Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast Inside COP: Friday Morning in Belém - what’s changed and why it matters
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Nov 21, 2025 Christiana Figueres, former UN climate chief and Paris Agreement architect, offers her insights from COP30 in Belém. She explains how the new draft text removes crucial roadmaps for transitioning from fossil fuels and halting deforestation, prompting strong backlash from many countries. The atmosphere among delegates has shifted post-disruption, with voices eager to be heard in plenary. Christiana emphasizes the presidency's challenge to achieve consensus while navigating significant pushback, highlighting the ongoing race against time in climate negotiations.
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Presidency's Overnight Rollback
- The Brazilian presidency released an overnight de minimis draft after the venue closure that removed roadmaps and strong finance/adaptation language.
- Christiana Figueres warns this shaved-down text reduces courageous steps and risks weakening political signals from COP30.
Delegates Mobilize Against Weak Text
- Countries pushed back strongly and demanded restoration of roadmaps on fossil fuels and deforestation plus stronger finance and adaptation language.
- Christiana emphasizes these are political signals, not legally binding commitments, but many want a more robust statement.
Use Follow-Up Summits To Operationalize COP Decisions
- Colombia offered to host an April conference to start operationalizing a transition away from fossil fuels and was accepted.
- Use targeted follow-up events to flesh out political decisions into practical roadmaps beyond COP timelines.