A Divided COP30 Reaches a Last-Minute Deal

The United Nations has warned that the world is not winning the fight against the climate crisis, although global efforts continue despite major political divides. Speaking in Belém, Brazil, after an intense and highly contested COP30 summit, UN climate chief Simon Stiell emphasized that “climate cooperation is alive and kicking.”

A Divided COP30 Reaches a Last-Minute Deal

Countries at COP30 failed to agree on a clear phase-out of fossil fuels, largely due to resistance led by Saudi Arabia. Hopes of delivering a major breakthrough in ending global deforestation – especially significant at a summit held in the Amazon – also fell short.

Nevertheless, in a world shaken by nationalism, war, and distrust, the talks narrowly avoided collapse. Stiell acknowledged the difficult political backdrop, saying global cooperation has suffered “heavy blows” this year. Yet the survival of a final agreement proved that multilateralism remains intact, even if only barely.

Stiell: ‘We Are Still Fighting Back’

While Stiell stressed that the world is far from winning the climate battle, he insisted that global efforts continue:

“Nations chose unity, science, and economic common sense. Despite strong political headwinds, 194 countries stood firm in support of climate cooperation.”

He highlighted a key section of the COP30 agreement declaring that the transition toward low-emissions and climate-resilient development is irreversible. This, he said, sends a powerful political and market signal.

Overnight Negotiations Prevent Failure

After more than two weeks of negotiations, confusion and disputes pushed the summit to the brink of collapse. Only after intense overnight discussions did nations agree to a final package.

The deal includes:

• A commitment to triple adaptation funding
• Agreement on a Just Transition Mechanism (JTM)
• Formal recognition of Indigenous peoples’ rights

However, plans to map out fossil-fuel transition roadmaps and end deforestation were postponed and handed off to voluntary coalitions outside the UN process. Food system impacts – including cattle-driven Amazon deforestation – were largely ignored.

Criticism: ‘A Whimper of Disappointment’

The final outcome was widely seen as incremental and insufficient. Greenpeace International’s Jasper Inventor said COP30 “started with ambition but ended with disappointment.”

UN Secretary General António Guterres agreed that the gap between current action and scientific necessity remains “dangerously wide.” With global geopolitics increasingly fragmented, reaching consensus is becoming harder.

Mixed Reactions from Leaders and Experts

EU environment commissioner Wopke Hoekstra called the result “not perfect but a big step in the right direction,” praising unity within the EU despite internal tension.

Chatham House researcher Anna Åberg said that simply avoiding a COP collapse was positive, given the global political climate.

Yet frustration remains strong over the decision to delay adaptation finance goals to 2035. Mamadou Ndong Toure of Practical Action warned that vulnerable communities need predictable, accountable funding now—not later.