Columbia Energy Exchange A Changing Atmosphere at the Upcoming UN Climate Summit
Nov 4, 2025
Elliot Diringer, an experienced climate diplomat and policy strategist at the Center on Global Energy Policy, discusses the challenges facing the upcoming COP30 in Brazil. He explores the implications of the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and what it means for global emissions. Diringer highlights the slow pace of nations submitting their climate action plans, the critical need for climate finance, and the evolving focus on implementing agreements rather than just negotiating them. He also sheds light on Brazil's new forum addressing climate and trade tensions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Paris Helped But Fell Short
- The Paris Agreement improved the emissions trajectory but fell short of 1.5°C goals.
- Elliot Diringer says current efforts point to ~2.7°C warming, better than pre-Paris but still insufficient.
COPs Are Becoming Implementation Hubs
- COPs are shifting from negotiations to implementation with Paris' rules now in place.
- Diringer highlights the growing role of subnational actors, business, and the COP action agenda in driving climate action.
NDC Submissions Are Late But Promising
- Many countries lag in submitting updated NDCs but submissions show some emissions peaking before 2030.
- Diringer expects most countries to submit NDCs by the end of COP30, potentially bending the emissions curve.