General context
From November 10 to 21, 2025, the city of Belém, Brazil, will host representatives of more than 190 delegations at the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The summit coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement and comes at a crucial moment for climate multilateralism, marked by geopolitical tensions and a growing mobilization of the private sector.
What is the COP and what is its relevance?
The COP (Conference Of the Parties) is the annual meeting of the countries that make up the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, adopted in 1992. At these meetings, the States Parties to the UNFCCC assess progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, review commitments and negotiate agreements to limit the increase in global temperature.
The COP is a global space that brings together thousands of actors – governments, businesses, researchers and civil society – around climate action and the transition to sustainable economies.
Key issues at COP30
Among the main topics on the agenda of this COP are:
- New national commitments (NDCs 3.0): countries must submit their emission reduction plans for the period 2025-2035. To date, only 69 economies – responsible for 61% of global emissions – have submitted their updated NDCs, reflecting insufficient progress towards the goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C.
- Climate finance: the aim is to move towards the global target of 1.3 trillion dollars per year by 2035, encouraging the participation of the private sector. COP30 should define the “Baku to Belém Roadmap” to close the financing gap in mitigation and adaptation.
- Protecting nature: with the Amazon as a backdrop, the Tropical Forest Forever Facility is launched, a fund of up to US$125 billion to compensate countries that conserve tropical forests; at least 20% of the resources will go directly to indigenous and local communities.
- Transformation of food systems: agriculture and land use generate one third of global emissions. COP30 promotes a transition to sustainable production models, with Brazil leading the way as an agrifood powerhouse.
Relevance to the business sector
- COP30 coincides with a moment of significant private sector progress on climate action: between 2019 and 2023, companies in the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders reduced their emissions by 12% while increasing revenues by 20%. Continued momentum will depend on governments renewing the political will needed to unlock the economic potential offered by climate action.
- The clean technology market, which already exceeds US$700 billion per year, is expected to grow steadily.
- The decisions adopted could strengthen ESG standards, climate risk disclosure requirements and incentives for sustainable investment.
- Companies should anticipate regulatory and financial adjustments, especially in the areas of emissions, green finance and sustainable supply chain.
Defined as “the COP of implementation“, this edition seeks to translate previous commitments into tangible actions, reinforcing public-private cooperation and the role of green finance. Its outcomes will define the direction of global climate and finance policies over the next decade.
At Vega, Guerrero & Asociados we continue to monitor the agreements and mechanisms derived from COP30 to identify their possible effects on the regulatory framework and the opportunities for transition to sustainable economies. If you have any questions, please contact us.
