defended by the European Union during COP30, follow the link: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-10-2025-0254_FR.html.
To access the UN webpage dedicated to COP30, follow the link: https://news.un.org/fr/story/2025/11/1157939.