The Climate Briefing What happened at COP30?
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Nov 26, 2025 
Jennifer Morgan, a climate policy expert and former German State Secretary, joins David Waskow, Director of the International Climate Initiative, to dissect the outcomes of COP30 in Belém. They discuss the conference's goals on adaptation finance and fossil fuel transitions. Key insights include the need for a science-based roadmap for fossil fuel phase-out and a tripling of adaptation finance by 2035. The dynamics of US withdrawal and China's cautious role are also explored, alongside rising public advocacy for a just transition.
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COP30 Balanced Politics And Science
- COP30 evaluated incoming NDCs to see whether the 1.5°C goal remained achievable.
- Jennifer Morgan warned outcomes advanced geopolitics but fell short of climate science needs.
NDCs Narrow But Don't Close The Gap
- Over 100 countries submitted NDCs, yielding ~3.5–4 Gt of reductions but leaving a huge 1.5°C gap.
- David Waskow highlighted the gap: 16 Gt to 2°C and 27 Gt to 1.5°C.
Fossil-Fuel Transition Became Central
- Fossil-fuel transition dominated discussions and drew support from ~80–100 countries.
- Jennifer Morgan said momentum grew despite inability to enshrine the roadmap in the text.