BBC Inside Science What’s in the wording of the COP 30 negotiations?
Nov 20, 2025
Camilla Bourne, former adviser to the COP26 president, shares her insights on the strategic language used in COP negotiations and its impact on climate diplomacy. Kit Yates, Professor of Mathematical Biology, delves into the mathematical probabilities of breaking sports records and how these relate to climate trends. Georgina Reinhard provides live updates from COP in Belém, emphasizing indigenous involvement and Brazil's political stance. Roland Pease discusses Iran's severe water crisis, exploring the environmental mismanagement behind the drought.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Words Carry Legal Weight At COP
- Word choice in COP texts signals legal weight and intent, so verbs matter hugely.
- Camilla Bourne warns that wording sets direction and can create precedents that shape national policy.
Coal Only Named At COP26
- At COP26 Camilla Bourne pushed to include coal explicitly and succeeded, setting a precedent.
- She highlights that fossil fuels only got named at COP26 despite years of climate talks.
Negotiations Anchor, Delivery Happens Locally
- The UN negotiating process remains a useful anchor but cannot by itself deliver implementation.
- Camilla Bourne says real delivery now happens at community, national and regional levels.