COP30 in Belém delivered mixed but significant outcomes as countries agreed on several key issues and took the resolve to take decisive actions to strengthen global climate mitigation response. They committed to mobilizing $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 to scale up climate finance, while also pledging to double adaptation finance by 2025 and triple it by 2035 to enable in building resilience across vulnerable nations. To accelerate progress, delegates launched the Global Implementation Accelerator and the Belém Mission to 1.5°C, aimed at driving ambition and coordinated action. Additionally, Parties committed to promoting information integrity and countering climate disinformation to support science-based policymaking.

The cover story of this edition of TerraGreen examines the outcomes of COP30 in Belém, highlighting the sharp divide between ambition and delivery, particularly on climate finance and mitigation. The article throws light on disagreements over the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), adaptation finance, and the Mitigation Work Programme (MWP) which eventually resulted in deep North–South divide. While COP30 advanced work on the Global Goal on adaptation, just transition, and ocean-climate action, it failed to secure consensus on critical finance and fossil-fuel phase-out issues.

The deal finalized at COP30 commits more funding to help countries adapt to climate change, but it lacks explicit plans to transition away from fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gas — the main drivers of global warming. This commitment, along with other outcomes from the Summit, is significant, yet still falls short of what science shows is necessary. While previous COPs have largely centred on mitigation, this year’s conference placed unprecedented emphasis on “adaptation” and a “just transition.” It is evident from the last few COPs that moving forward countries must convert promises and pledges into real progress. The window to keep 1.5°C within reach is rapidly closing, and decisive action is more urgent than ever.

We believe you will find each article in this issue thought-provoking and motivating, reinforcing our shared resolve to protect the planet’s fragile equilibrium and advance towards a sustainable, carbon-neutral future.